Paint over vinyl windows

Preparation is the Key to Perfectly Painted Vinyl Window If your windows are not clean, and you apply paint over dirt, even small particles, there will be air bubbles under the paint which can lead to peeling.

So, the first rule of painting vinyl windows is to be sure they are clean before you begin. If you have sliders, your cleaning and painting job will be particularly easy, because the windows can be completely removed. To Prime or Not to Prime When Painting Vinyl Windows If you are changing your window color from dark to light, you should prime your windows, even if the paint you are planning to use has a primer in it.

If the windows you are painting are white or beige, but the paint you are using does not already have a primer added to it, then prime.

Otherwise, you can eliminate this step. Use the Right Paint When Painting Vinyl Windows Even if your window frames are perfectly clean, if you use the wrong paint, you will have unsatisfactory results. So, a vinyl window trim is a very delicate matter, but, with the right materials, it can be done! There are some things to think about when it comes to vinyl, whether that be siding or exterior window trims. With aluminum siding, you definitely have a bit more freedom as you can paint it virtually any colour.

When you have vinyl siding and vinyl window trim, you can paint it any colour, but it can sometimes warp with darker colours. Vinyl often expands over the years, so you have to consider a type of paint that will work well with that. The answer to this question depends on what your exterior window trim is made of.

Also, what it was painted with previously also makes a difference. No matter the cleaner used, thoroughly rinse the surface with clean water after washing, as the surface needs to be dry before priming or painting. In most cases, a primer is not necessary; the Benjamin Moore exterior products for use with the Colors for Vinyl palette, are self-priming on properly prepared vinyl.

TIP: Pitted or porous vinyl siding must always be primed. A curated palette of 75 colors for vinyl siding and trim for use with select Benjamin Moore exterior paint lines.

Our contractor professionals can support your educational needs, provide product and color support, and help you grow your business. Toggle navigation button. If possible, you will want to check with your window manufacturer prior to painting your vinyl windows. In some cases painting your vinyl windows will void the warranty. Some manufacturers will tell you that painting the windows will cause them to absorb more heat, which can damage them.

Some manufacturers will allow you to send them a paint chip so that they can verify whether or not the paint is appropriate. If you are set on painting your windows, finding the right paint and primer is your first priority. Different brands recognize the need for these paints and offer vinyl safe paint in cans, in spray paint form and reflective polyurethane enamel.

Before you paint, you typically need to apply primer first, and there are a number of vinyl safe primers available. You can even find vinyl safe spray primer. Some manufacturers will have recommendations on what colors you should use if you choose to paint their vinyl windows. For example, if you have white windows, you will want to avoid very dark colors. Professionals recommend that white windows should only be painted colors with a Hunter L value of 60 or higher. With this scale, is white.

If you have sandtone or terratone colored vinyl frames, you can paint them with any color that has a Hunter L value of 40 or higher.

Some types of dark vinyl windows, such as forest green, should not be painted. Neutral colors such as brown, gray, or beige are typically a good choice. These colors will go well with a variety of color schemes within your home. If you choose something bold and bright, it may be hard to update your interior or exterior without clashing.

As you can see, it really is important to check with the window manufacturer prior to painting the frames. The next step, whether you are painting the exterior or interior window frames, is to clean the windows. Removing the dirt and debris prior to painting helps to ensure that the paint adheres properly. You can clean the windows with diluted dish soap by adding a little soap to a bucket of water, and clean the window frames with a soft, lint free cloth.

Rinse off all of the soap before you let the windows dry. If you own it, you can also clean the windows with acetone and let them dry before painting. Do not start sanding until your windows are completely dry. Vinyl is not an easy surface to paint, and it tends to repel liquids like paint.