How to Change Vinyl Siding Color

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Things You'll Need

  • Heavy-duty drop cloths

  • Stirring utensil

  • Distilled vinegar

  • Bucket

  • Soft-bristle brush

  • Ladder

  • Garden hose

  • Masking tape

  • Acrylic bonding primer

  • Lambswool roller brush

  • Acrylic exterior grade paint

Well-maintained vinyl siding remains attractive for years.

Vinyl siding is a common exterior cladding available in numerous colors to satisfy diverse styles. Although vinyl siding has pigments baked into the panels, homeowners occasionally decide to change the siding's color over time. Painting vinyl siding brightens and revitalizes a home's exterior, which enhances curb appeal. Since temperature fluctuations cause siding panels to contract and expand, traditional paints do not adequately bond to the siding. Furthermore, dark-colored primers and paints cause vinyl siding to eventually warp and buckle. You should change vinyl siding's color using specific painting techniques.

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Step 1

Clean the vinyl siding first to remove mildew, grime and oxidation, as well as to ensure proper paint adhesion. Begin by covering grass, plants and other vegetation surrounding the house with heavy-duty drop cloths.

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Step 2

Create a solution of three parts distilled vinegar and seven parts fresh water in a bucket. Scrub a 3-foot-wide portion of vinyl siding with the diluted vinegar concoction using a soft-bristle brush. Work up the vinyl siding, standing on a ladder to reach inaccessible areas.

Step 3

Rinse the clean 3-foot-wide section of siding thoroughly with water. Blast the water stream at eye level or down the siding panels.

Step 4

Continue cleaning the remaining unwashed 3-foot-wide sections of vinyl siding until the home's exterior is thoroughly clean. Clean each remaining 3-foot-wide section of vinyl siding in the same manner as the first 3-foot-wide section. Let the siding panels thoroughly air dry for 24 hours before painting them.

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Step 5

Adhere masking tape over all trim and other areas of the siding you don't wish to prime or paint. Keep the drop cloths in place to catch primer and paint drippings.

Step 6

Prime the vinyl siding with one coat of acrylic bonding primer using a lambswool roller brush. Roll the primer evenly onto the siding, working in 3-foot-wide sections. Use the ladder to access higher portions of the siding.

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Step 7

Let the coat of acrylic bonding primer dry for 24 hours. In the meantime, thoroughly clean the roller brush with water.

Step 8

Paint the vinyl siding with two separate coats of acrylic exterior grade paint using a lambswool roller brush. Use a light shade of paint to prevent damaging the siding. Roll each separate coat of paint evenly onto the siding, working in 3-foot-wide sections. Use the ladder to access higher portions of the siding. Let the first coat of paint dry 24 hours before applying the second coat.

Step 9

Let the final coat of acrylic paint dry for 24 hours before peeling off the masking tape.

Tip

Prime and paint vinyl siding in overcast weather for best adhesion.

Warning

Avoid using pressure washers on vinyl siding as they blast water behind siding panels.

Painting vinyl siding may void its warranty; check with your siding manufacturer to prevent voiding the siding’s warranty.

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