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
Most latex paints should be applied when the air temperature or
the surface being painted is 35 - 50 degrees F – depending
on the manufacturers recommendation (See paint label). Painting
in cold weather is more difficult, and it takes longer to dry,
leaving the wet paint more susceptible to dirt, insects and pollen.
If you use a latex paint, wait until the temperature is predicted
to remain above the recommended minimum for the next 36 hours!
NOT TOO HOT
If you paint when it’s too hot, the paint may not last as
long. This is especially true with latex paints. Avoid painting
in the following conditions, especially if more than one condition
exists: air or surface temperature exceeds 90 degrees; direct
sunshine (particularly dark colored paint); gusty winds; low humidity;
highly porous surfaces such as old, weathered stucco. For latex
paints, these conditions will adversely affect film formation
of the latex binder (see Ingredients of Paint for more detail)
and not provide you optimum properties. See Causes of Early Exterior
Failure article.
