About 10 years ago we had some of our old windows replaced with tudor style windows but these vinyl replacement windows at that time only came in white trim and white dividers inside. I would like to paint the trim either dark brown or black but I have been given differing ideas as to how to do this. Clean with varsol and use a good oil paint, or roughen with steel wool and use a latex paint as it handles temperature changes better, prime them, don't prime them, and the latest one, spray a dye specially made for vinyl. I want to do whatever works best and lasts the longest.
Answer:
Actually, none of it will work as well as the finish that you presently have. The roughing up, priming and painting with latex is about the best but even that will only endure for a couple of years at best. Think of this before you start because once you've roughed up the surface, you'll be into a life-of-the-window project.
