Can You Paint a Vinyl Fence?

Vinyl fencing is widely known for being low maintenance, having a long-lasting lifespan, and its incredible durability. Although, you may have a perfectly maintained fence, but maybe you just moved into a new house and you want to change the color of the fence, or maybe you want to do a little touch-up or give the outside of your home some “pop”. When it comes down to it, regardless of the reason, people want to know if vinyl fences can be painted…

When considering painting your vinyl fence there are several factors that you may want to consider before making the plunge!

Have you checked if your vinyl fence is under warranty? 

• If it is, you may want to reconsider painting it. If your vinyl fence is still under warranty painting the fence could null and void the warranty that it’s there to make sure you have a fence that’s doing its job. Make sure you check with the company you bought your vinyl fence from before you make any changes, updates, improvements, etc. 
• Are you okay with taking a low to no maintenance fence and adding some maintenance and upkeep factors to it? Once you paint a vinyl fence you will need to reapply the paint every couple of years to keep the paint looking good as new! This is roughly the same amount of maintenance as a wood fence. It’s not a lot, but still something to keep in mind!

Okay, you’ve checked all the pause points and you still want to move forward with painting your vinyl fence. Let’s talk about the best and worst practices. 

What type of paint should you use on your vinyl fence? 

• Vinyl is a non-porous material, meaning most paint won’t adhere to the surface of the fence. A 100% acrylic outdoor paint is your best option when considering painting a vinyl fence. A paint with an epoxy base is the only paint that will stick to a vinyl surface. Acrylic paint works best because it is lightweight and clings tightly to the vinyl, if the paint is too thick you can expect it to flake, bubble, and peel off over time. 
• Make sure you clean and sand the surface thoroughly before starting. You’ll want to clean your vinyl fence with a pressure washer, just make sure not to crack the vinyl! Using a cone-shaped sprayer and a lower PSI should do the trick! Afterwards, take the time to wipe the fence down with a clean, dry rag. 
• Next, you might want to take the time to lightly sand your vinyl fence. This will allow the paint to adhere to the vinyl better, giving you a longer-lasting and more even finish. 
• Use a primer that is mold and mildew resistant for best results.
• Use a paint sprayer to spray 1-2 light, even coats of paint on your vinyl fence, allowing adequate time to dry in between layers of paint. 

We are your fencing experts here in Florida! Call Big Sun Fencing for assistance with any of your fencing needs!