Vinyl siding has over the years gained popularity because it’s durable, cheaper, and doesn’t require maintenance. However, having this material on the exterior surfaces of your home might at times limit you as its material comprises a color that may not be appealing to you. The vinyl siding can also fade away after overexposure to sunlight, or you might have cracks and peels, making it look uncared for.
You can paint vinyl siding to a color of choice and make it look newer and cared for. Painting these surfaces will save you more money than replacing the vinyl siding, which is expensive. However, you have to select the paint color wisely, as some colors can lead to overheating.
So, if you’re planning to paint your vinyl siding, this article has your back. We’ll show you a step to step guide on how to do this.
Pros And Cons of Painting Vinyl Siding
It’s acceptable to paint the vinyl siding if you need a new look or feel it has more peels and cracks, making it unattractive. Painting it will extend its lifespan and give your building a better look after it fades. It will also help conceal holes that allow water to get to the interior surfaces, causing more damage.
While planning to paint the vinyl sidings in your home, you need to know the advantages and disadvantages that come with it. We’ll help you understand why it’s a good choice and its cons.
Pros Of Painting Vinyl Siding
The advantages of painting vinyl siding include;
- It Helps Beautify Your Home
Your home will have a different look from what it was before painting. Remember having faded vinyl siding at home makes them look ugly and uncared for. But with your favorite paint color, it will look newer and more beautiful. The paint will also help conceal imperfections on the exterior surfaces.
- Cost-Effective
You will not spend much money painting faded vinyl siding. Doing this is much cheaper than replacing the whole exterior surface. You’ll save some money if you do it as a DIY project. Hiring professionals to do this work for you is expensive as you have to pay them and buy the paint separately.
- Adds More Value to Your Home
Your home’s face value will increase after painting. This is because the paint conceals the peels, dents, and faded areas. So, if you want to sell your home or rent it out, it’s best to paint the vinyl siding to attract high bidders.
- Enables The Exterior Surfaces to Last Longer
Painting vinyl siding will help extend its lifespan. The paint forms a protective layer that repels sunlight and water onto the surface. The paint will also make it withstand extreme weather conditions enabling it to last longer.
Cons Of Painting Vinyl Siding
While painting vinyl siding makes it attractive and new, it’s all not a bed of roses. Here are some cons that come with it.
- Painting Can Damage the Siding Further
If your siding had cracks and peels before painting, the paint could worsen the situation, especially if not done well. The vinyl siding will afterward peel and show the cracks over the paint, making the surfaces look uglier.
- Wrong Color Choice Can Spoil Everything
Before you paint vinyl siding, it’s advisable to choose the right color that won’t affect it. Remember, darker paints absorb more heat. So, if you select a darker shade for your vinyl siding, its heat absorption rate will increase, affecting its smoothness and straightness. Work with lighter colored paints on the vinyl siding.
- It May Affects the Warranty Agreement
If your vinyl siding is still newer, then the chances that its warranty is active are high. However, if you opt to paint them, it might affect the terms and conditions of this agreement. It’s advisable to check the warranty period and the terms and conditions before painting. Doing this can save your back if you need replacements.
- Painted Siding Will Not Last as Newer Ones
Even though painting can extend the life of your vinyl siding, it won’t last longer than when you replace them with new ones. If you paint the exterior surfaces, it can last up to 5 years, requiring you to repaint. However, if you replace them, they’ll last more than ten years without any maintenance.
What Kind of Paint to Use on Siding?
If you want to paint your vinyl siding, it’s best to know the kind of paint to use that will give the best results. Remember you can’t use any paint type as this can cause more harm than benefits. That’s why you need to use paint meant for vinyl siding.
The best paint for vinyl siding is acrylic paint which is lightweight and holds better on vinyl siding. It’s a better pick because it can withstand the contractions and expansions in vinyl when there are temperature changes. In this case, the acrylic paint will prevent the siding from cracking and peeling.
When using acrylic, you first prime the surfaces, then paint. But then, when using acrylic paint on the vinyl siding, you have to do enough coats to get satisfactory results. Two coats will do you good. Note that if you use thicker paint, it will flake off after some time which is not commendable.
Choose Color Wisely
Additionally, you should be careful with the color of paint you use. Avoid darker colors as they absorb more heat to the vinyl surface affecting its appearance. Don’t paint black, dark gray, or dark blue to get amazing results. It’s advisable to paint the same color shade on the vinyl siding surfaces. If you don’t know the right color to pick on for your siding, you can ask the experts at the hardware where you’ll make the purchases.
How To Paint Vinyl Siding? (Step by Step)
After identifying the right paint to use on your vinyl siding, the next step should be to paint the surfaces. You can do that by;
Materials/tools needed:
- Vinyl paint
- Garden hose
- Water
- Soap
- Primer
- Paintbrush/sprayer
- Masking paper/painter’s tape
- Soft brush
Step 1: Clean the Siding
You need to clean the siding before painting to remove dirt that might cause ugly bumps after you’re done. Use a hose to remove the top dirt layer. Then pour enough water into a basin and mix with detergent or soap.
After that, use the mixture to wash the siding with a soft brush or sponge to remove the remaining dirt, debris, and grease. Start from the top going downwards, and ensure you rinse each area well after scrubbing. Avoid letting it go behind the vinyl to reduce mold growth when pouring water. Then let it dry before going to the next step.
Step 2: Work on Damaged Areas
After cleaning the siding, you’ll be able to spot imperfections on it. Look at those which you can repair and do the needful. Check for holes, cracks, and scratches and work on them. Remember having holes or cracks on the vinyl siding will allow pests and moisture as they’ll have a way to get through.
This will result in damages like the wood rotting and mold growth because of excess water. You can caulk the small holes or patch them. It’s best to replace vinyl siding with bigger cracks or holes.
Step 3: Cover the Areas Around Where You Want to Paint
Use masking tape to cover the areas around the vinyl siding that you don’t want to paint. Mask the windows and hardware or remove some which are replaceable. Take this opportunity to clear your work area to enable you to paint without any obstacles. Remove things like plant pots, furniture, or décor.
Step 4: Prime the Surfaces
You should then prime the vinyl siding to hide any visible imperfections. Priming will also enable you to have smooth surfaces that are uniform after painting. A paintbrush or sprayer will help you apply the primer faster.
Give the primer time to cure. You can give it about an hour to dry. This will depend on the primer band you’re using.
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Step 5: Paint the Vinyl Siding
After the primer dries, it’s time to apply the paint. You can use a sprayer or paintbrush to do this. But ensure you get smooth and attractive layers. If you use a sprayer, you have to smoothen the surface with a brush.
Apply the first coat of paint. Ensure you don’t do a thick coat in one area as it will require more time to cure. Instead, evenly distribute the paint over the vinyl siding. Let the layer dry well.
After that, do the second layer and allow it to dry. Usually, two coats are enough to give your vinyl siding a new look. However, if you realize some imperfections, a third layer might be necessary.
Step 6: Remove the Masking Materials
Finally, remove the covers on the windows after the second coat dries. Also, clean your work area to have a presentable home. Return the things you removed, like décor and furniture.
Brush Vs Spray Vinyl Siding Paint
You’re main aim when painting vinyl siding is to get a perfect look to make your house beautiful. Deciding whether to brush or spray can be challenging as you’ll keep weighing which one is the best. So, which is better between brushing and painting?
Understanding the Difference Between Brushing and Spraying
If you want to settle for any painting techniques, the best way to do that is to understand their differences. The main difference between the two is in the smoothness of the finish. If you spray vinyl siding, you’ll get a smooth finish, but the paint will be unevenly distributed, requiring you to brush further. But when you use a paintbrush, the outcome will be great as the surface will be even, and you’ll not have to redo the work.
Pros And Cons of Spraying
Pros
- It’s quick and easy to do
- It gives a smooth application
Cons
- It isn’t easy to spray on a windy day
- It requires more paint, making it a costly method
- The sprayer may spill the paint on windows or furniture on a windy day if not well covered.
- It doesn’t create even surfaces and leaves some areas unattended on the vinyl siding
Brushing Pros and Cons
Pros
- It creates even smooth surfaces
- It’s not messier than the sprayer
- It’s easy and fast to clean up the mess
- No paint wastage as you apply on the exact intended area, and the winds don’t carry the paint away
- It covers all areas, even the trickiest corners
- Brushing makes the paint last longer as it creates thick coats.
Cons
- It takes time to brush
- It’s more tiresome brushing the vinyl siding than spraying.
Bottom Line
You don’t need to have faded or cracked vinyl siding when you can paint it. Look for your favorite color and give your house a new makeover. However, when you decide to paint the vinyl siding, ensure you use the right paint and avoid darker stains that retain heat. Also, select the best paint application method that will leave your house looking beautiful in your neighborhood.
