Can You Paint Vinyl Siding?

Replacing faded or worn vinyl siding can be surprisingly pricey, so it’s no wonder that many homeowners wonder if they can simply paint their siding rather than fully tear it off. When I came up in the trades a few decades ago, the consensus was that this would be a terrible idea. But times have changed, and advances in paint formulations mean painting vinyl is a much more feasible option now.

I spoke with a pro painter to correct my out-of-date thinking, and he opened my eyes to the options available to today’s homeowners. We’ll review what you need to know before painting vinyl siding, the basic steps for tackling this as a DIY project, and the pros and cons for those on the fence.

Can You Paint Vinyl Siding?

When I asked Nick O’Keefe, founder of Oak City Coatings, this question, his answer was clear and direct: “Yes, absolutely you can paint vinyl siding.”

But you can’t just grab any paint and start slapping it on your home. The first thing to do is select the proper paint and color.

Select Paint Formulated for Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding expands and contracts as the temperature rises and falls, and this movement creates a challenge for paint manufacturers. A paint that sets too hard cannot withstand the stresses of vinyl’s movement with the weather. Several paint companies offer a base specifically formulated for vinyl siding. Typically, these will be a higher-quality exterior acrylic latex paint.

“You want to make sure you are choosing a paint that is recommended for vinyl siding,” O’Keefe says. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations on the side of the can to see if it’s rated for vinyl siding, or ask a pro at your local paint shop for guidance.

Color Matters When Painting Vinyl Siding

Surprisingly, color selection is extremely important when painting vinyl siding. You’ll have a more limited palette than if you were painting traditional wood siding.

This is because thin vinyl siding can warp if it retains too much heat. Siding manufacturers base their siding thickness assuming that it will stay the same color it was when manufactured. Painting it a darker color will absorb more heat, possibly warping the siding beyond repair.

According to O’Keefe, “Special vinyl-safe formulas leave out certain colorants that attract too much heat and will melt your vinyl siding.”

Because of this risk, he strongly advises against selecting a darker color for vinyl siding. Instead, he urges homeowners to stick with a color similar to or lighter than the existing siding.

Of course, not everyone will opt for a lighter hue. So what then? For long-time pro O’Keefe, this is a dealbreaker. He’d rather turn down a paying job than set up themselves (and the customer) for failure.

“If a customer does want a darker color, we will not take the job and walk away,” he says. “I have seen one too many vinyl jobs go sideways with darker colors, and we’ve decided to just not paint the house rather than be liable to replace someone’s whole siding.”

How to Paint Vinyl Siding

When it comes to the actual painting process, there’s very little departure from painting wood siding.

Watch the weather

As we mentioned, weather affects vinyl more than other siding materials. To get the best paint adhesion, work under overcast skies and shirtsleeve temperatures. Avoid overly hot, humid, or sunny weather.

Clean the siding

Homes accumulate a layer of dirt and grime, even if it’s not immediately visible from the street. To allow the new paint to stick, you’ll need to clean your vinyl siding.

Prime as needed

Siding that has worn to the point of losing its original color or has become pitted or porous will need a coat of primer. Just as with the topcoat, choose a primer formulated for use on exterior vinyl.

Cut in with a brush

Use an angled brush to paint around windows, doors and corners.

Use a roller

Use an extension stick and a roller (1/2-inch nap suggested) and back brush (work into the surface with a brush) if the siding isn’t smooth. You’ll typically need to apply two coats.

Note: You can apply the topcoat with a sprayer, but when you figure in back brushing and masking windows and trim, it may not be a significant time or effort save significant time or effort over rolling.

Pros and Cons of Painting Vinyl Siding

Cons

The single biggest con of painting vinyl siding is that you’ll now have to treat it like any other exterior paint project and assume that it will need a new coat of paint periodically. (Most likely every 3 -5 years).

Depending upon your product, painting vinyl siding may void the warranty. Research your warranty terms and paint only according to its instructions if the warranty is still in effect.

Pros

The biggest pro of painting over vinyl is that it can be a much lower up-front investment than removing your siding and reinstalling it on your house.

One of the best applications for this solution is when older vinyl siding has limited damage. It can be tough to match siding colors that aren’t in fashion anymore, and even harder when you take the changes caused by sun fading into account. But if you’re going to paint the siding, then all you need to do is come close to a color match, and you’ll end up with a sharp, uniform look on your home’s siding.

About the Expert

Nick O’Keefe founded Oak City Coatings after spending more than a decade working in the paint and coatings industries. He has worked with the largest manufacturer and top distributor of paint and stains in the world, serving customers in both residential and commercial markets.