NOT TOO COLD
NOT TOO HOT
NOT TOO WET

There is more at stake in starting a job in fair weather than the comfort of the painter. Paint performs better in mild conditions, in fact poor painting conditions can greatly compromise the paint job.

NOT TOO COLD

For many paints, the minimum application temperature is 10°C, which applies to the surface being painted as well as the air temperature. Painting at low temperatures, whether acrylic or oil-based paint, will make brushing and rolling more difficult, retard proper drying, and leave the wet paint susceptible to capturing airborne dirt, insects and pollen. With acrylic products it is advisable only to paint when the temperature is predicted to remain above the recommended minimum for the next 36 hours, so that the paint can form a film properly, and quality will not be compromised.

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NOT TOO HOT

Because of the way acrylic paints form their film, very hot conditions can make the paint dry too fast and compromise durability. Avoid painting in the following conditions, especially if more than one is present: air or surface temperature than exceeds 90 degrees, direct sunshine especially with dark coloured paint, gusty winds, low humidity, on highly porous surfaces such as old, weathered stucco.

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NOT TOO WET

When painting with solvent based paints, allow damp surfaces to dry fully before painting.  Waterbased paints however, are more forgiving of damp surfaces. Any surface water should be removed, but waterbased paints can be applied if the surface is still damp.

But what about painting in rainy weather ?  Naturally it is not a good idea to be painting while rain is actually falling because it could result in the fresh, undried paint being rinsed off the wall.  An old ‘rule of thumb?which generally works well, is ? if you wouldn’t hang out your washing, don’t paint?

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