Homeowners 101: Dos and Don’ts of Painting Vinyl Siding

Sooner or later, your home will look its age. But whether that’s 10 years, 20, 30, or more, a fresh coat of paint on its vinyl siding can whisk away those years and make it look good as new, and that’s always a big improvement. Newly-painted vinyl siding on your home in Athens will make you proud for years to come and even increase its curb appeal if you plan to sell it in the near future.

But before you whip out your paintbrush and put on your painting clothes, read on. We'll break down some key tips to help you paint vinyl siding safely and thoroughly.

Pick the perfect paint color for your vinyl siding

Your first big decision should be the paint color – after all, that’ll determine where you shop for your paint, how your home will look in the end, and more. Your paint’s color can also have a massive impact on the overall results of your home renovation project.

For example, your vinyl siding paint matters for your home’s heat gain, changing how quickly and easily your home gets hot under sunlight. Cooler colors, like blue, gray, and white lead to less heat gain: a major benefit given the hot summers Athens homeowners feel each year! Darker colors might make your home a little too hot for comfort or force your AC to run more often to keep things comfortable indoors.

When in doubt, opt for an exterior paint color that’s either the same color or a lighter shade of your siding’s current paint color. That’ll extend the lifespan of your vinyl siding, as it’ll be cooler and less susceptible to warping.

Don’t forget to think about aesthetics or how well a color matches your home’s exterior features, though. For instance, if your Athens home has a brick chimney, a cool red siding color could be just the ticket and tie your home’s exterior together like never before.

Make sure the vinyl siding paint has the right ingredients

Color is only half of what you should think about when choosing vinyl siding paint. The other half is ingredient composition.

Many “vinyl safe” paints are made with a blend of acrylic and urethane resins, both of which result in dependable adhesion and good flexibility. Make sure you choose a paint that’s rated for vinyl siding and decades of life before buying a few buckets.

Clean your vinyl siding walls before painting

You’ve got your paint and are ready to get started. But wait! There’s a crucial step you need to keep in mind first: cleaning your vinyl siding walls.

If you don't clean your vinyl siding before painting it, you'll trap dirt and debris underneath, resulting in a poor-quality paint job and a less-than-stellar home exterior. You can't just spray down your vinyl siding with a hose or pressure washer, either.

Mixing the perfect vinyl siding wall cleaner

Fortunately, prepping your vinyl surface for painting isn’t too tough. You can mix your own siding cleaner with common home chemicals. One good formula is a mix of 70% water and 30% white vinegar. Or you can opt for this formula:

• 2/3 cup household cleaner
• 1/3 cup laundry detergent
• 2 cups liquid bleach
• 1 gallon water
• Cover or avoid spraying plants. If the solution contacts plants, rinse immediately as it could discolor or kill vegetation.

Mix these ingredients together, then use a soft-bristled brush to apply the cleaning solution to your home's walls or you can spray on with a garden sprayer and let it just soak. Be sure to test an inconspicuous section to make certain no fading or streaking will occur. Also, be sure to rinse off the walls and remove all debris and soap. Sure, it'll take another few hours out of your day, but the results will be more than worth it. (You may even decide to delay spending the money on painting)

Don’t forget painter’s tape!

There’s one last tip to remember before taking your paintbrush to your vinyl siding. Stick painter’s tape around the edges of walls and doors on your house. That way, you won’t accidentally spread paint over those features’ borders or rims.

Painter’s tape is pretty similar to masking tape, though there are some slight differences. Painter's tape has sharper, cleaner edges and comes with a water-repellent surface. Plus, it's better at preventing paint from bleeding underneath it. Even better, it lifts up without leaving behind any residue. Get a roll or two from a home improvement store before starting your paint job.

Always apply two coats to siding

At last, it’s finally time to start painting your vinyl siding!

As you apply your siding paint of choice, always plan to apply two coats at minimum (plus primer). Apply primer first, wait for it to dry, then apply your vinyl siding paint using a paint sprayer or roller. Use a paintbrush for any of the corners or edges that require more delicate work.

Once the first coat has been evenly applied, repeat the process. Your first coat has to dry for about 12 hours before you can start on the second layer. Then wait another 24 hours before calling your paint job complete.

Choose the right days to paint vinyl siding on your home

Want to avoid a major headache and ruined paintwork? Pick the perfect day to paint your home's vinyl siding ahead of time.

Take a look at the weather forecast and choose a long weekend or a few days where rain is decidedly not on the horizon (summer, therefore, might not be the best season to think about painting in Athens, Georgia!). If it rains, you'll have to stop your painting job until the weather clears up or, even worse, have to re-clean your vinyl walls and start the process from scratch!

How long does vinyl siding paint last?

If you keep the above tips in mind, your freshly applied paint will last for about 10 years before it needs to be majorly touched up or reapplied, especially when it’s spread over durable, long-lasting 4000 Series Vinyl Siding. That’s plenty of time to enjoy your work or sell your home for a bigger profit.

Of course, don’t plan on painting your home’s vinyl siding if the walls need to be replaced or fixed. Window World of Athens can help you find the perfect new vinyl siding for your needs and your budget, such as our 1000 Series Siding. Contact us today to learn more.