Not Liking Your Vinyl Window Color? Try Painting Them
Manufacturers actually do offer several colors for vinyl windows
. On the other hand, individual tastes can vary and painting vinyl windows can be just the exquisite touch to make your house stand out. Furthermore, vinyl can discolor so if you see any deterioration in color, it might be face-lift time.
Please be aware that there's more to painting vinyl windows than just picking out a color and going at it. Anyone familiar with painting knows that the surface must be properly prepared. That means thorough cleaning and possibly priming. If the new color is lighter than the original, priming will make sure the old color doesn't show through. Be aware that you need latex paint that expands and contracts with the vinyl.
How to Paint Vinyl
You have around three hours to do the job to ensure cleanliness, so do things bit-by-bit:
Clean the glass and vinyl with a mild soap. Rinse and dry thoroughly removing any residue like lint or dust particles.
Lightly sand the vinyl to provide a rough surface to receive the paint, and clean again. Use painter's tape to mask and isolate the surface to be painted. Take extra care to apply the paint only on the vinyl.
Start at the top and use long strokes while applying a thin coat of paint. Two coats should be enough.
When finished, remove the tape and use a small artist's brush to touch up any missed spots.
There are experts who claim that paint will soften the vinyl and make it vulnerable to extreme weather. Check with the manufacturer before painting vinyl windows to make sure you don't void any warranties.
Other experts explain that because vinyl window colors are uniform all the way through, if it's just discoloration that's bothering you, a light sanding and polishing might restore the original brilliance.