Replies

1. 
   DaveMason2 | Apr 01, 2002 09:05pm | #1

   Now Wes I thought you had vinyl siding so that you wouldn't have to paint it. :-)

   Seriously though, I would definetly wash all the oxidation off of it first, which means getting a scrub brush and soapy water andputting some elbow grease into it.

   As far as paint and primer, I don't know.

   Hope this helps, :-) Dave

1. 
   Cornfed70 | Apr 01, 2002 09:14pm | #2

   Dave, you're sooo right.  We (I) bought the place for the workshop/garage, the house is nice too.  The boss wants the color to change so here I am.  I am painting the metal soffit/trim and this weekend I just figured I'd paint the siding too.  I got nothing else planned for this afternoon.  :)

   Wes C.

1. 
   SawdustCEO | Apr 02, 2002 06:15am | #3

   Yes, you can paint vinyl. You will need to pressure wash it first and make sure the water is gone before you paint. An issue you need to look at is the water holes on the underside of the siding (around the seams too), this has to be dry. I would not caulk the underside of the siding as you normally would in traditional lap siding houses because it needs to move.

   Pittsburgh Paints, Glidden, Porter Paints (well, most of the name brand paints) have paints specifically for vinyl. I traditionally use an oil based primer with a latex top coat. But ask the store (paint) counter guy. Just a note: try a pro paint shop. Home Warehouse Stores (Lowe's or Home Depot or the like) just want to sell paint and usually aren't overly knowledgeable about this stuff. I (a painting contractor) have painted several vinyl sided structures. Mostly out of necessity - it's hard to match up 20 year old vinly colors. Come to think about it, I painted my parents house over 15 years ago - it's vinyl and we've not had a flake yet.

   Have fun ... paint it DRY! The color shouldn't matter as long as you get a like color primer (ie. green primer and green paint over a white vinyl for example).

   David H. Polston

   Founder, Sawdust Inc.

   P.S. Pitts. Paint (http://www.pittsburghpaints.com), B. Moore and probably all major brands have web sites. I just know Pitts. off hand because it's my prefered choice.

1. 
   JamesDuHamel | Apr 02, 2002 07:22am | #4

   Depends on where you live.

   If the climate is hot and humid, DO NOT paint the vinyl a darker color. Heat absorbtion will warp it - GUARANTEED!

   Clean, clean, clean, and clean some more. Primer is not necessary, but a good primer/sealer/bonding coat is added insurance. Zinnser brand Bullseye 1-2-3 works well for this application. Use a premium quality acrylic paint, and go for it.  TWO coats of paint.

   Been painting them for years with no problems whatsoever. James DuHamel

   J & M Home Maintenance Service

   "Southeast Texas"

1. 
   Cornfed70 | Apr 02, 2002 03:52pm | #5

   Thanks for the help guys. 

   Wes C.

2. 
   Piffin | Apr 03, 2002 02:30pm | #6

   I've just learned something here guys. I never knew you could paint vinyl and have it stick. Thanks.

   But I would take issue on the caulking thing..."I would not caulk the underside of the siding as you normally would in

   traditional lap siding houses because it needs to move"

   You should never caulk to seal the underside of wood siding lap joints. I have both seen, read and heard no end of tales of woe from places where this has been done. Trapping that moisture behind the siding will cause rot, cupping splitting, blistering, etc. I t wil look like H^%$* when it separates and it is hard to dig out and remove when somebody has done it.

   Excellence is its own reward!