Painting Plastic Windows: How to Do it

Can you paint plastic window frames? Of course! It's very easy. With the right varnish, no long preparatory work is necessary. Within a few minutes you can get started and give interiors and facades a new character.

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Water-based paints and plastic – do they go together? Absolutely! Some DIY enthusiasts might have doubts, which could stem from childhood experiences. The watercolour paints from primary school art classes didn't really want to stick to plastic surfaces. However, our water-based and low-emission paints are perfectly suited for plastic surfaces. Our slogan #ipainteverything is not an exaggeration. Our Easy Eggshell! adheres so well that you can confidently use it as a robust exterior finish for windows too.

White plastic window frames, in particular, can discolour and turn yellow – which isn't a pretty sight.
But even if the original shade is still pristine, it might simply no longer suit your home and lifestyle. So, get started! You can instantly create a fresh look for your home, whether you want to paint brown plastic windows white or add a pop of colour to your white PVC windows.
Do you also want to paint wooden window frames? Then check out our tutorial ' How to Paint Windows'.

Ideas for varnishing vinyl windows from the MissPompadour painting community

Over the years, plastic window frames become covered in a yellow or grey haze that can no longer be wiped away, no matter how hard you rub. MissPompadour White with White makes the white shine like new again. Velvety matt, dark colours can look very elegant. With Black with Velvet or Green with Teal from MissPompadour, you can create a cool industrial look.

You can also paint dark or brown plastic windows white. The colours mentioned above cover well. It is best to apply our To Bond & Block primer beforehand.

Don't just focus on painting your plastic window frames. Paint the windowsill at the same time – in the same shade or a complementary colour.
Whether plastic, wood, metal or stone, our paints work on almost all common surfaces.

Get Ready: Picking the Perfect Paint for Your Plastic Windows

Wind, rain, frost, and constant exposure to UV radiation really take their toll on window frames. That's why you should use highly durable paints. The right choice is the hard-wearing and long-lasting Easy Eggshell! from the Just Paint collection. It is weather-resistant and ideal for outdoor areas.

pro tip: Window cleaning will naturally put a strain on the paint. Your painted finish won't be quite as durable as that on windows made from solid, through-coloured plastic.
However, you can always choose a new look if you get tired of the old one.

Are you painting the plastic windows from the inside or the outside?

You can always paint plastic windows inside and outside with the same varnish quality. This is because our outdoor-suitable, water-based Easy Eggshell! is particularly environmentally friendly and has very little odour. This means that these colours for exterior vinyl windows are also ideal for interiors.

Indoors: How do you want to live? Do you like it colourful or more subtle? You can give free rein to your creativity on the inside of the window frames. Match the colour shade to the interior of the room.

Exterior: How you paint the plastic window frames on the outside will determine the look of the façade of your house. Pro tip: Our water-based varnishes also adhere very well to metal. So you can also use them on metal window frames.

What effect do you want to achieve?

Freshly painted, your window frames will look like new again. The colours should be as robust as possible and adhere well. It is therefore best to choose semi-gloss or gloss varnishes.

• Matt effect: Matt paints are inherently less robust and not weather-resistant. They also adhere less well than semi-gloss, gloss paints or special outdoor varnishes. As the frames are also regularly rubbed during window cleaning, matt paints are not suitable if you want to paint PVC windows.
• Silk matt effect: Silk matt varnishes are the most hard-wearing and have the highest protective effect. Easy Eggshell is an excellent choice !

How to paint plastic windows like a pro: A MissPompadour guide

Painting plastic windows is much simpler and quicker than you might imagine. So, what are you waiting for? Let's get started!

Step 1: Clean

If your window frames are in good condition, you only need to clean them thoroughly. Make sure to completely remove any greasy residues. MissPompadour To Clean is perfect for this. Then, simply wipe with clean water and allow to dry thoroughly. Generally, there's no need to sand your plastic frames beforehand.

Step 2: Mask off

Now, carefully mask off all the parts of the window that you don't want to get paint on. Protect your work area and the floor with a dust sheet or masking fleece.

pro tip: Make sure to protect the rubber seals from paint too.

Step 3: Prime

For optimum adhesion, first apply a good, opaque coat of MissPompadour To Bond & Block as a primer, using a thoroughly cleaned brush. Allow the primer to dry for at least 3 hours. This might take longer, depending on the ambient temperature. Be sure to clean your tools very thoroughly between priming and applying the topcoat, or simply use separate brushes and rollers for each step.

Step 4: Paint

Now you can apply your paint coats – as many as needed until you're happy with the finish. Usually, two coats are sufficient. Allow approximately four hours of drying time before applying the next coat with a paint roller or brush. If you prefer a very even application, you can use a paint spray gun. Important: Depending on your spray gun, you'll need to add 10-15% water to the paint.

pro tip: When painting the outside of your windows, choose a day with as little wind as possible. You should also avoid days with high pollen counts in spring. Otherwise, airborne dust and dirt particles could settle on the paint before it has a chance to dry.

Step 5: Remove masking tape

It's best to remove the masking tape while the paint is still wet. If you've missed this window, you can carefully cut through the elastic paint film with a sharp utility knife.

Step 6: Allow to cure

Now, the paint needs to cure properly. This takes several days. It's best to leave the window slightly open during this time. If that's not possible, you can dust the window rebate with a little baby powder. This prevents the window frame from sticking when closed. After 10 to 14 days, the paint will have reached its full durability.

pro tip: Do you want to paint other plastic surfaces in addition to window frames? Then take a look at our tutorial for more guidance.

You'll need these tools for painting plastic windows