You’ve got an exterior painting project on your hands, but the colder temperatures are making you question whether the paint will dry properly and give you the professional finish you’re looking for. Cold weather painting can be tricky—if the temperature drops too low, it can lead to uneven drying, poor adhesion, and a less-than-perfect result.
The colder it gets, the more likely you are to experience issues like peeling or cracking—wasting both time and money. Without careful planning and proper techniques, your cold weather painting project could turn into a headache.
In this blog post, we’ll cover essential tips for cold weather painting, including when to avoid it altogether. Whether you’re tackling an exterior or interior job in the Hudson Valley, you’ll find advice to ensure your project turns out perfectly.
Can you paint outside in cold weather?
Exterior painting in cold weather presents several challenges across New York and surrounding areas. For painting outdoors, you want temperatures to be between 50° F and 90° F. In this region, temperatures typically begin to dip below 50°F in late September, and by early October, they consistently fall outside the ideal range for painting.
Will the paint dry properly in cold weather?
Cold weather affects how paint dries. High humidity can cause paint to dry slower. Moisture in the air can form under the paint’s surface causing peeling and blistering. Also snow and ice can accumulate on the paint’s surface, adding weight that can cause the paint to chip and peel.
Cold weather also increases the paint’s viscosity and thickness, making it denser and harder to work with, especially using a sprayer.
At what temperature is it too cold to paint?
Most paint experts agree that once temperatures dip below 32° F exterior painting becomes a significant challenge. Paint may not set correctly, which could mean redoing the work later.
To achieve the best outcome when painting in cold weather, plan ahead! Make sure temperatures in your area will remain above 32°F until the paint has cured.
After completing the prep work, you can plan to start painting during the warmest part of the day between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The surfaces will be warmer, and the paint will begin to dry before cooler temps take over or dew begins to form.
Planning your project around outdoor temps and drying times will ensure your project turns out perfectly.
Can you paint in cold weather inside?
For interior painting jobs, having an indoor heating source or using space heaters to maintain a good temperature helps with the process. Keeping the paint warm and easily applicable is key to a nice application.
What paint is best for cold weather?
If you have an exterior paint job that simply can’t wait, there is hope. Most paint manufacturers offer exterior paint for cold weather. Be sure to choose a brand and formula designed for painting in cold temperatures. Most paint manufacturers offer selections that perform better in cold weather down to 35°F.
Latex-based paints are typically a good option in cold weather but have more of a tendency to freeze with extremely low temperatures.
Oil-based paints are more tolerant of colder temperatures, but don’t use these if the consistency is compromised in freezing weather or if the paint clumps. Cold paint can become sticky and thick leading to heavy buildups and slower drying times.
Follow the directions including temperature recommendations on the paint can for a professional finish.
How to paint in cold weather
Painting in the warmest part of the day is best so before you begin to paint in cold weather, check the weather forecast! Continuous sunny days with warmer temperatures will help your exterior paint project be a success.
Next, every successful paint job requires a nicely prepared surface for the paint to adhere to and look professional. Pick a caulk, primer or filler designed to be used in cold weather. Always read the label to see what temperature is recommended for successful product use.
It’s also equally important to have the proper tools and brushes. Select paint brushes with thick, stiff bristles made of nylon, polyester or Chinex for a nice application of paint. These work well with paints that become denser in cold weather (as opposed to natural bristle brushes). These brushes give you more control when painting and allow the paint to go on more smoothly. Lastly, larger brushes hold more paint and can help cover larger areas more quickly, which is helpful in chilly conditions to start the drying process.
Get professional assistance for cold weather painting
As with any painting job, you want the outcome to be beautiful and professional. Cold weather painting presents challenges to the project outcome. A professional painter understands these challenges and has years of experience to bring to the job and create a good outcome.
George Apap Painting is uniquely positioned to better serve the painting needs of people living in the Hudson Valley – New York. Our family-run business, which is 95 years old, offers continuous instruction and education for employees on professional painting techniques to ensure the best outcome and customer satisfaction for every project. Four generations later, the Apap family is still committed to and passionate about painting!
Contact us today to get a free estimate on your next painting project! Our team of experts will tackle the cold weather and your painting project in a professional and timely manner.