Painting Vinyl Surfaces

If you have vinyl siding and have been wanting to change the color you’re in luck! Vinyl surfaces like siding and shutters can be painted. The three most important factors when painting vinyl is the product, the color, and the age of the surface being painted.

Product: Most exterior and interior paints are designed to be used on vinyl and many other surfaces. You can check with the supplier or read the back of the can to ensure that the paint you have picked is appropriate. We use paint from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams that is compatible with painting vinyl surfaces.

Color: The color chosen is the most crucial part of painting vinyl surfaces. You must use a vinyl-safe formula that eliminates black colorant from the formula which helps reduce the heat absorbed on the surface. The safest choice is to choose a color that is within two shades of your current color if you plan to go darker. If you currently have white siding or shutters and want to paint it a very dark gray/black there is a risk of warping due to the drastic color change. The dark color will absorb more heat and it’s essential to use a vinyl-safe formula to reduce the risk. If you currently have a dark color then you can choose any dark or light color without the worry of potential warping.

Age of Surface: Older and weathered vinyl surfaces that are in good condition but sun faded are great candidates for painting! They need minimal prep that includes a good washing before painting. Newer vinyl surfaces tend to be slick and/or shiny and need a bit more prep before they can be painted. This typically includes roughing up the surface by sanding and/or applying a bonding primer to ensure proper adhesion.