How Painting Companies Tackle Vinyl

Learn How To Get Great Results When Painting Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is a durable and easy-to-maintain option for the exterior of any home, not to mention that it’s a budget-friendly option that won’t break the bank. In fact, vinyl’s probably one of the easiest surfaces to paint, provided you know how. Sorting through advice and information can be a hassle, but thankfully, you can trust in expert painting companies to get the job done and to share their best practices for painting vinyl siding.

Here’s how professional painting companies get the best results when painting vinyl siding:

Materials

What is the difference between urethane, acrylic, and latex paints? The answer might surprise you: the North American paint industry has a habit of referring to all paints that use synthetic polymers as “latex” paints. Even the latex in latex paints is a synthetic polymer, and not the product of a rubber tree. In fact, the most common paint materials include numerous polymers and resins:

• Acrylic resins which offer superior durability—but higher acrylic content generally costs more
• Latex polymers that allow greater flexibility
• Vinyl resins which adhere better to vinyl materials and soak into surfaces

There are pros and cons for each material, but generally, a paint with high acrylic content is going to offer the best results for vinyl siding. Painting companies can help you find a mixture of materials that will suit your home’s needs.

Application

Regardless of the paint you choose, the application process will largely be the same, starting with surface preparation:

• Wash all vinyl siding with a simple detergent and water solution
• For difficult stains or mildew, use a solution that contains 1/3 of a cup detergent, 2/3 of a cup powdered cleaner, 1 quart of liquid laundry bleach, and 1 gallon of water
• Rinse off all residue with a hose

Wait for a day with mild, low-humidity weather to give the paint optimal conditions to adhere. Professional painting companies always keep an eye on the forecast, letting them plan out when the best time to paint will be. When it’s time to paint, keep these tips in mind:

• Apply all coats evenly with a roller, only using a brush for edgework or difficult spots
• If using a sprayer, maintain a steady hand and coat each surface carefully
• Let paint dry between coats—this is more important for the second coat, however, which must have at least 24 hours of drying time before (optional) further coats are applied
• Be thorough—vinyl expands and contracts with changes in the weather, so be sure that all surfaces get a good two coats to avoid unsightly edges showing season to season

Tips And Tricks

Vinyl siding is a straightforward surface to paint, but there are a few tips and tricks from professional painting companies that can simplify the process easier and save you from headaches down the road:

• The higher the acrylic content, the better. High acrylic content resists water and staining
• Using paint with high vinyl content can really refresh and restore vinyl siding, but make sure it’s coupled with acrylic resin to get the best results
• Avoid darker shades and colours on exterior vinyl siding; they’ll be far more prone to blistering, as the darker tones absorb more heat, and that in turn could even cause the vinyl itself to warp
• Mild weather is a must, as it will allow the paint to properly adhere, further decreasing the chance of warping or blistering

Keep this advice from painting companies in mind when you tackle your vinyl siding paint job and see the difference it can make!

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