How to Paint Vinyl Windows

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Did you ever invest in a project or purchase and realize something was not quite right?  Now multiply that mistake by a few thousand dollars. That was what happened  after our NEW vinyle windows were installed.

Like a HUGE mistake!

I had ordered the almond trim color windows instead of the white trim package. 

I know. 

With white casings around our kitchen windows, the almond window trim package was a huge mistake.  And, those mismatched almond windows against the white window moldings was the motivatation I needed to learn how to paint vinyl windows.

The bigger challenge, was not to tell my family until I had solved the problem. The odds were in my favor that no one in my family would notice the mistake.      

I searched online for solutions and told no one in my family. Just like the time I made this online shopping purchase mistake.

How NOT 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 trim.

Do not use a paint brush to paint vinyl windows. 

But with the visible brush strokes, paint drips and the crank handles (which is what I loved about my new windows),  the paint brush application was a fail. I shut dow the project site and drove to Home Depot.  

How to Paint Vinyl Windows

I grabbed  a few cans of Rustoleum paint +primer spray paint at Home Depot.  

To prep the window, I lightly sanded the vinyl trim and cleaned the window to remove any dust or errant bugs.

Neither do well around spray paint. 

For the first coat, I used only a spray primer. And, finished with two coats of a primer + white spray paint. 

Next time, I will skip the first can of primer and just use the primer+paint combo spray paint.

The dual 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 results. 

And, guess what? As soon as I stepped away from the window I knew I had found the best technique to paint vinyl windows for my skill level and pay grade.

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

 The hardest part was getting a crisp picture of the white handle in front of the newly painted vinyl window!

Painted Vinyl Window Update: 

After almost two years the painted vinyl windows look great. And that 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 painting vinyl windows. 

Interested in other paint projects you can complete? Check out a few of my favorite favorites here.