How to Paint Vinyl Siding

Gather your supplies. Make sure you have all the necessities handy. This includes drop cloths, the paint and brushes and, if you are really fastidious, several pairs of latex, disposable gloves so you don't get paint all over your hands. If you're painting vinyl siding taller than you are, don't forget the ladder.

Clean the siding. Sponging the siding down with water may be all you need to do. Add a little bleach and rinse well if dirt is still sticking. For very filthy siding, you may need to rent or hire someone with a power washer to get all the grime off before you paint. Paint doesn't like to stick to dirt.

Pick the proper type of paint. Vinyl siding does best with paint that contains a mixture of urethane and acrylic resins, according to Tim Carter, who writes the "Ask the Builder" column.

Decide on the shade. If you want your neighbors to hate you, or at least hate your house, go for something in a neon yellow or putrid pink. Otherwise go for a neutral shade with a base of beige, brown or rust. Keep the color light, as vinyl painted too dark will absorb too much heat and may get damaged. Don't paint it any darker than its existing color, although you can use a different hue.

Follow the weather. You don't want to paint in the rain. Nor is it a good idea to paint while the hot sun is beating down. Pick a milder day, preferably spring or fall, and paint an area while it's in the shade or on a cloudy day for best results.

Start at the top corner of one side of the house and go from there. You'll want to use smooth, even strokes that move lengthwise down the siding. If the painting is too light, expect to add another coat rather than gob paint on to make it thicker. Once you've completed one area of siding, systematically move on to the next until the whole structure is covered.

Paint the corners, nooks, crannies and details. You can use a smaller brush or sponge brush to paint tight areas that come up as you move along. You'll also want to do a once over after you've completed the initial coat to touch up any areas you missed or that need a little extra attention.