3 Tips For Exterior Painting In Cold Weather
Cold weather painting can result in unimpressive results. For instance, the paint may not dry properly, which can lead to cracks in the paint film. Luckily, cold weather painting is still possible if you have the correct supplies and techniques.
Follow these tips for a successful cold-weather paint job.
Check the Surface Temperature
Sometimes the surface temperature can be colder than the ambient air temperature, especially if it's windy. For instance, if the air temperature is 20 degrees, but the surface is 5 degrees, this is equivalent to painting in 5-degree weather, which isn't ideal.
Also, freeze-thaw cycles can make some surfaces remain frozen even under sunlight. So, wipe exterior surfaces with a dry cloth before painting to ensure you aren't painting on ice.
Professional painters use infrared thermometers to check if the surface is right for painting. An infrared thermometer is quite affordable, so invest in one for future painting projects.
Follow the Sun
If you have a large painting project that will take more than a day to finish, watch the weather forecast for the coming days and plan accordingly. Wait for the days when sunshine will be plenty when both surface and air temperatures are high enough for painting.
Ideally, you should plan your project when the sun shines directly on the surfaces you want to paint, preferably between 10 am and 2 pm. Start painting where the sun begins to shine, and follow it around your lot as it moves.
When evening comes and outdoor temperatures plunge, stop painting and wait for the next day. This way, you ensure you get the best results after you're done with your project.
Use Low-Temperature Paint and Cold Weather Tools
Thanks to technology, paint materials specifically for use in low temperatures are now available. So, your exterior painting project doesn't have to stop when cold weather kicks in. Also, since the paint dries slowly during cold weather, allow more drying time between paint coats.
You can also invest in a coating designed for cold weather. In addition to the low temp paint, choose appropriate brushes. Paint tends to thicken in cold weather, so buy brushes made for thicker paints, such as polyester or nylon paint brushes. These brushes are stiff, which makes them perfect for the job.
Cold weather exterior painting isn't ideal, but sometimes it's unavoidable. Also, hire professionals from a painting company with enough hands-on experience to help you with your project.
Contact an exterior painter for more information.