Many of our clients wonder, “Can you paint vinyl siding?”. The quick answer is yes, and you probably should under certain situations!
Although vinyl siding has good decay resistance, it’s not fully invincible to wear and tear. At some point, harsh outdoor elements, like UV rays, will cause its color to fade and the material to become brittle.
The good thing is that painting can help delay these damages – but only if you do it right. So, for this post, we answered the question, “Can you paint vinyl siding house?” together with tips and tricks on how you should do it correctly.
Keep reading and see how you can use paint to extend the lifespan of your vinyl siding!
Can you paint vinyl siding?
Yes, you can paint over vinyl siding if you want to spruce up its curb appeal and weather protection. It’s a good way to give your exterior a facelift, but make sure that you consider the following first:
- Does your siding still have warranty coverage? If so, painting will void your coverage. But if the warranty isn’t a big deal for you, then the painting would be a low-cost option to address minor damages.
- Does your siding have extensive damage? Take note that you should never try to hide damage with paint! Doing so will only make things worse – and expensive – in the long run. Instead, consider doing some repairs first before you start a paint job.
- Is the weather ideal for painting? Anywhere from 50F to 85F is the ideal temperature for painting vinyl siding. Also, avoid painting under direct sunlight or very humid conditions, as this will negatively impact the results. Also, avoid painting your home’s exterior on very windy days, especially if you’re using a spray painter.
- What are your local HOA rules about exterior painting? If you live in an HOA neighborhood, make sure you check the regulations when it comes to exterior upgrades. For example, some HOAs will have color preferences or a list of contractors you can contact to get the job done.
Benefits of painting your vinyl siding
So, can you paint the exterior vinyl siding? Yes, and it actually brings the following benefits:
- Less expensive than replacing your siding. Painting your siding in Mankato is more affordable than replacing faded or outdated ones. Still, this is as long as your current siding is in good condition and doesn’t have extensive damage that already requires replacements.
- Enhance your home’s curb appeal instantly. Does faded siding make your home look drab? A fresh coat of paint might be the solution you need to restore the visual appeal of your property. The best part is you can choose the color that ties up your entire exterior!
- Delay natural wear and tear. Painting can also be proactive vinyl siding maintenance against natural wear and tear. The layer of paint will act as a defense against harsh sunlight, moisture, and other elements. In the long run, this will make your siding last longer.
- Fix discoloration at a low cost. If you don’t have the budget for the cost of new siding in Mankato, then painting would be a good substitute. This way, you can restore the color of your vinyl siding for a fraction of the price of a new installation.
Tips when painting vinyl siding
As we’ve mentioned earlier, painting your vinyl siding is only as good as how you do it. So, to make sure you’ll get a smooth finish, you should keep the following tips in mind:
1. Choose the right paint color
Can you paint the vinyl siding black? How about white? Or red? Paint color is a very important consideration, whether you’re painting the exterior or interior part of your house. It’s also crucial when it comes to your siding since it will impact your home’s energy efficiency.
Basically, you’d want to paint your vinyl siding with light colors so it will reflect and not absorb heat. Overall, we advise our clients to avoid painting with a color that’s darker than their original siding.
While you can always opt for darker shades, take note that its heat-absorbing properties could make your vinyl siding brittle faster. It will also lead to buckling, warping, or peeling of the paint over time.
2. Schedule your paint job wisely
The weather can be your friend or foe when doing an exterior paint job. A nice breeze can help dry the paint faster, but strong gusts could lead to over-spraying, contaminated paint, and uneven application. Worse, a heavy downpour could wash away hours of hard work down the drain.
Instead of letting this happen, you should mind the weather if you’re planning to paint your vinyl siding. As we’ve said earlier, 50F to 85F is the sweet spot if you want a good paint finish. Aside from that, watch out for strong winds, especially if you live in a rather gusty area.
3. Clean the siding before painting
Remember that paint isn’t meant to hide years of dirt on your vinyl siding. It’s important to wash your dirty siding with laundry detergent and water before you start the paint job. Take note that a dirty surface won’t let the paint stick or dry well.
If there’s deep-seated gunk on your sidings, you can use a bristled brush to scrub them away. After that, rinse the siding thoroughly and let it dry before proceeding with the next tip.
4. Always apply a primer first
If you’ve been doing paint jobs before, you know the golden rule: never skip the primer! A nicely applied primer will ensure that your paint will stick well to the vinyl siding. It will also act as a sealing agent to prevent the material from absorbing too much paint.
Just make sure you use a primer made specifically for vinyl surfaces. Also, you only need to apply a thin layer throughout your siding. And like any coat, make sure it dries well before you start working on your paint.
5. Apply thin and even coats
Once your primer is bone-dry, you can start applying your choice of vinyl-compatible paint. There are several painting methods you can use, including the following:
- Spray painting. This is the most common method Mankato homeowners prefer since it applies paint fast, evenly, and without the roller or brush marks. However, you’ll need to prep the surrounding areas to avoid overspray, especially on windy days.
- Roller painting. If you don’t have a sprayer, the next best option is roller painting. This is less messy than spraying, but it will take a lot more ‘elbow grease’ to cover the entire siding. You may also need to do some brush painting to reach nooks and corners that the roller can’t cover.
- Brush painting. You can also paint your vinyl siding the traditional way using a high-quality paint brush. This is more precise than spray painting or roller painting but will take the most effort. Also, you’ll need a sturdy ladder to reach the higher parts of your home’s exterior.
Whichever method you choose, make sure you only apply one thin coat at a time. This is to prevent runs or streaks, which occur when the excess paint drips downward.
6. Let each coat dry properly
For the best finish, you should wait for each coat to dry before applying another one. This is to ensure that each coat will adhere to the vinyl siding properly. It will also prevent smudging, which will mar the finish of your paint job if you apply a new coat too fast.
Overall, you may only need 2 to 3 coats when painting your vinyl siding. You can also look for fast-drying vinyl paint to speed up the process.
7. Always keep a wet edge
You should also keep a wet edge when painting your vinyl siding. Basically, this means keeping the edges of the application wet when overlapping it with another brush stroke or paint spray. This way, the overlapping application will blend well and won’t leave ugly ‘lap’ marks.
With that, avoid making long stops when applying a new coat on your vinyl siding. Make sure that you’re all set to finish one coat as fast as possible without compromising the quality of your paint job.
8. Work from top to bottom
Painting your vinyl siding from top to bottom will give you a clean finish. After all, you wouldn’t want your freshly painted layer to get drips and runs when you work the other way around. Overall, this will give you a uniform finish and prevent you from contaminating the painted areas as you finish each coat.
Mistakes to avoid when painting vinyl siding
Can you paint vinyl siding on your house? Yes, but just make sure you avoid these common pitfalls:
- Not patch testing. Paint products aren’t made equal. Some of them may not stick well to your vinyl siding, so make sure you patch test first before applying it to your entire exterior.
- Rushing the project. As much as you want to paint your siding fast, rushing the job may end up with bad results. Remember, your exterior will impact your home’s curb appeal, so it’s best to dedicate your time when doing a paint job.
- Using old paint. Never use paint that’s already past its expiration date or already has a rough consistency. This won’t give you a smooth finish, and you’ll end up redoing the entire project, which will cost more time and money.
- Not preparing the area. Make sure you have drop cloths in place before you start painting. This is to prevent paint from getting into your driveway, landscaping, and other areas that will be difficult to clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you paint 20 year old vinyl siding?
Some of our clients ask, “Can you paint a house with vinyl siding that’s over 20 years old?” We always advise replacing your vinyl siding if it’s already more than two decades old. While painting will let you buy time in terms of damages, it won’t last long until you need to do repairs.
So, instead of going through the hassle and expense of painting, you might as well hire a contractor like Boelter Siding Company to do the replacements for you.
Can you paint the vinyl siding darker?
We don’t advise using dark paint colors as these absorb a lot of heat, which will make your home less energy-efficient.
Can you spray paint vinyl siding?
Many wonder, “Can you paint vinyl siding with a sprayer?”. Yes, you can use a sprayer, which is actually the most common method of painting siding in Mankato, MN.
Can you paint vinyl siding with a roller?
Yes, rollers work well when painting vinyl siding as long as you don’t overload it with paint. Always watch out for the thickness of each coat to avoid smudging.
Can you paint vinyl siding on a house, or is it better to replace it?
If your vinyl siding is faded but still in good condition, painting can be a practical solution. However, if it’s already old and heavily damaged, upgrading to insulated vinyl siding would be worth it.
Can you paint over vinyl siding if it’s already been painted?
Yes, you can repaint vinyl siding, but you may have to strip the old paint if it’s already flaking or peeling.
Can you paint siding vinyl yourself?
Yes, you can do DIY vinyl painting for your home’s siding as long as you get the right paint product and materials.
Can you paint vinyl siding on a home if it’s rainy or humid?
It’s not a good idea to paint siding during rainy or humid days. You should consider doing it on sunny days with temperatures not over 90F.
Can you paint vinyl house siding if it’s cracked or already stiff?
If your vinyl siding is already cracked or stiff, replacements might be a better solution than painting. In that case, you can contact us here at BoelterisBetter, and we’ll provide quality vinyl siding replacements for your property!
Can you paint vinyl siding on a house if it’s textured?
Yes, it’s possible to paint textured vinyl siding, with spray painting as the best method. Spraying will cover the tiny crevices of your textured siding properly, and you can also do touch-ups using a paintbrush.
