Vinyl siding is great for the exterior of your home if you want something hassle-free and low maintenance. The material is already painted, so you don’t have to worry about painting or choosing paint. Although, the color does fade over time.
The surface may even be at risk of an uneven finish due to sun exposure hitting the vinyl surface differently.
There’s a silver lining to this, though: you can paint vinyl siding, and it’s relatively easy enough that you can do it yourself! We’ll give you a few tips on how to paint vinyl siding.
Before You Start
Woah, keep calm and put away your paintbrushes first. It’s imperative for you to check a few things before you begin.
Having installed that vinyl siding in the first place will have guaranteed you a form of warranty at some point. You may want to check if painting over it voids its warranty if the warranty is still active and in place. If the warranty says it’s okay to paint over it, make sure that you check the requirements carefully on what type and color of paint to use so you don’t breach any stipulations.
You also need to check what the weather will be like in the next couple of days. You should only work with vinyl if the weather is optimal, meaning neither too hot nor too windy. Should the weather be too hot or too windy, the paint may not adhere properly. You want that sweet spot of mild temperature, low humidity, and cloudy skies.
Clean the Siding First
Just like with any paint job, you want to make sure you clean the surface first before proceeding with the paint. Simply running the power hose over it won’t do though, as this will just cause the water to pool in the underside of the siding.
It’s best to hand-scrub the siding using a sponge, brush, or rag.
Remove all traces of dirt, grease, and chalkiness using a simple mixture of water, household cleaner, and laundry detergent. Direct the water stream downwards while rinsing to prevent the water from pooling in the underside of the siding.
Make sure to rinse off thoroughly afterward to eliminate all residue.
You should allow the siding to dry off completely first before proceeding to paint.
Choose the Right Paint
Choosing the right kind of paint is crucial for any outdoor paint job. It ensures that your job looks great for a long period of time without frequent retouching, which will save you much time and effort. The same can be said of painting your vinyl siding.
You want to choose a paint that contains acrylic and urethane resin. This helps the coating to stick to the vinyl surface. Latex urethane paint is specially formulated for outdoor use.
You also should choose a color that is the same shade or lighter than your current vinyl siding color. Darker-colored paint will retain more heat from the sun and will induce premature warping, which you don’t want.
Paint manufacturers offer paint specifically for vinyl siding; it’s an excellent idea to pick this up to save you the hassle of choosing.
Mask Off Edges and Corners
After the siding has completely dried, you want to make sure that you mask off areas that you don’t want to be painted over, like doors, windows, hardware, and trim.
Apply Primer to the Surface
Applying primer is optional. This step is only necessary if the original paint has completely worn off or become porous and pitted.
Start Painting!
You can use either a roller brush or a paint sprayer to apply paint to the vinyl siding. Use a brush for edges and corners for precision. Take your time and make sure to apply an even coating all over.
After finishing the first coat, you should let the paint dry before applying a second coat. The second coat needs to dry for at least 24 hours before you can consider the job complete. After the day is up, assess the surface carefully and decide if it needs a third coating. If not, your job is done!
And if the whole process is done correctly, you can expect the paint job to last you ten years. Talk about saving time and effort!
If you can tackle this big project, we’re so happy to be able to help. If you feel this is too big of a project for you to DIY, contact your local Shamrock Roofing office and we’d be happy to help!