Can you paint vinyl siding?

Look, we all wish we could have real wood clapboards, but the reality is, sometimes it’s just not on budget (or rent). What do you do when you work with vinyl? First of all, you should take good care of the siding and ensure it is properly maintained and cleaned. But even if vinyl in its best possible condition still makes you unhappy, there is good news: you don’t have to live with it like that. This means: Yes, you can paint your vinyl siding.

“Applying paint to paint vinyl siding is actually easier and can be less labor-intensive than painting projects involving wood, masonry, or hardboard because vinyl sides do not retain moisture and dry out fairly quickly and are also easier to clean,” says Mike Mundwiller, Field Development Manager at Benjamin Moore. But as with any home renovation project, there are a few important things that you need to know before doing this.

1. Start with a clean surface

          A good rule of thumb for any painting project is to start with a clean canvas. This is of course doubly important for outdoor areas where your surface can be even dirtier and more weathered. If you are working with a large area, force washing is probably your best choice. However, you can also clean the surface by scrubbing and rinsing it with a stiff-bristled brush. You can use a mild soap or laundry detergent. However, if you want to go for a more specific product, several paint manufacturers make cleaners.

          “I always recommend using the Benjamin Moore N318 CLEAN,” advises Mundwiller. “This multipurpose cleaner is safe for vinyl siding and removes dirt and mold stains. If you are using a pressure washer to clean, make sure your water pressure is not too high as it can cause damage. It is also important to be careful that no water gets into the house around windows, doors, ventilation slots, soffits and other openings. “

          2. Determine if you need a primer

          Good news: most of the time, if you have a vinyl finish, you can jump right over the priming step. According to Benjamin Moore, “only areas with pitted or porous vinyl siding should be primed”. Of course, you’ll want to flatten these areas too. If you choose to use a primer, use a self-adhesive primer.

          Property, porch, house, home, siding, building, estate, pillar, architecture, window,

          Siding painted on Benjamin Moore’s Select Revive shelf in Icicle with a door in Tarrytown Green.

          Courtesy Benjamin Moore

          3. Choose the right color

          Unfortunately, you can’t drag the leftover interior paint from the basement for this project: since the heat absorption of some paints can cause vinyl to expand, this is what you should do Choose an acrylic paint that is considered safe to use on vinylto prevent warping.

          “Overall, when choosing a color, it is safest to choose a color with a light reflection value (LRV) of more than 55 percent,” advises Mundwiller. “LRV is a measurement of how much light a color reflects and, conversely, how much it absorbs. LRV runs on a scale from 0 to 100 percent. Zero is absolute black and 100 is a bright white or even a bright yellow. Most paint manufacturers list all of their colors with the LRV values. ”

          Select Exterior REVIVE shelf for vinyl siding (544)

          4. Use a professional

          While some paint jobs are simple home improvement, this is best left to the professionals. “It’s a tough homeowner project because the paint has to keep going smoothly,” painter Nancy Long told Angie’s list. “If you don’t apply an even coat – even if you do the preparatory work carefully – and have no experience, it could be.” [turn out poorly]. “

          5. Maintain it annually

          While it’s wise to wash your painted house annually anyway, it’s especially important with vinyl because it prevents the build-up of dirt that can cause warping. Schedule an annual power wash and your paint job should last for years.

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              Digital director
              Hadley Keller is a New York-based writer and editor who specializes in design, interiors, and culture.

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