How to Paint a Vinyl Fence With Oil-Based Paint

The beauty of vinyl fencing is that it doesn’t require paint or upkeep. Vinyl isn’t designed to take paint, because its slick surface doesn’t lend itself to paint. Painted vinyl will often chip, crack and peel. The only reason to paint a vinyl fence is to change the color. Epoxy-based paint can work to paint a vinyl fence, but oil-based paint will not adhere to vinyl. To use oil-based paint on vinyl, you would first need to prime the fence, paint it with several coats of epoxy-based paint and then paint over that with the oil-based paint. Using any type of paint, even paint specifically designed for vinyl, will most likely void the warranty on your fencing material.

Soap
Pressure washer
Soft-bristled brush
Epoxy-based exterior primer
Epoxy-based exterior paint
Oil-based exterior paint
Paint rollers, brushes or sprayer
Sealer

Instructions

- 1
  Use a pressure washer filled with soapy water to thoroughly clean the fence. Use a soft-bristled brush to clean in cracks and crevices. Rinse the fence thoroughly with clean water.
- 2
  Prime the fence with epoxy-based primer designed to adhere to vinyl. Use rollers, brushes or a paint sprayer to apply the primer evenly to the fence. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly.
- 3
  Clean your paint equipment to prepare it for the topcoat paint.
- 4
  Apply the topcoat of paint. Use the painting tools of your choice to apply at least two coats of epoxy-based paint. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly between each coat.
- 5
  Finish the surface with oil-based paint. If you are intent on using an oil-based paint, the vinyl surface must first be completely covered with epoxy-based primer and paint or the oil-based paint will peel off.

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