Exterior Painting New Haven: Can You Paint Vinyl Siding?

If your vinyl exterior siding in New Haven is starting to look a little dull and dated, you might be wondering whether to paint over it or replace it. Well, vinyl was popularized back in the 1950s and has been used as an exterior siding material since then. It tends to fade slower than other painted exterior siding materials and is less susceptible to the damaging effects of weather elements. When your vinyl exterior starts to look increasingly dull and tired, replacing it can be a rather costly renovation project. The next best and equally effective way of updating your vinyl siding is to paint over it –yes, you can paint your vinyl siding. Painting a vinyl siding is a relatively straightforward process compared to painting masonry or wood because it doesn’t retain moisture and dries out much faster.

How Vinyl Siding Is Painted

The process of repainting a vinyl siding is more or less like other exterior painting processes. The exact steps required may vary slightly from one project to another based on the condition of the wall, size of the project, weather conditions, and homeowner preferences. Here are the general processes involved:

• Exterior surface cleaning –All exterior painting jobs should always start with a clean surface. Your painting contractor will first clean the surface with a pressure washer to get rid of dust, debris, and dirt. Where necessary, a solution designed to kill mold and mildew will be used. A final rinse with plenty of plain water is then used to remove any chemicals and soap residues.
• Priming (optional) – after cleaning the siding, it’s allowed to dry completely before priming. If you have a relatively new vinyl siding, you might not need to prime it before painting. However, if your vinyl is old and has chalky deposits, the contractor will apply at least one coat of a primer to increase the paint’s adhesion. Sometimes, only areas of pitted or porous vinyl siding may be primed.
• Choosing the right paint – this is where vinyl painting differs from most other exterior paint jobs. Vinyl tends to expand and contract more significantly as the temperature changes, compared to other siding materials. So the standard latex paint might not provide the required flexibility and versatility. The painting contractor would know the best paint to use. If you’re buying the paint, choose a high-grade paint designed to expand and contract along with the siding. Many paint companies have vinyl-specific paints developed to withstand rapid expansion and contraction.
• Exterior Vinyl Painting –your exterior vinyl siding will typically need two coats of paint applied either using a roller or paint sprayer. The brush can also be used, but it tends to take much longer than the methods mentioned above. Usually, the brushwork is reserved for corners and tight edges. Once the first coat is applied, the painter will allow it to dry completely before applying the second coat.
  

Use a Professional

Vinyl siding material is technically designed not to be painted, and when it has to, the job is better left to professional painting contractors. DIY painting may save you a few dollars on labor, but if you get it wrong –like using the wrong type of paint –you might ruin your siding. Besides, exterior painting is a labor-intensive project that requires the right skills, experience, and tools to complete it successfully.

At NHV Painters, we understand the challenges that come with painting vinyl siding, and we can help you restore the look and integrity of your vinyl exterior. Our residential painting services are currently available in New Haven, Branford, Milford, Orange, North Haven, West Haven, East Haven, and the surrounding areas. To give us a try, book a FREE estimate below or call us on (203) 606-2346 for more details.

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