Painting Vinyl Window Frames

Vinyl window frames are more durable and show less wear than wooden frames but they don t come in as many colors as you might want.

Painting vinyl window frames.

When painting vinyl windows use a primer that is made specifically for vinyl. Risks of painting vinyl windows. Vinyl is not an easy surface to paint and it tends to repel liquids like paint. Before you can start painting your vinyl windows you have to prep them.

Painting vinyl window frames is very much like painting brick walls. Both may improve the appearance dramatically but doing it once is a lifetime commitment to repainting every year or two. As a result you need to sand the window frames prior to painting them to help the paint adhere. It is absolutely necessary to clean all window frames so the new paint can stick to the glossy and often chalky surface.

The problem with painting vinyl window frames is that paint doesn t adhere as well to vinyl window frames. Be sure to read the paint can talk to the paint store manager and a professional painter before buying too dark of a vinyl safe paint. Rather than soaking in color nicely like wood or handling new paint well like fiber cement vinyl repels new paint. Roughing up the frame encourages the primer to bond with the vinyl frames.

You never want to paint a dirty window as that will trap dirt beneath the paint. Both may improve the appearance dramatically but doing it once is a lifetime commitment to repainting every year or two. Sand until the surface feels rough to the touch. Aside from the flaking and peeling risks already mentioned mentioned in the section above you risk damaging your window frames and voiding your warranty if you do use many of the primers available on the market today.

Also there is controversy that if you paint vinyl window frames a color darker than they already are solar heat will heat up the windows and warp the frames. Before you start painting vinyl window frames clean the windows to remove any dirt. You can use 220 or 240 grit sandpaper. Primers contain a number of chemicals that can soften the vinyl and reduce its structural integrity.