Temperature to Paint Outside – Weather’s Impact on Outdoor Art
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So, you are planning to slap a new coat of paint onto the exterior of your home, but the weather is not looking too great. While it may seem like it would not matter too much, it is important to have the ideal temperature to paint outside. Fortunately, there is a lot more that goes into it than simply checking the weather forecast, as some paints have different temperature ranges that need to be considered. Below, we will break down different conditions for painting and the different paints that can be used. Keep reading to find out more!
Table of Contents
Why Temperature Matters When Painting Outside
The temperature is a key influence in your property having an even and perfect finish while painting it. Drying at too low or too high temperatures may result in peeling and cracking of the paint. Additionally, bear in mind how hot it gets under direct sunlight. If your home is exposed to intense sunshine, the paint may become considerably hotter. It can be tempting to start painting on a hot day, but painting in 100℉ weather is a bad idea. So, finding the best temperature for exterior painting is something that needs to seriously be considered before starting. Another important thing that needs to be considered is the temperature fluctuations.
Naturally, it gets colder in the evening, so it would be better to paint in the warmer months to avoid extreme drops in temperature at night. This would have a negative impact on the drying time, so naturally, there are certain temperatures and overall weather conditions that should be avoided. There are also negative effects on paint during hot and cold weather, so it would be best to do the job when the paint will not be exposed to extreme weather conditions.
Why Proper Curing Is Important
Depending on the type of paint that you use, it will need a certain period to cure. However, this can be negatively affected by extreme temperatures. Paint that has not cured properly will begin to crack, peel, or blister. So, what happens if you ignore the ideal outdoor paint temperature? Find out below.
Cold Weather
If the temperature falls below 55℉, the rate at which paint cures slows. When paint takes an extended period to dry, its exterior remains wet for a longer duration of time, drawing insects, debris, filth, and other contaminants. Cold weather is also not the best temperature to paint outside as it shortens the total life of the paintwork.
In cold weather, oil-based paints thicken, resulting in harder brushing, heavier use, and lower coverage per gallon.
Hot Weather
When you paint your house in extreme heat, the paint will end up drying too quickly and the heat inhibits bonding. Blisters and bubbles emerge in the paint at temperatures that exceed 90℉. Another issue that occurs is that the paint dries and it may begin to peel from the exterior wall.
High Humidity
The amount that can be measured of water vapor in the air is referred to as humidity. High humidity causes water vapor to develop on the newly painted surface. For outdoor painting, the recommended humidity level ranges from 40 and 70%. Trying to paint in a too-humid setting might lead to, brown or white discoloration emerging on the exterior of oil-based or latex paints, this is referred to as leaching, undermining the paint’s protective properties, and moisture draining too slowly from the paint’s solvents.
This results in a prolonged cure time as well as a poor finish.
Rain
Whatever the temperature, keep in mind that rain may and will cause a series of problems with exterior paint. If rain is predicted in the following four to eight hours, it would be a good idea to hold off. It is essential that the surface is dry before you begin painting, this is to ensure a good bond.
However, four to eight hours of dry weather is still required once the paint is done. You may also look at the description on the paint can for further information, or speak with a paint specialist near you. Regardless of the temperature, rain is far from the best weather to paint outside.
Ideal Temperature Range for Painting Outside
Before you decide to start painting outside, the type of paint that you are using will determine when not to paint outside. There are three main types of paint that are ideal for outdoor use, latex, acrylic, and oil-based paint. Each of these has specific advantages and disadvantages.
So this is another set of factors that would need to be considered before use.
Temperature Ranges for Different Types of Paint
The general temperature range for painting outdoors is 50℉ while the paint is being applied to the exterior surface and it should never drop below 32℉ for a few days throughout the curing process. However, this should generally be applied to oil-based and latex paint, as acrylic paint will not cure properly when exposed to temperatures below 50℉. For the best results, it is best to stick between 50℉ and 70℉ for latex paint and 45℉ and 90℉ for oil-based paint. There are ways to paint in lower temperatures, specifically if you use specially formulated latex paint that is developed with coalescing agents that are designed to strengthen paint curing features in low temperatures.
This type of paint can be used in temperatures as low as 36℉. However, the optimal temperature range would be 77℉, but it is still okay to paint within a broad range of temperatures. Because temperature swings more particularly outside, it is where the majority of problems originate. We recommend scheduling your painting project for temperatures ranging from 35℉ to 100℉, with as little humidity as possible.
Important Factors to Consider When Painting Outside
Considering surface and air temperatures might fluctuate significantly, keep this in mind. After a cold spell, certain outdoor surfaces may take a couple of days to warm up. Because some paints require at least a day to properly cure, always monitor the environment after the day you paint to guarantee that the temperature does not fluctuate too much while the paint is curing. Most experts advocate following the shadow of the sun around the house to prevent painting in direct sunshine (which can cause the paint to dry too quickly) and on hot surfaces outside.
Allow a sufficient amount of time for the paint to become dry to the touch before dusk when colder temperatures and dew formation begin.
Painting in Different Regions
The scheduling of these improvements might be challenging depending on where in the country you reside. As a result, we have performed the legwork for you. We investigated the ideal months to begin painting the outside in various places.
The Midwest
The Midwest is one of the more difficult places to navigate. Cities such as Detroit, Milwaukee, and Chicago are included. Temperatures in the Midwest fluctuate from subzero in May to 70°F in March. Obviously, early summer and fall offer the best weather and temps for painting outside. For starters, there is usually less rainfall and hence less humidity.
Second, the temperature difference between day and night is minor.
Southern States
Arizona, Florida, and Texas, for example, provide considerably more flexibility throughout the course of the year to start painting your home. With higher temps all year, you will want to keep an eye on your daily lows and highs. Therefore, early fall could be your best chance to paint the outside of your home. It is also critical to avoid intense sunshine and extremely high temperatures. The extremely hot summer days in Florida can frequently cause exterior coatings to bubble and blister. We recommend that you choose UV-resistant paint to assist you in enduring the hot summer heat. UV-resistant paint will additionally be more resilient, but it will also preserve the color of your paint from fading.
Monitoring Exterior Temperatures
The air temperature indicates how swiftly the molecules move. The higher the temperature you experience, the more energy the molecules have in motion. Thermometers are used to measure the temperature of the air. The most common thermometers are made of a glass rod containing a very thin tube.
It would be a good idea to do an accurate temperature reading before painting if you do not have a thermometer, it would not hurt to check the local weather forecast.
Tips for Painting Outside in Cooler Temperatures
Most homeowners, painters, and remodelers aim to complete all painting tasks during the warmer months. Both outdoors and indoors, the weather conditions permit far greater results. However, time is not always perfect, and we may become distracted by other responsibilities. Painting in cold weather has unique challenges, but given a few methods, the process may still be pleasurable and profitable. One of the most difficult aspects of painting outside in the winter is that the paint requires more time to cure.
While paint responds differently in cold conditions than it does in warm conditions, winter months can still afford ample possibilities to complete tasks. When embarking on this endeavor, it is critical to have the proper supplies and to employ the proper approach. Below are some helpful tips for painting in colder weather.
Tracking Sunlight and Weather
Check the weather prediction for the following week before commencing your job so that you can prepare correctly. Find a couple of days when the temperatures are at their peak and the sun is shining. In addition to temperature, drying periods are affected by humidity, sunshine, and other environmental conditions. Remember that direct sunshine quickly increases the exterior temperature of the majority of construction materials. This is recommended during the colder months, so paint in direct sunshine.
This could be the ideal temperature to paint outside in this season.
Pay Attention to Surface Temperatures
The minimal temperature at which your paint may be applied might be related to both the air and the surface being painted. If the ambient temperature is approximately 50℉ but the surface you are repainting is only 40℉, it is as if you are painting in 40℉ weather.
In order to avoid assuming whether or not the circumstances are favorable, paint experts will typically employ infrared thermometers. These tools may be reasonably affordable and are well worth the cost of large home improvement tasks.
Avoid Using Frozen Paint
Water-based paints that have been subjected to multiple cycles of freezing and thawing may still be useful. This; however, is occasionally the case. Unfortunately, previously frozen paint that has clumps and will not blend to a smooth texture is no longer usable.
Water-based paint will freeze at 32°F, although oil-based paint may resist lower temperatures.
Use the Proper Paint
A paint intended for lower drying temperatures will work better and be more dependable than regular paint combined with additives. It is important to remember that the temperature needs to stay at or above the minimum suggested temperature throughout the whole process, not just the application. In addition to selecting the appropriate colors, the paintbrushes you select may make a difference in your paint job. Because paint thickens in lower temperatures, use brushes with Chinex, polyester, or nylon bristles.
Determine the Proper Temperature
Most paint labels caution customers not to paint in conditions below 35°F. Most paint companies now provide acrylic latex paints that may be applied to the outside of your home at temperatures as low as 35°F due to recent developments in paint ingredients.
Painters should try to paint at regular temperatures to achieve a uniform application.
Tips for Painting Outside in Hotter Temperatures
Water is an important component of paint. Water usually evaporates when you transfer paint to a surface, resulting in the creation of a paint film on the surface. Painting in hot weather causes water to evaporate considerably faster, resulting in faster drying periods and incomplete film development. This can cause paint to seem uneven in areas where the coating has dried too rapidly, as well as diminish the paint film’s durability and adherence. So, if you are looking for the perfect temperature to paint outside, but you are wary of the heat, take a look at the tips below.
Keep Your Brushes Clean
In the heat, paint will stick to your rollers and brushes considerably more quickly. To keep your tools clean, wash the brushes as well as the rollers immediately. Leaving them exposed to the heat will make them extremely difficult to clean.
Add Enough Water to the Paint
Water-based paint may be diluted down to 10% with water. We suggest mixing 10% water into your paint for outside jobs to assist in prolonging drying time and permit the paint layer to develop properly. Similarly, we recommend adding 5-10% water to your paint for interior work.
This will shorten the drying duration and allow the paint layer to fully develop.
Do Not Paint in Direct Sunlight
If you are planning an external painting project under hot weather, try to schedule it so that you will be working in shaded places as the sun moves across the sky during the day. It is also important to stay hydrated during the process. Start your painting job in the early hours of the morning, before the sun reaches its peak, or in the late hours of the day, after the sun has set.
Finding the perfect temperature to paint outside is something that always needs to be considered; however, it is impossible to control the weather. Fortunately, we have provided you with all of the information that would be needed to paint outside in different types of weather. Whether it is hot or cold, there are different steps that need to be taken, but it is important to understand when you should paint. We hope that you have learned enough from this guide. Good luck with your next paint job!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Can Be Considered to Be the Best Weather to Paint Outside?
Before you can consider the outdoor paint temperature, you will need to consider the type of paint that you are using. The best temperature for latex paint is between 50℉ and 85℉, whereas oil-based paint is best applied in outdoor temperatures between 40℉ and 90℉. However, there are a variety of other factors that need to be considered as well, which include the type of paint, humidity levels, rain, and so on.
Why Is It Important to Consider the Temperature to Paint Outside?
Temperature plays a big role when it comes to the paint finish. Different weather conditions will have different effects on the finish, whether it is rain, humidity, heat, and cold. The temperature also affects the amount of time that it would take for the paint to dry. The best temperature to paint outside will also differ from one region to the next.
Is It Important to Know When Not to Paint Outside?
Yes, it is! If temperatures are too low, it would be impossible to get the paint to adhere to an exterior surface. The ideal temperature for exterior painting depends on a range of factors such as the paint’s curing time and the forecast for the next few days. However, trying to paint in poor weather is generally not worth it.
Robert Thompson has worked as a self-employed carpenter for over 15 years. He lives with his family in Billings, Montana, where he also successfully operates his business as a woodworker. His main business is the complete interior construction of buildings. He is also passionate about creating high-quality wood furniture with epoxy and other items made from burl wood. Besides the woodwork, Robert is also a skilled DIY professional for all kinds of materials. He always has a solution ready for every craft and construction challenge. Originally, Robert studied civil engineering and has advanced degrees in carpentry and business management. Robert has been working for Craft Art since 2020 and enriches the blog with his immense knowledge and skills in the field of woodworking and home improvement. He writes the articles about DIY and Repair.
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