Get matched with top painters in Centreville, MI

Yes, you can paint vinyl siding. A fresh coat of paint gives your home an updated look without the expense of replacing vinyl siding. For the best results, look for paint with acrylic and urethane resins, as these materials adapt to the vinyl’s expansion and contraction in different weather conditions. Use a color that’s the same as or lighter than the vinyl siding’s current color, as dark colors tend to absorb too much heat, which can lead to warped or buckled vinyl.

If you’re looking for durability or outdoor use, opt for enamel paint. Enamel paint is typically oil- or lacquer-based, so it dries hard and it’s ideal for exposure to the elements. Latex paint is water-based and has more flexibility when it dries so it won’t hold up as well to changes in temperature or exposure to wind, sun, or rain.

Assuming you have all of the supplies and materials needed to prep and paint, it will likely be less expensive to paint the room yourself, as it will only cost you the price of paint, which costs an average of $15 to $60 per gallon. Hiring a professional painter to paint a room can cost from $950 to $3,000, or $2 to $6 per square foot, depending on prep and materials involved. If you’re paying for labor only, expect to pay interior painters $20 to $50 per hour.

In most cases, paint primer is necessary before painting over wood paneling. A hardy primer formula covers up stains and leaves a grippy surface for the new paint to hold onto. If you don’t use a primer first, you risk poor adhesion, visible blemishes, and a paint top coat that could flake away later. 

There are two primer choices: oil-based or latex-based. Choose an oil-based primer for durability and adhesion, but prepare for extra dry time and more VOC (volatile organic compounds) fumes. Or, pick a stain-blocking latex primer. They’re easy to apply, clean up, and affordable.