I have a home with newer vinyl windows, and am wondering about painting them.
-
KMS Woodworks on Apr 28, 2012I have seen this done with mixed results. One issue is deciding where to stop painting. In most cases the sash ( the movable part) is rarely painted but the frame is. In these cases you still have a white vinyl portion of the window. When I paint older wood windows I remove the sash and paint it separate. This is allowed to fully dry before being re-installed this technique reduces the chance of the windows becoming "painted" shut.Helpful Reply
-
-
Trevor O on Apr 28, 2012Thanks, I am familiar with painting older wood windows, but have never attempted vinyl, I was wonder about the adhesion, as I do not want it to be something that peels or flakes in my MN climate. Any ideas there... thanks for anything.Helpful Reply
-
-
Joan L on Apr 28, 2012Check Home Depot or Lowes....they might have something on their website about painting vinylHelpful Reply
-
-
Sheena K on Apr 28, 2012ok I don't know if this helps but they make a 'vinyl' paint or dye for car doors and dashboards.. this might work for you.. would be cheap to try and test it out. at the very least.Helpful Reply
-
-
Irysh on Apr 28, 2012Thanks for asking this question. I was wondering the same thing so I'll check out the responses you receive. I think there is something you can paint first - like a primer for adhesion - but I'm not sure of the name.Helpful Reply
-
-
Nichter's Home Services Corp on Apr 28, 2012Sherwin Williams Paint stores have a paint especially formulated for vinyl. Since these are new, they may have factory gloss. I would remove that by scuffing lightly with 120 or 150 grit and possibly wiping down with acetone or a deglosser to remove any oils. The other problem is that if you are using a particularly dark or hot colour, The sun can heat the vinyl and cause expansion problems which are already a concern with vinyl windows, especially casements and awnings. But great amounts of thermal change can stress that bond between vinyl and paint.For dark colours I might be tempted to use 80 grit to provide more 'tooth' to the bond, so there is a good mechanical bond as well as the cchemical bondHelpful Reply
-
-
Jerry G on Apr 28, 2012I used a prep solution from Pittsburg Paints and the windows look good after a year. You will need to decide what to paint (what you can see when windows are closed) and what not to paint (what you can see when windows are open). After prep the paint went on very nice- I used OIL base for adhesionHelpful Reply
-
-
Lisa S on Apr 28, 2012We painted our entire vinyl sided house but you must get a good primer and prime it first. I am sure it will come out great. Our house sure did...Helpful Reply
-
-
Trevor O on Apr 28, 2012Thanks for all of the responses. I have given thought to "scuffing" the surface prior to painting it. As for the comment about the "specialty" paint, I had heard of something like this also. The product I was thinking of was something by Rustolium I believe. I will have to check in the local Sherwin Williams to see what they have to say also. Thanks again for everyones advice.Helpful Reply
-
-
Lisa S on Apr 28, 2012We used a water based primer and a water based paint.Helpful Reply
-
-
Lisa S on Apr 28, 2012You don't need any special 'vinyl' paint. Just get a good primer and paint.Helpful Reply
-
-
Trevor O on Apr 28, 2012Thank you Lisa.Helpful Reply
-
-
Straight Nails Construction on Apr 28, 2012It is common for darker or "hot" colors to have issues with paint on vinyl. It is my suggestion that you buy a priimer made especially for vinyl ( I use a bondable primer, which basically sticks to most surfaces). This is extremely important in areas in which there is warmer than usual summers. (South and West), but important in all areas when trying to paint vinyl.Helpful Reply
-
-
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com on Apr 29, 2012Only thing I would add is to keep the vinyl light colored and be sure if they are newer windows that you do not void any warranty. When painting any plastic or vinyl material darker colors tend to cause warping of the material because of heat gain. This can distort the vinyl frame and cause failure of the air seal between the panes of glass. Use a paint designed to be used with plastic and use what ever primer that manufacture suggests. Clean and scuff the surface using scotch bright pad as well.Helpful Reply
-
-
Susan H on Apr 29, 2012If they are new..Why in the world would you paint them? We got a liitle white paint on ours when we were painting the window sills and it turned a light beige! Ungly and going to be scraped off carefully!Helpful Reply
-
-
Peace Painting Co., Inc. on Apr 29, 2012Trevor, they paint great. Scuff them up with a fine sanding sponge and wipe them off. Prime them with a PVC primer like Insulx 'Styx', available at fine paint stores. Then you are ready for any good acrylic top coat. Regular paint will stick directly, even without the prep, but will peel off when scratched or pressure washed. Best, CharlesHelpful Reply
-
-
Lee W on May 03, 2012Ours have a lifetime warrantee, but if you paint them it voids the warrantee.Helpful Reply
-
-
Floyd P on May 03, 2012One of the benefits of vinyl windows is low maintenance, like no need to paint. Just wash them.Helpful Reply
-
-
Debi M on May 03, 2012We installed vinyl windows (34) in our American Farm House 8 years ago. They look as new now as they did when they were installed. Hubby just power washes the house once a year. The windows tilt in so I can wipe them down after he is done. Can't imagine painting thoseHelpful Reply
-
-
Nichter's Home Services Corp on May 03, 2012There is a limited number of colours available for vinyl windows. Some people like different colours. Why does it bother anybody that a different person would want a different colour? Also, Vinyl does not last forever. UV rays of the sun will dull and weaken it over time, so paint can have a benefit when properly done. Proper includes prep work like cleaning and sanding, and using the proper primer for the vinyl if one wants the job to lastHelpful Reply
-
-
Midway Fence & Decks on May 03, 2012My wife Purchased a Rustoleum product spray paint For plasticks and used it on our vinyl shutters.Still looks great 1yr later.Helpful Reply
-
-
Charles W on May 07, 2012i would be far more concerned about the heat gain possibility especially with a dark color. the seal is only so strong & i have had wood windows fail, so i am quite skeptical. would strongly suggest conferring with manufacturer or local supplier.Helpful Reply
-
-
Trevor O on May 07, 2012ok so we resolved the issue... we are leaving the windows... and painting the rest of the house to avoid to possibility of voiding the warrantee. lol.Helpful Reply
-
-
Taf on Jan 27, 2016@Trevor - in the event you're still interesting in painting your vinyl windows after warranty has expired.... I painted mine. First I used a scouring pad with Denatured Alcohol (to clean and scuff them up a bit) , then I used a good primer and they were ready for painting. They look great.Helpful Reply
-
Related Discussions
Should I paint or stain my oak kitchen cabinets?
I was wondering if you could help me with something -- I have an entirely oak kitchen. I know it's the rage now to paint or gel stain cabinets. I've been considering ... See more
How to paint a metal front door?
How do I paint my front door? It's metal.
How to paint grout?
How do I paint grout to change the color? The grout is in great shape, but the color - meh.
How to whitewash a brick fireplace?
What is the best method to whitewash bricks surrounding a fireplace?
Am I the only one?
I don't want to sound like a total "hater", but am I the only one who doesn't like distressed furniture? I see so many beautiful pieces of furniture that would look o... See more
Can I paint my popcorn ceiling?
I have been painting my walls and notice that my ceiling looks yellowish. Can I paint this ceiling as well? I'm up for any ideas