UPDATE: I did it!

I first washed with sugar soap. Then primed with zinsser bulls eye 123 primer. I then spray painted with Valspar paint and primer in one - in the colour pool tile.

I'm very happy with the results and finish. Here are a few images.

Thanks to everyone for there help!

I've read (2 sources) that if the original window is white, you should paint the window a color with a Hunter L value higher than 60. Since white = 100 and Black = 0, this means a light color. In theory a new dark paint would cause the window to absorb too much heat and negatively affect the functioning of the pvc/vinyl window over time. Anyone know if this is true?????????????

Hi guys some great stuff on here.

We will be undergoing a similar project for a client in the next few weeks so I will try and keep you posted on our progress. It's not something I would particularly recommend but he has has shown me the cost difference and he wants the grey windows look, so I along with him have convinced a couple of our painters to paint the exteriors of brand new white windows grey.

i have my doubts but with the right prep we should be ok, I will keep you posted.

Thanks for the great posts I actually came on here to do some research.

OK, answering my own question. I've learned that the problem painting white windows a darker color is the heat build up within the frame from the new darker color absorbing more sun energy. This grater heat can compromise the window vinyl. Painting original dark windows light is OK, as the vinyl/upvc was designed to handle the heat, BUT painting white vinyl dark is a no no, as it was not designed to handle the extra heat and can warp. However, several paint companies, including Sherman Williams, and Benjamin Moore have developed new "vinyl safe" paints that use tints that absorb far less heat and are therefor safe to use. These paints were developed for vinyl siding which had the same heat absorption problem.

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/architects-specifiers-designers/education/paint-and-color-technology/sw-art-pro-vinylsafecolortech.html

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-contractors/vinyl-select

http://www.mgmindustries.com/painted-vinyl.php

http://www.colorcoat.us/why.htm

Looks like you have all had some great results. I would really like to do the inside of my windows. What did you do with the sides of the openers and casement? Thanks

Thanks for the reply, do they seem durable? Hope you're feeling well soon

Hi all hope you don't mind me joining the convo .iv been asked by houzz direct to join and show off my work many times but Neva done so ,it's only now iv been asked by a previous customer of mine for a ral.u colour I put on her upvc window (bagpuss) who is on houzz .just so you all know I penatrate colour into upvc and hard plastics for a living I'm NW window repairs

the first thing everyone needs to remember is upvc isn't absorbent to any kind of paint so although it will look ok for many months it will not last for years as the window expands and detract the paint will begin to crack.doing it out side where it's to the elements is asking for trouble especially if not using somthing with a uv protection. We use a formulated paint with the main ingreadnts being butane witch helps the chemical bonding your not going to find this kind of paint in you locale DIY shop. if you are set on DIY clean the window with soapy water and a scotch pad go to a locale cleaning company and ask for the strongest solvent they can sell you without being trade (upvc cleaners will not do as they will only enharnse the lacquers in the upvc ) you want They's out . Once you have applied the solvent wait till the frame goes sticky ( this should only take a few minutes )then apply the first layer on thinly and quickly .you want the thin sticky layer to harden pulling the paint in .please note I don't know how off the shelf paint works but this process will help by making the top layer of the upvc absorbent .try using a coloured cloth if the window goes the colour of the cloth when applying the solvent it's strong enough

Hi all. I'm looking for some tips on painting our uPVC window internally. I've been reading above but want to make sure it's possible before whacking on the primer and paint.

I'm in the process of moving into my house, which has brown UPVC doors & windows. I am wanting to paint them all white but only internally. Can anybody please give me some advice. Thank you. Alison

Yes. The whole key is adhesion. If you don't follow the directions of the pros and prep the surface properly, and don't use the proper paint, It's probably not going to work well.

In this feed, there used to be a very detailed explanation from a painting pro who had done this many times, about how they do it. It seem to have disappeared.

I love the colour change to grey from white /brown but definitely pay close attention to NW window Repairs above and other Pros .. Interior Upvc painting is one thing but exterior should probably be left to professionals because of potential for cracking due to the exposure to the elements.

You would need a week of stable mild weather for it to be completed and to cure i imagine.

(Not sure we get that in the UK! )

As NW said the vital paints for this work arent available at DIY stores.

I notice someone felt that they hated the windows so much they didnt have a lot to lose.I think thats very relevant because if the outside work didnt stand the test of time you might need new windows within a few years after all that work.

I can see why everyones having a go because the results are so transforming.

Hi @MathewDecorator, which Zinsser shellac paint is it? their is one called BIN Shellac and another called Bulls Eye Shellac.

At builditsmart.co.uk our guys always use the green or blue masking tape. Our painter said it was funny as soon as they started to sell the more expensive green or blue masking tape the quality of ordinary masking went terrible forcing our guys to use the more expensive stuff. It might be his paranoia or maybe some type of masking tape conspiracy theory....any hooo go for the green or blue it costs a little more but it will save you hours in cleaning. But as always the prep in any paint job must be perfect to get a perfect finish.

hope this helped

builditsmart.co.uk

Hi all. I'm currently doing exactly this...and struggling! I'm not painting window frames but uPVC interior window sills. The previous owners, in their wisdom decided to paint them (no idea why), and they looked awful. I've therefore sanded them right back to within an inch of their life and now they need re-painting.

I bought some Zinsser BIN paint to apply a couple of coats to then cover with a couple of coats of Satinwood to finish.

But... After applying the first coat of Zinsser BIN, once dry after an hour it scrapes off with my finger which means I'm wondering whether to carry on. Will further coats of Zinsser and Satinwood stop it from scraping off?

HELP!

I'm so glad I found this - moving to a house with dark brown upvc windows and I want to paint the interior frames white. lots of useful info here! Can anyone who's done it give me an indication as to how long it takes to do one window from start to finish? I know it will depend on size but a ballpark would be useful. Are we talking hours? Days?

Great little group I intended to paint my original house window frames but ended up changing them to anthracite grey. But love everyone's initiative to painting them and seeing all the great results on here. More pics would be good good luck with all the Projects guys

I am keen to paint my windows too as they are brown on the inside. Can someone please tell me can i just paint it on with a brush or roller rather than spray paint as that seems like it could be messy and create runs.

I have painted my pvc white front door black with dulux multi surface paint. I did use zinnser primer first although the paint didn't say it needed to be primed first. My door is south facing so is in plenty of full sun and so far is holding up well I painted it around 18 months ago.

A few people have recommended spray painting the windows, can anyone please recommend what they used to do this. Thanks

The reincarnation of a 4 year old post......zzz

@mii2 - the reason the previous poster commented is because they are after advice as well and hoped someone on the thread might have already used a spray paint.
Not a problem to revive a thread if someone is asking advice and not just commenting on it ;0)

• I’m also interested to know if anyone has spray painted upvc recently as well themselves. I painted mine in a previous house and it was fine because I painted over wood effect pvc do it didn’t show brush marks. Spray finish would be preferable

@Tani H-S

Most professionals that refurbish uPVC windows will spray. You need the right equipment, you must prepare the surfaces properly before applying and most importantly you need the right paint (that properly bonds to the surface, has UV protection and thermal movement elasticity). If you don't use a professional and you have problems, you can always get a quote for new windows from YES Glazing Solutions - our windows are available in over 200 RAL colours!

https://www.yesglazingsolutions.co.uk

We have a upvc spraying company, UPVC Spraying Swansea and found this question.

We always say that you need to take time to prepare the surface first, making sure its clean, dry and free from dust or mould. This will allow the paint to stick to the upvc best.

We use spray guns just because they are quicker and give a more even finish but some people we have spoke to have used a brush and they have some lines which does kind of give a wooden grain look after.

Good question, thank you for asking

Hi @carolgriffiths, was just wondering if the exterior painting on your windows was still holding up ok 4 years on? Am thinking of doing exterior windows and wanted to check...

Cheers!