HOW TO PAINT VINYL WINDOWS

one of my favorite projects and yes the windows still look great 

The decision to paint our brand new vinyl windows was the result of a huge mistake. I ordered the almond trim color windows instead of the white trim package. 

I know. To appreciate the after we must revisit the before.

this …

With white casings around our kitchen windows, the almond window trim package was a huge mistake. It was my mistake and there was no way to pin this on my husband. And, those mismatched almond windows against the white window moldings were the motivation I needed to learn how to paint vinyl windows.

The bigger challenge was to solve the problem before I told my family the mistake. The odds were in my favor that no one in my family would notice the mistake. #wink

 I searched online for solutions and told no one in my family. I have done this before like on these cabinet pulls.

HOW TO PAINT VINYL WINDOWS

My first attempt to paint the vinyl windows was unsuccessful. I used a  paintbrush and white primer and just painted over the almond color vinyl trim.  

But with the visible brush strokes, paint drips, and the crank handles (which is what I loved about my new windows),  the paintbrush application was a fail.

I shut down the project site and drove to Home Depot.

NEXT STEPS

I grabbed a few cans of Rustoleum paint +primer spray paint at Home Depot. I used matte (flat), but I think that is a controversial decision. 

In general I prefer a matte finish.

STEPS TO PAINT VINYL WINDOWS?

• Lightly sand the vinyl trim
• Clean the window to remove any dust or bugs

Neither do well around spray paint. 

• I used a spray primer for the first coat and finished with coats of the primer + paint.
• Next time I will just use the primer + paint combo spray paint.

The primer and paint combo provided great coverage and meant one less step to screw up the window finish.

The spray paint went over the window crank like the first coat of a new bottle of OPI nail polish; a smooth finish with instant glam. 

You guys I was so happy at this point because… the windows looked so good.

 As soon as I stepped away from the window I knew I had used the best technique to paint vinyl windows for my skill level and pay grade.

Fast forward a few years with a remodeled kitchen this is the same corner.

The spray paint adhered to the vinyl with a smooth finish. There was a bit of overspray onto the windows, but it was an easy cleanup with a razor blade and window cleaner.

PAINTED VINYL WINDOW UPDATE

 WEATHER

Over the years I read articles about the reasons a homeowner should not paint the vinyl windows. The reasons included temperature fluctuations during the year.

Living in Colorado we know temperature swings. The only issue with my vinyl windows was the occasional pasta sauce splattered from an aggressive pot scrub or the one time I forgot to put the lid on the blender.

The vinyl window trim has yet to show wear and tear. In fact, I am in the process of painting a few other windows as we get ready to refinish our wood floors.

WARRANTY

Home Depot installed a few of our windows (well their subcontractors). I asked the sales guy if the warranty continues if the windows were painted. He answered my question with – over 65% of customers end up painting either the interior or exterior vinyl trim.

I did not paint the exterior side of our window trim, but I might on our next paint job.

After six or seven years the painted vinyl windows look great. And the crank window that I was so nervous to paint? It looks great and is used quite a bit in the summer.

I am so pleased with the results of my painted vinyl windows.

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Before you go I would if you pinned this project for others to see on Pinterest!

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