Spring/Fall Weather Painting Tips
You might think it's warm enough to perform exterior paint projects, but we know looks can be deceiving. Before you do any exterior painting whether Spring or Fall seasons, check out these cold weather painting tips.
Helping Minneapolis St. Paul homeownrs be successful when painting in marginal weather
Spring/Fall Painting Tips
It's tempting. We get it. The first nice day in the Spring seems like the perfect opportunity to get a jump on your exterior projects—especially the ones that make your home look better instantly. But it's still a little early to perform exterior painting. Hey, if we won't do it yet, you shouldn't either, right? Let's look at a couple of reasons why that is. Hint—it's all about the temperature. View the 1-miute video below for a quick summary...
Low temp paints
How Cold Weather Adversely Affects Latex Paint
Most latex paints are not to be used in temperatures less than 50° F. The exception would be some exterior acrylic paints specially formulated for use down to 35°, including as all Hirshfield exterior low temp paints.
Temperature falls into two categories—the ambient surface and material. No doubt these are pretty much self-explanatory, but insist on thoroughness so we’ll add these definitions:
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- The ambient temperature is the temperature of the surrounding air.
- The surface temperature is the temperature of the substrate being painted
- Material temperature is the temperature of the paint product being applied.
Homeowners are afraid to pick th wrong color
Getting it Done Right the First Time
To achieve a successful paint job, all three of the following conditions must be met. Be advised there are still many ways to screw up a paint job, but in this blog we’ll just be dealing with paint and temperature.
1. The building being painted should have a heating system in place adequate to maintain an even and consistent AMBIENT temperature above 50° F.
2. The building being painted should have a heating system in place adequate to maintain an even and consistent SURFACE temperature above 50° F.
3. The paint should also be stored in a heated area above 50° F. Paint left outside or in a vehicle overnight in cold weather below 50° F may take SEVERAL HOURS at room temperature to warm up to an acceptable temperature.
DO TIPS:
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- Apply thin coats.
- Start early. Allow for as much moderate temperature drying/curing time as possible.
- Use high-quality paint. You might feel like you’re getting a bargain, but if you have to reapply paint again and again, you’re deal just evaporated. If you are unsure about the right paint type, color or sheen for your project your Sherwin-Williams store is a good resource.
- Call Murphy Bros. Paint Division and let the pros do it.
DON’T TIPS:
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- Paint in direct sunlight or during the hottest time of the day. High temps can cause flash drying which can lead to poor adhesion or a streaky-looking finish.
- Never apply paint to a moist or wet surface or to a surface that will be rained on before it is cured.
- Windy conditions should also be avoided as your surface can be showered with air-born debris creating a rough finish.
- Forget to prep properly. Your paint job is only as good as the condition of the surface on which you are applying the paint. Fill cracks and holes. Scrap loose paint, you know all the things you hate doing that we do so well. Just saying.
Worst case scenario
What Happens if You Apply Paint in Weather Too Cold?
Applying paint that is too cold or in conditions where ambient and surface temperatures are too cold (below 50° F) for most paints can, as master painter Dan Flaherty would say, “adversely affect,” or as our field paint manager Jim Kachel would translate, “totally screw up,” performance, proper film formation, dry times and color.
While most latex paints contain glycol to give them some measure of freeze/thaw stability, many of today’s low and/or no VOC paints will not tolerate being stored or transported in freezing temperatures. Exposure to temperatures below 32° F for EVEN A FEW HOURS can cause issues that render the paint unusable.
Precautions should be taken with water-borne products too. This is especially true with the low and no VOC products during the cold weather months to make sure they don’t freeze.
What do you really get with a professional paint job?
An Expert Hand
As you can see, prepping for an external paint job and the painting process are very involved. "How hard can it be?" is the most common phrase spoken right before a disaster. So, consider these significant advantages: A pro can plan the job to be done in optimum weather. A pro will use the right tools, rollers, sprayers, brushes, ladders, and get it done quicker and safer. And with a warranty. From the standpoint of which is more cost-effective, paying someone else for expertise or not paying yourself to risk it all to save a buck, it's a no-brainer. But just in case you do take it on, at least you have some tips to guide you.
We want you to be able to look at your property and smile with confidence knowing that your exterior paint is exactly as you’d like it to be and for a long time to come.
