Vinyl siding is tough, beautiful, and does not require the same amount of painting and maintenance that many other siding materials do. At one time people with this material on the exterior of their homes were told that they could not paint it. There have been a lot of improvements in paints since the vinyl siding was first introduced, and with the newer paints, it is possible to paint your siding.
How Much It is to Paint Vinyl Siding
The Paint Matters
When you are thinking of painting vinyl siding you have to be diligent in researching the paint so you get a substance made to adhere to vinyl. If you purchase any exterior paint, you come across it will not adhere and can even do damage to the siding material.
To cover vinyl siding with paint you need acrylic paint. 100% acrylic paint will have the best adherence to the material and will not be likely to damage the surface material in any form or fashion.
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Typical Vinyl Siding Paint Cost
| Paint Type | Low | Average | High |
| Valspar 1-Gallon | $30 | $75 | $150 |
| Valspar 5- Gallon | $150 | $175 | $300 |
| BEHR 1-Gallon | $40 | $80 | $160 |
| BEHR 5-Gallon | $160 | $180 | $310 |
| Sherwin Williams 1-Gallon | $60 | $100 | $200 |
| Sherman Williams 5-Gallon | $200 | $225 | $450 |
| Benjamin Moore 1-Gallon | $50 | $95 | $190 |
| Benjamin Moore 5-Gallon | $210 | $385 | $425 |
2 or More Coats are Needed
It is a tendency of non-professional painters to want to put paint on a surface as thickly as possible. Putting on thicker layers of paint can make the coverage happen more quickly and the person doing the work gets to wrap up the project sooner.
You cannot have this method of painting if you are painting vinyl. You need to apply thin coatings of paint. It will take at least two coatings to create uniform coverage. Why? The thinner coats of paint dry faster and have the ability to adhere better. If you apply a thick coat you can be fairly certain that in the not too distant future the paint will begin to flake, bubble, or peel off of the siding.
The Right Application Method
One thing you have to consider about painting this material is what paint application will give you the best results with the least amount of work. According to the pros, the only way to paint vinyl siding and make it look great is to use a paint sprayer to do the work.
The paint sprayer allows you to apply fine, thin coats of paint instead of thick coats. The paint dries quicker, and it covers more completely when applied in this manner.
You can purchase paint spraying equipment or you can rent the equipment if you have a tool rental establishment close to your home.
The Tools to Paint
| Tool | Low Rental | High Rental | Low Purchase | High Purchase |
| Power Washer | $40 a day | $100 a day | $75 | $250 |
| Electric Sander | $42 for 4 hours | $600 a week | $45 | $175 |
| Paint Sprayer | $60 for 4 hours | $850 a week | $50 | $400 |
| Air Compressor | $50 a day (8cfm) | $75 a day (8cfm) | $65 | $450 |
Pressure Washing
The vinyl siding cannot be painted until it has been pressure washed. The pressure washing removes the grime and dirt that can keep the finish from being smooth and attractive. If you do not own a pressure washer you can normally rent one from tool rentals stores and large home improvement stores like Lowes or Home Depot.
The pressure washing may also reveal problems like vinyl that has become dry-rotted and brittle. After a few years, vinyl may become so brittle from exposure to the outside elements of cold, heat, rain, and wind that it will easily break and crack. A ball hitting the side of the house may break the siding. If the pressure washing causes any cracks or breakage you should consider replacing the siding instead of merely painting it.
Sanding
You are going to have to get out a sander and some fine-grit sandpaper. The vinyl siding is coated so it retains its shine and luster. You have to rough up that glossy shine a little so the paint and primer can adhere properly.
This is not going to be an easy or quick task. The sanding of the siding is one of the reasons why professional painters do not like to paint vinyl-sided houses. This takes many hours and the labor charges to hire a professional to do this would be more than simply purchasing new siding in the color you prefer.
Pro Tip: If you are sanding your siding do not apply a great deal of force. The idea is to rough up the top of the material so the primer can stick better. Take your time and go slowly. It is best to start at the top and work your way to the bottom.
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Primer is a Must
Many people assume that they can forego the application of primer because vinyl does not rust or rot so it does not need the protection that primer can offer. This is a bad assumption because primer does a lot more than just protect the surface from rust, corrosion, mildew, mold, and rot. Primer creates a uniform surface that allows the paint to have greater adhesion.
If you skip the primer, you can be sure that the longevity of the paint on the siding will be reduced. In some cases, the paint that is applied without primer will not last on the siding for a full year before it begins to weather badly, peel, chip, and crack.
How Much Paint and Primer to Buy?
When you go to paint you need to buy enough paint at one time to cover the entire house. You figure the paint by figuring the square footage of the house. Most exterior paints will cover about 350 square feet. Remember that you need to cover the area twice, and you are using a paint sprayer which will use 40% more paint than using a brush and roller would.
Figure the square foot of the house by multiplying the length or perimeter measurement of the house by the height of the walls. You can subtract 15 square feet for each window the house has. Subtract 20 square feet for each standard door. If you have gables add two feet to your height measurement before you multiply the perimeter times the height.
The calculation you come up with needs to be doubled if you are painting vinyl because vinyl requires two coats.
Take the final number and divide it by 350 to see how many gallons of paint Take the final number and divide it by 350 to see how many gallons of paint you need.
Pro Tip: It takes more paint when you are using a paint sprayer. Do not subtract for the windows and doors and you will more than likely have enough paint. You can also take the number of gallons you get from your measurements and add 40% to make sure you have an ample amount.
Primer and Paint Amount Comparison (By Square Foot)
Primer is thicker than paint. Primer will not cover as many square feet as paint so you need to divide your square feet by 250 to determine how much primer you are going to use.
| Square Foot | Primer for 1 Coat | Paint for 2 Coats |
| 700 | 1 + ½ gallon | 2 gallons |
| 800 | 2 + ½ gallons | 3 gallons |
| 900 | 3 gallons | 3 + 1/2 gallons |
| 1000 | 3 + 1/3 gallons | 4 gallons |
| 1100 | 3 + ¾ gallons | 4 + 1/3 gallons |
| 1200 | 4 gallons | 4 + ½ gallons |
| 1300 | 4 + 1/3 gallons | 5 gallons |
Painting VS Replacing Vinyl Siding
Painting your siding is a lot less expensive than replacing the siding. You have to weigh the benefits of painting against the benefits of replacing before you can make a solid determination on which option is best for your home.
Painting Benefits
- Save 40 to 60% over the cost of replacement siding
- Does not take as long to do as replacing
- Adds another layer of protection which increases the lifespan of the entire home
- Can usually be done without hiring an expert
- Increases the value of the home
- Increases the aesthetic appeal of the home if it is done properly
Replacement Benefits
- Increases home value
- Improves exterior aesthetics
- Protects property if the siding is cracked or damaged
- Have new looks and textures that paint can’t offer
- Easy to hire someone to place the siding
- New siding usually has a warranty that covers several years
Pro Tips and Considerations
- Before you decide to paint the siding check for buckling, gaps, cracking, or brittleness. Paint will not fix these problems.
- Proper preparation is the key to a successful finish. Do not try to make cleaning or prepping shortcuts.
- Do not try to paint when it is over 900
- Do not try to paint if the wind is blowing because it will blow the paint away from the surface as you spray
- Be sure to cover shrubs so they do not get painted
- Invest in a scaffold even if you rent one. They are safer to stand on than a ladder
- Have someone outside with you at all times in case of a fall or accident
- Do not try to buy the cheapest paint on the market. Only 100% acrylic adheres to vinyl
People Also Ask
Can You Paint Vinyl Siding a Darker Color?
It is easier to paint siding a darker color than it is to paint it a lighter color.
How Much Does It Cost to Put Vinyl Siding on a 1500 Sq ft House?
Between $5,500 and $20,000 depending on your location, the siding company you use, and the number of windows and doors in your home.
How Long will My Vinyl Siding Last if I Paint It?
If you properly cleaned the siding and did the preparation work like you are supposed to you can expect the siding to make your house last ten years longer.
What Kind of Paint will stick to Vinyl?
100% acrylic paint designed for exterior use will stick to vinyl siding.
Final Thoughts
Putting vinyl siding on your home is a great way to reduce maintenance costs. There may come a time when you would like to change the color of the siding, or when you feel like a coat of paint will enhance the siding’s appearance. When this happens 100% acrylic paint will allow you to make the changes.
Painting your vinyl may extend the life of the home by as much as ten years. It can definitely increase the curb appeal and may very well increase the property value of the home. The pros say to use a sprayer, and take your time during preparations if you want the siding to look great and the paint to be durable.
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