Your home has vinyl siding, and it’s still in great shape. There are no holes or gaps, and you think you can get several more years out of it.

But there’s one thing that’s bugging you: It isn’t the right color.

Whether you’ve got boring neutral siding and want something a little more bold, or the previous owners went a little too wild with their imaginations and you want to tone it down a little, you may be wondering if there’s hope for your unfortunately colored vinyl siding.

Good news! You can paint your vinyl siding with some preparation and know-how.

Before You Paint

Hold off on getting out all those brushes and paint cans; there are a few things you need to keep in mind when preparing to paint your vinyl siding.

Check Your Warranty

Before you paint your vinyl siding, check the warranty.

If the warranty is still active, confirm that painting your siding won’t void the warranty. If it will, you may want to wait and save up to replace the siding.

For warranties that do permit painting, be sure that you follow all the manufacturer’s stipulations for type and color of paint to use. Using the wrong products, even if painting is allowed, will still void the warranty and leave you out of luck if you find a defect.

If the warranty isn’t active, you’re good to go!

Using Primer

Whether or not you use primer depends greatly on who you talk to about painting your siding.

Some people recommend using primer all the time, while others recommend it only in cases where the siding is pitted or shows signs of other deterioration.

A good rule of thumb is to follow the recommendations of your paint manufacturer regarding primer. If primer is recommended on the can for your colored paint, then you probably should use it.

Just remember that paint sticks to the layer beneath it, so be sure any primer you use is formulated so your paint will stick to it.

Expect Expansion

Your siding takes a beating, and you need to make sure the paint you choose is up to the job.

Vinyl siding is manufactured to expand and contract with the weather conditions. This may mean you’ll see a gap in your paint colors at the seams during colder weather.

Choose Color Carefully

Vinyl siding is created to absorb a certain amount of heat. Because of this, you shouldn’t choose a paint color that’s darker than the color of your current siding. If you do, you run the risk that the siding will become too hot and crack.

How to Paint Vinyl Siding

Painting vinyl siding is a big job, but it’s not something that’s insurmountable as long as you’re prepared.

Here are the steps you need to follow to paint your vinyl siding:

Gather Materials

To paint your vinyl siding, you will need:

Garden hose with spray nozzle
Bucket
Powdered laundry detergent
General-purpose cleaning powder
Oxygen bleach
Soft-bristle brush, sponges, or rags
Painter’s tape
Masking material
Paint roller with ½-inch nap roller covers or spray paint equipment
Paintbrushes

Mix the Cleaner

In your bucket, mix a cleaning solution of ⅓ cup powdered detergent, ⅔ cup cleaning powder, and ⅔ cup oxygen bleach for each gallon of water.

Clean the Siding

Begin by rinsing your siding with the hose with spray nozzle. This removes any loose dirt and debris.

Next, gently scrub the siding with your cleaner and a soft-bristle brush, sponge, or rag. Work in small sections from the bottom up, thoroughly rinsing each section as you finish.

Hand-scrubbing is much more effective than power-washing, getting your siding better prepared for the new layers of paint.

Allow the siding to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Mask off Trim, Doors, & Windows

Using your painter’s tape and masking material, cover any areas you don’t want painted or where you wouldn’t want accidental paint drips. This includes doors, windows, trim, and any hardware.

Prime Siding

If you’re using a primer, carefully apply it to the siding using your roller, paint sprayer, or brush.

For roller or paint sprayer applications, always backbrush, meaning you follow up the roller or sprayer application with a brush to smooth out the surface and remove drips or heavy application.

Allow the primer to dry per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Apply Paint

Paint your siding using the same technique you used for painting, applying an even coat to the siding. Allow the paint to dry per the manufacturer’s instructions, then apply a second coat.

Clean up the Painting Site

Once the paint has dried, remove all masking materials and make any touch-ups that may be necessary.

Professional Vinyl Siding Installation in MD

At Select Home Exteriors, we realize your home is your biggest asset. That’s why we work hard to help you keep it in the best shape possible, whether you plan to live there for years or are preparing to sell. Our professional siding installers make quick work of your siding installation project, taking exceptional care in everything we do. Schedule your free siding consultation today!

Can You Paint Vinyl Siding?