Vinyl is one of the most common surfaces you’ll find at home. So, if you want to do some major (or minor) DIY home improvement, the chances are that you’ll need to paint some of your vinyl surfaces.
But this type of surface can be challenging to paint since it's not porous like others. When you need to paint vinyl, you need to choose the right kind of paint. So, can you spray paint vinyl?
Yes, you can spray paint vinyl, but you need to choose the right type of paint to use.
Also known as PVSC, vinyl is one of the most commonly used plastics. It is used to make fences, floorings, gutters, and sides of your home.
You can see this material everywhere because it is affordable, easy to manufacture, and versatile. But vinyl requires a specific type of paint called vinyl paint.
This paint made for vinyl surfaces can give any vinyl a fresh new look. So, if you have faded and worn-looking vinyl, the best option is to paint it with vinyl paint.
By doing this, you can save time and money since you won't need to replace the whole material just for it to look good again.
At the same time, painting vinyl can be an easy job, and using spray paint will make the whole process quicker than using paintbrushes or rollers.
Vinyl paint can also help preserve the material, making it last longer. If you don’t need to paint the whole surface, you can use spray paint to cover up imperfections on vinyl surfaces.
So, if you see any stains, chips, fading, or anything that can ruin the overall look of your home, you can paint it right away to avoid more damage.
However, if the damage is too much, spray painting may not be the only solution you need. You will need to get proper treatment before you paint it over.
Since only certain spray paints work on vinyl, you need to learn how to properly choose the correct one. Spray paints available today come in latex, acrylic, enamel, and chalk spray paint.
The best vinyl paints are latex and acrylic paint. These will stick well to your vinyl surface and add durability to the vinyl surface.
You can also use chalk and enamel spray paints, but you need more preparation for them to stick effectively on the surface.
Now that you know that spray paint can be used on vinyl surfaces and what paints work well, we will discuss whether all types of vinyl can be spray-painted.

Can You Spray Paint Vinyl Siding?
Definitely! Spray painting is the best and most convenient method of painting on vinyl siding. Spray paints can help you save a lot of time.
It can also resemble the original factory finish look as it won’t leave roller or brush marks on the surface of the siding.
Can You Spray Paint Vinyl Shutters?
Yes, you can spray paint vinyl shutters. However, make sure that they're still in good shape and rigid if you're painting them over.
Otherwise, it's best to just replace them with new shutters as it will save you more money in the long run.
Can You Spray Paint Vinyl Windows?
Yes, it’s possible to use spray paint on vinyl windows. However, it’s best to replace them instead.
Paint applied on the vinyl window frames often flakes and peels off pretty quickly since the surface is not ideal for painting. You can try, but it may be best not to save time and effort.
Can You Spray Paint Vinyl Blinds?
If you don’t want to replace your vinyl blinds entirely, spray painting it could be a temporary solution.
The new paint can make it look new. You can even experiment with different colors that will match your room’s interior design.
Can You Spray Paint Vinyl Fences?
Only a few types of paint can stick to vinyl fences. If you're going to spray paint them, it’s best to get an epoxy-based paint.
Since fences are outdoors, they’re more exposed to extreme weather conditions, and regular spray paint may easily peel.
Can I Spray Paint Vinyl Chairs?
Of course, you can. Spray paint will give you better results than traditional painting methods when repainting a vinyl chair.
However, you might need to be very careful when doing so, especially if you don’t want to paint over the frames of the chair.
Can You Spray Paint Vinyl Flooring?
Yes, you can use spray paint to spice up your flooring.
If you’re bored with the current vinyl flooring and don’t want to spend a fortune, spray painting them can be the most affordable solution.
How To Spray Paint Vinyl In 4 Easy Steps
Are you ready to paint your vinyl? Unlike other surfaces that require a lot of materials, painting vinyl doesn’t.
You even can skip the primer, which we will discuss below, making this a very affordable DIY project. So, let’s get started!
What You’ll Need
Instructions
- 1The first and the most important step when spray painting any surfaces, even vinyl, is to clean them. Not just wiping them down with water but making sure that there is no dirt, dust, debris, or residue left on the vinyl. If it’s dirty, scrub them until it’s immaculately clean. Spray paint layers are usually thinner than other painting methods. So any imperfections can easily show. That’s why you need to remove them before starting the paint job. Another thing that you need to remember is spray paints can’t cover surface imperfections. If that’s your goal, we suggest switching to a different painting method.
- 2No need to use a primer. Most people will tell you that primer is important to keep your paint job last longer. However, that is not always the case, and vinyl is an exception. All you need to do is ensure that the surface is clean and, if you can, roughen it up with sandpaper. But, if you can find some spray paint that’s created for vinyl, then it's okay not to pre-sand it.
- 3After you’ve cleaned the surface and ditched the primer, you’re ready to start the painting. But don’t just spray paint it however you want. You need to make sure that you spray the can from a distance between 4 to 6 inches away from the surface. If it's too close, you will get an uneven result that looks like an amateur job. Be sure to read the spray can before applying it to ensure that you're doing it correctly. Another thing you need to remember is don’t coat the surface thickly. You don’t just spray everything in the can. You need to lightly spray it and coat it at least twice to ensure a nice, even finish.
- 4Lastly, wait for the spray paint to dry. While spray painting is a straightforward process, it requires a lot of patience. You shouldn't rush the painting job, or else you'll end up with a subpar output. That's why for every layer of paint, you need to wait for it to dry. The waiting time between coats depends on the brand of paint you got. Always check the instructions before you start the paint job. Once you’ve coated the vinyl at least twice (more if you want the color to pop), let it cure for at least 24 hours.

Spray Paint Vs Tin Paint On Vinyl
When tackling any DIY project, it’s always a good approach to research the best materials to use.
So, if you’re looking into painting vinyl, you might be wondering if spray paint or tin paint is best for your project. Well, that depends on what you’re after and how knowledgeable you are when it comes to painting surfaces.
If you know how to use a paintbrush and the proper technique to get even coats, tin paint may be an ideal choice. However, amateur DIY painters may find it hard to achieve an even coating when using paintbrushes.
That’s why we always recommend them to use spray paint instead since there are no brushstrokes or techniques that you should learn.
In addition, spray paints are more convenient and less messy than tin paints—no need to buy additional materials like rollers, brushes, or buckets. Everything you need is in the can.
Important Tips When Spraying Vinyl
One thing that sets a good paint job apart from a bad one is the "orange peel" effect. This means the surface looks rough. But you can avoid this from happening by understanding why it happens.
The first reason why your paint job might have this effect is if you're applying thick coats instead of thin ones. If the layers are too thick, they are unable to dry properly, resulting in a bumpy finish.
Another reason is that the paint dries up too quickly, leaving little to no time for it to stick to the surface properly. If this happens, the problem isn't your spraying technique or the paint but the imperfections of the surface.
You probably haven't thoroughly cleaned the surface, which results in this messy result. Unfortunately, you need to start over to fix this issue. However, if you’re okay with the orange peel effect, you can leave it.

Spray Painting Vinyl FAQs
Will oil-based paint stick to vinyl?
No, oil paints won’t stick on vinyl surfaces and shouldn’t be used on them.
What primer should I use on vinyl?
No need to use primer when painting vinyl surfaces. If you really want to, you can still use one, but you'll only waste your time and money.
How many coats of paint for vinyl?
It's recommended to put at least two layers of paint on vinyl, but you can put more if you want.
Can you use Rustoleum spray paint on vinyl?
Yes, you can. There are Rustoleum spray paints that can be applied on vinyl.
Conclusion
If you’re doing DIY home improvements, you’ll likely need to repaint vinyl surfaces. Luckily, you don't need to be skilled to paint these surfaces.
You can simply use spray paint, and you're all set. Just make sure to follow our tips above, and you'll end up with a professional-looking paint job.