When (and How) to Paint Vinyl Siding
The whole point of vinyl siding is that it doesn’t need to be painted and will last for decades, but there are actually many good reasons to consider painting your vinyl siding. First, it allows you to refresh and transform the look of your home—if your siding is faded and weathered, a coat of paint will do wonders. On the other hand, if your siding is in decent condition, a coat of paint can extend its life: Most vinyl siding lasts about 30-40 years , and painting it every ten years or so can help you get the most out of it. saving your money.
How much money? Including materials and installation, vinyl siding replacement can cost around $18,000, with an average cost of just under $12,000 . Painting is much less expensive, costing you an average of $4,000 depending on the size of the home. And if you do the job yourself (which is entirely possible), you can get it done for about $1,000 . It’s a good deal and it’s easier than you think.
Choose the right paint
Your first step is to choose the right paint. Until recently, it was impossible to paint vinyl siding—the material is designed to expand and contract with the weather, and old-school paint couldn’t flex enough, resulting in almost instantaneous cracking and peeling. Today you can find exterior paints specifically formulated for vinyl siding that can stretch and shrink with it.
Choosing the right paint composition is just one point that you should pay attention to. Another thing is color. Because your siding is constantly exposed to sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, it can absorb a lot of heat and is often color-graded to do so. It’s possible that painting a darker color will affect the sizing , causing warping, so it’s best to stick with a similar or lighter shade .
You should also plan to use an appropriately formulated primer. You can get by without priming your siding first, but why risk the paint peeling months after you spend a few days painting it?
Use the right tools
The success of any painting job depends not only on the paint, but also on the tools. You need to make sure you have the following:
- Soft bristle brush (car wash brushes work like a charm here)
- A power washer is optional, but effective.
- A ladder that can reach the top floor of your home
- Paint supplies including bucket, rag, masking tape, roller, brushes and paint tray.
- A paint sprayer is also optional, but it can speed up the job significantly.
How to Paint Vinyl Siding
Once you’ve chosen your paint color, your next step is to check the local weather forecast. You will need several days without rain and should avoid extreme heat or cold. Cloudy weather will be ideal, in which the sun will not hit the drying paint.
Once you’ve planned your painting project, it’s a fairly simple process:
- Clean. It is always important that the surface being painted is clean and free of debris. Clean thoroughly with powder detergent (Spic and Span are great) or trisodium phosphate (TSP). You can either wash the siding or use a soft bristle brush to do this.
- Clean and repair. Rinse thoroughly and then inspect the siding. Repair any damaged areas—exterior putty can be used to fill small holes or dents. More severe damage may require replacing an entire section, but the good news is that you don’t have to match the colors too closely since you’re painting anyway.
- Dry. Allow the siding to dry for at least two days. Water can accumulate in grooves and voids in the siding, especially if you used a power washer.
- Tape and mask. Cover any areas you don’t want painted, such as trim, windows and doors. This is especially important if you are using a spray bottle.
- Basic. Apply primer according to manufacturer’s instructions and allow to dry.
- Dye. Start by brushing around corners, windows and doors. You can paint the siding with a brush and roller, but keep in mind that they will likely leave visible marks. The spray will provide a smoother surface.
Painting vinyl siding is similar to any painting project, but can take a lot of time and effort. You should also keep an eye on the paint job for a few weeks after finishing—your siding is designed to shrink and expand based on temperature. If it gets too hot after painting, the expansion may expose unpainted areas in thin lines that you will have to touch up.