Can you paint vinyl siding?
Restoring Faded Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding was introduced as an exterior product in the 1950s, and it has improved a lot since then. However, just like traditional house paint, it is not immune to Mother Nature. After years of facing harsh New England winters and direct summer sun, the factory color will oxidize, chalk, and fade.
Homeowners often ask us: “Can vinyl siding be painted, or do I have to replace it?”
The good news is that yes, you can absolutely paint vinyl siding. Painting is a highly cost-effective way to bring a tired exterior back to life without the massive expense of a full siding replacement. However, there is one critical rule you must follow to avoid ruining your home.
The Golden Rule of Painting Vinyl: Beware of Dark Colors
Standard vinyl siding is designed to reflect a certain amount of heat. If you take a light-colored vinyl house (like pale yellow or white) and paint it a dark color (like navy blue or dark gray) using standard paint, the dark color will absorb the sun’s heat. This will literally cause your vinyl siding to buckle, warp, and melt off the side of your house.
To safely paint vinyl, you must do two things:
- Use Vinyl-Safe Paint: You must use premium paints specifically formulated with “vinyl-safe” technology, such as Sherwin-Williams Emerald® or Benjamin Moore Regal® Select Revive®.
- Check the Light Reflectance Value (LRV): Your new color must have an LRV similar to or lighter than the original siding color, unless you are using a specifically engineered vinyl-safe color palette.
The Painting Process
Because the surface preparation and spray application process for vinyl is nearly identical to how we treat metal siding, we use the exact same rigorous prep methods. It requires a thorough chemical soft-wash to remove chalking, followed by a flawless spray application.
To see exactly how we prep and spray these surfaces to guarantee a factory-like finish, read our full step-by-step Aluminum & Vinyl Siding Painting guide here.
Need Your Connecticut Home Painted?
With 22 years of exterior painting experience, E D Painting knows exactly which products will keep your siding safe and looking brand new for years to come. If you live in West Hartford, Simsbury, Farmington, or the surrounding towns, contact us today for a free estimate!