What Kind of Paint To Use on Vinyl Windows and Trims
Painting Vinyl windows and trims is a great way to add character and warmth to any space. However, if you’re not careful about choosing the right paint, your vinyl can look faded or even peel off in places.
 
Luckily, plenty of options are available for painting vinyl windows and trim without worrying about damaging them. In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know about choosing the right paint for your vinyl windows and trims.
 

But no matter what questions may be stirring, as long as you go step by step and prepare with care, the process should yield the results you are looking for.

Though vinyl was used in home improvements after the Second World War, its popularity grew rapidly in the eighties and nineties.

Vinyl became a more desirable material than wood and aluminum because of a decrease in price and the benefits of its low maintenance qualities.  Vinyl windows and trims have excellent insulation properties, and they don’t rust like metal or develop problems with deterioration like wood might.  But in extreme heat, they can warp, and in extreme cold, they can contract, which means the quality and colour of paint you choose can make these reactions a little easier to deal with.

Best Paint to Use for Vinyl Windows and Trims

Vinyl windows and trim can be a beautiful addition to the décor of your home. But if you’re not careful, they can also be an eyesore. Luckily, there are some easy ways to keep them looking clean and new for years to come.

Vinyl windows and trim are made from a flexible material called polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This plastic is waterproof, but it’s not very durable. Over time, it will become scratched and scuffed by exposure to the elements, and it may even discolour or peel away from the surface of the house itself. That’s why it’s crucial to apply high-quality paint for vinyl windows in order to keep these surfaces looking their best.

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1. We recommend using acrylic or latex paint.

These are the best vinyl window paint because they both offer good adhesion properties and last longer than other types of paint on PVC surfaces. Acrylic paints are ideal for hard-to-reach areas like corners or edges.

While latex paints are more suitable for large surfaces like doors or windowsills, where there’s more room for error when applying an uneven coat of paint.

2. For Primer, use Sherwin-Williams’ Extreme Bond Primer

If you’re going to be painting your vinyl windows and trim yourself, we recommend using Sherwin Williams’ Extreme Bond Primer as an industry standard.

This primer has been designed for vinyl windows and trim, so it will stay on longer and give you a better finish than other primers. It also has an excellent adhesion level, so you don’t have to worry about the paint peeling off later on.

 

3. For the final coat, we advise Sherwin Williams’ Regal Exterior Low Lustre or Duration Exterior Matte Finish.

These two options are the best paint to use on vinyl window frames. They offer the most durability for your windows over time.

They will help protect your vinyl windows from fading while allowing easy cleaning after each season’s rain or snowfall.

When considering the home improvement needs of spaces and materials outside, it is always safer to choose exterior paint products.  This is due to several factors, the greatest one being the weather and constant movement – which can be rattling, sliding, swinging, or turning.

Something like a multi-surface, pro-industrial industrial acrylic-based or latex paint is often recommended.  There are also many options for exterior paint and bonding primer in one.

With narrow vinyl frames or wide ones with trim and contraptions outside, the aftermath of debris, precipitation, storms, and extreme temperatures will constantly bombard your vinyl surfaces. This makes the durability of the primer and paints you choose of the utmost importance.

Choosing the Right Colours for Your Vinyl Windows and Trims

There are a lot of different colours to choose from when it comes to vinyl windows and trims. But how do you know which ones will work best for your home? Here’s what you need to know about choosing the right colour for your windows:

  • Generally, vinyl window frames are painted with lighter colours in areas with lots of sun exposure because darker colours absorb the heat and may push vinyl past its threshold. 
  • But visually, more and more homeowners are opting to spray paint their vinyl windows black, which is on-trend and looks great when contrasted with lighter surrounding colours.
  • It’s best to choose a colour that will blend with the rest of your décor.
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How to Paint Vinyl Windows

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think about painting your vinyl windows. But as the weather warms up and your house looks more inviting, it may be time to paint those old windows.

For newer vinyl windows, you may like the colour.  But if there is extensive fading and discolouration and you are itching for something to look new and fresh, then following the stages of cleaning, preparation, and painting will make sure your new colour lasts for years to come.

In most climates, painting once every 5 to 10 years is expected. Luckily, painting vinyl windows is an easy DIY project that can be done in just a few hours. Here are some of our tips for painting vinyl windows that’ll help you get the job done right!

Step 1: Prepare the Surface First

Because vinyl windows and trims can be smooth and even slippery, the preparation to paint is just as necessary as the paint itself. 

Cleansing can be done with a simple soap and water solution and a soft brush or cloth.

The grooves along the bottom or sides can be vacuumed if the debris remains after a wipe-down. 

Once any grease, dirt, grime, or cobwebs are removed, you can tape off the areas you don’t want splattered with paint.

Step 2: Priming

Though it is not always necessary to use a primer, if your home is in an area with more humidity or extreme temperatures, a primer can help your paint job last longer.  And in certain cases, you may even decide to use a little sandpaper along with the frames and trim, for extra adhesion.

Step 3: Painting

Painting can be done with a sprayer or brushes.  These two applications can get into all the little grooves along with the sliding or conjoining parts.  Using a roller in the grooves may not provide the best coverage.  And using a roller or brushes may use more paint than necessary, especially if you are painting multiple windows.  The sprayer will ensure that the paint distribution is optimal.

SPRAYER

Painter Using Spray

BRUSHES

Painter Using Roller

Once you have sprayed a couple of coats, you can peel away the tape and any plastic coverings on and around your windows.  Wear a mask, goggles, or any other necessary protective equipment when working with machinery, tools, and materials that can spray, fall, or shift.

So there you have it!  When installing vinyl windows you have the information you need. Not only what paint to use on vinyl windows and trims but why to use a certain paint or a combination of paint and primer.  So if you are a DIY expert or would love to ask someone all your questions, Home Painters Toronto is here for you.  We can make sure you finish your home improvement project on time, on budget, and on poin

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