Can You Paint Vinyl Siding? Everything You Need to Know

Despite many people's experience to the contrary, the fact is that vinyl siding can indeed be painted if done correctly. 

Should You Paint Vinyl Siding? Pros & Cons

Pros of Painting Vinyl Siding 

The cost of painting vinyl siding

The total cost of painting vinyl siding varies based on multiple factors including total square feet of surface to paint and ease (or difficulty) of accessing the areas needing work. On average, the cost of painting vinyl siding is approximately 30-40% of the cost of replacing it.

Color Customization

Though vinyl siding comes in 20-30 colors from many top manufacturers, choosing to paint vinyl siding instead of replacing opens you to thousands of color options. With painting, you have endless options to perfectly meet the visual aesthetic that you are seeking. 

Environmental advantages

Sadly, each year around 25% of the total waste stream in the U.S. comes from construction, demolition, and remodeling activities. Painting siding instead of replacing saves a substantial amount of harmful waste. If your vinyl siding is in good shape aside from color fade and oxidation, or if you are just seeking a color change, repainting vinyl is an extremely eco-friendly option vs disposal and replacement.

Cons of Painting Vinyl Siding 

Risk of peeling and fading (if done incorrectly)

Some people worry, and rightfully so, that if they paint their vinyl siding it may peel, creating an ugly and difficult to remedy mess of their house. The great news is that if vinyl is properly prepared and painted using the right materials, there is almost no substrate that paints better and offers better adhesion than vinyl siding. When you see peeling paint on vinyl, it is nearly 100% of the time demonstrably related to the surface prep. Prior to painting, it is essential that oxidation (“chalking”) is fully removed from the old vinyl. ImageWorks uses special cleaning solutions and equipment to ensure this will never be a problem on your home. We proudly have painted many hundreds of vinyl homes, and have never had a single peeling issue.  Fading, the other common concern, is directly tied to the quality of paint that you use. At ImageWorks, we use 100% acrylic finishes that have excellent color and sheen retention to keep your home looking good for a long time.

Ongoing maintenance requirements of painted vinyl siding

When done properly with premium products, painting vinyl siding can extend its life nearly as long as a complete replacement. In other words, while you'll eventually want to refresh the color, it generally won’t be much more frequent than replacing the siding over time. Vinyl siding holds paint exceptionally well, so with a quality application, you can enjoy a long-lasting finish until you decide it’s time for a change.

Choosing the Right Paint for Vinyl Siding 

Best Paint Types for Vinyl Siding 

When painting vinyl siding, top quality 100% acrylic exterior paints from top manufacturers are recommended. 100% acrylic products are long lasting and have great UV resistance against fading and chalking. They also will bond perfectly to well prepared vinyl surfaces. If doing a color change, especially to a darker color, be sure to use products featuring vinyl safe technology.

Top Brands & Recommendations 

Sherwin-Williams, The Pittsburgh Paints Company, Behr and Benjamin Moore all make premium level 100% acrylic products that will work wonderfully on vinyl siding. 

Application Techniques 

The key to getting a like-new finish when painting vinyl siding is your application method. Vinyl siding should not be brush & roll applied. To get a perfect finish, vinyl should be spray applied via a low pressure airless sprayer using a low-pressure finish-finish spray tip.

Common Mistakes to Avoid 

When painting vinyl siding, there are multiple things to consider which could cause problems. Always consider the following issues:

• Do a great clean, ensuring all oxidation, dust and dirt, pollen, mildew and other organic growth have been cleaned from the surface.
• Use the right paint as discussed above. Lower quality products will chalk and fade far more quickly than premium products. The extra cost of premium paints pays itself off many times over.
• Either don’t paint a darker color than the original siding color, or else use a paint featuring vinyl safe technology. Vinyl siding is heat rated. If you incorrectly paint a darker color, the vinyl will absorb more heat than it was intended to handle and may warp on the house.
• Pay attention to the weather and climate conditions. In cold weather houses are fully contracted. When the home expands in hot, humid weather the overlaps at seams in the vinyl siding will be exposed. Painting when the home is in a contracted state will cause the overlaps where the siding isn’t painted to become visible as the home expands. Painting the home while in it’s expanded state alleviates this issue.

How Much Does It Cost to Paint Vinyl Siding? 

Cost Breakdown 

There are many factors that affect the cost of painting a vinyl sided home, but in general the cost ranges from 30-40% of the cost of removal and replacement. The amount of surface area being painted, the amount of other items being painted on the home during the painting process (doors, shutters, trim, foundation, gutters & downspouts, etc.), and difficulty of access to the area can make an average sized home range from $4,000 to $12,000, though some homes can be substantially more or less.

Ways to Save Money 

Regular upkeep is the key to saving money over time. The majority of painting costs are tied to labor rather than materials, so letting a building deteriorate can lead to extensive prep work and significantly higher expenses. Once your home is repainted and in great shape, it's important to protect that investment:

• Gently hose or pressure wash your home annually.
• Keep trees and shrubs trimmed away from the house to prevent branches from damaging the siding.
• Maintain a clear perimeter around your home from shrubbery and trees to promote good airflow and sunlight—both of which help prevent mildew and algae growth that can prematurely deteriorate your paint.
• Periodically inspect and refresh caulking and sealants to prevent water penetration, one of the most damaging issues for any building.

Consistent cleaning and maintenance will keep your home looking its best for years to come and will save you money in the long term.

Best Colors for Painting Vinyl Siding 

Trending Colors for Vinyl Siding 

Each year, top paint manufacturers come out with “top colors” palettes for the year. Visiting Sherwin-Williams or Pittsburgh Paint Company will present not just thousands of colors, but also will offer color packages to fit different home types by architecture and area. The “best color” is always tied to the details of each individual house. A colonial/ traditional home will look good with different colors than a cape cod, a traditional ranch, a craftsman, a modern farmhouse, a contemporary/modern built home, or a Victorian home. Specialty paint stores offer curated color palettes tailored to various home styles and settings—whether rural, suburban, or urban—to help you achieve the perfect look.

Light vs. Dark Colors: What Works Best? 

Traditionally, it was never wise to paint vinyl with a darker color than its original shade because vinyl is engineered to handle a specific maximum temperature. A darker color can absorb more heat than intended, often resulting in warped or wavy siding. However, advances in technology have mitigated this risk. High-quality modern vinyl siding is now more tolerant of darker hues, and many premium paints incorporate vinyl-safe technology to protect against excessive heat absorption. If doing a significant color change, make sure to utilize these specialty premium paint products.

How to Paint Vinyl Siding: Step-by-Step Process 

1. Preparation Steps 

To prepare vinyl for painting, thoroughly clean the vinyl for removal of all surfactants that could cause adhesion issues, including dirt & dust, pollen, oxidation (chalking), mold & mildew. Once the vinyl is clean and dry, mask all windows, doors, brick and other surfaces not to be painted. Cover landscaping and ground surfaces that should be protected from overspray. We refer to this as “bagging a house”, and you should be very thorough in your work.

2. Painting Process 

The two important factors to painting vinyl siding are equipment and technique. So, first of all equip yourself with quality spray equipment and choose optimal environmental conditions to minimize overspray. Begin by applying one light, even coat of your premium 100% acrylic vinyl-safe paint—start at the top and work downward. Light coats will help avoid runs and texture inconsistency. Additionally, maintaining a wet edge is crucial to avoid visible dry-spray lines, so setting up multiple ladders and coordinating with several sprayers can streamline your progress across each side of the house. Having an extra “ground guy” to keep the sprayers moving, load paint and move ladders for the sprayers is very helpful also.

No back-brushing or backrolling is needed when painting a non-porous surface like vinyl siding. The spray finish is what you want. Brush and roller marks will stand out badly in different lighting conditions, however the spray finish when done correctly will look like new vinyl. 

Once the first coat is dry for a few hours (in summer weather), it is safe to apply your second coat. Follow the same process as the first, working top to bottom and keeping a wet edge as your work.  

3. Final Touches & Maintenance Tips 

After the painting is complete and freshly dry, remove your masking materials gently to not damage the new paint film. 

After you have completed your new paint job, make it last by giving it the occasional gentle cleaning (annual is great) to keep the paint film looking fresh and new.

Local Considerations 

Painting vinyl siding in Pittsburgh and similar climates presents unique challenges compared to regions with more consistent weather. During early spring and late fall, dew can be an issue, but specialty products like Sherwin-Williams Latitude provide reliable protection against early moisture exposure. Additionally, be mindful of the natural expansion and contraction of your home. In areas with wide temperature variations, siding can shift significantly, and painting during a contracted state might make overlaps more noticeable. Although these factors require extra attention, with proper planning and the right materials, you can achieve exceptional results.