All you folks looking to paint white vinyl windows in dark colors: the issue actually is more than whether the paint sticks, but there is a solution. in the same boat, I researched this last summer. Turns out that light colored windows, if painted dark, could absorb enough additional heat from the sun to warp the windows and affect their fit and performance. so there are two possibilities here, or three if you count leaving them alone. You can paint them a light color. Use the Zinsser primer that's good for plastics, and use any good quality (say that again: GOOD QUALITY! Cheaply made paint doesn’t cover, stick, or last like the good stuff. It just doesn’t.) light colored paint. But if you really, really want a dark color, all is not lost. Both Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams manufacture paint specifically for vinyl siding, trim, or windows in a limited range of colors that includes some nice darks and brights. It’s formulated to reflect light so less heat builds up. You’ll have to special order it and it costs more. Your paint store person may not even realize it exists, but you can show them on the manufacturer website. Worth it not to have to replace those windows.

Welcome. You might have better responses to this post if you post it in the Home Decorating forum. Good luck!

Thanks all! Really wish I remember the paint. I did examine it once and it wasn’t any special off brand kind. It was black paint that was made for exterior applications. They didn’t prime, they had to do several coats and were really exceptional painters though, the kind that don’t use tape and they freehanded everything. It was pretty incredible. Like I said, after a year, some wear showed where leaves or debris had hit the paint and chipped a bit but quick touch ups were easy for me to tackle.

@sharron08: yes, Pella was definitely cheaper than Marvin because they also offered the installation at a discount. If you buy from Marvin, you will need to find your own installer, and that was a deal breaker for us since finding competent professionals around here is kind of difficult. And our builder didn't seem familiar with Marvin, probably because they don't have a strong presence here. I would recommend that you get some additional quotes from different window brands. In Albuquerque there not many, unfortunately, this is why Pella dominates the market. You can still get quotes from Marvin and Kolbe, who have dealers in Santa Fe. Pacific Mutual Door and Windows in Albuquerque is supposed to sell Marvin and Milgard, but we were unsuccessful in getting a quote from them.