Skip to main content

Temperatures Affect Exterior Paint

Most homeowners can attest to the wear and tear paint endures on the exterior of a home. One of the main causes of exterior paint deterioration is the weather. That’s why painting the exterior of any building in the right weather conditions is important to get a smooth finish.

exterior paint

Temperatures and Their Effect on Exterior Painting

Knowing when to paint the exterior of a home or building is key to getting a good finish. Cold temperatures are not ideal because the paint will become thicker and take forever to dry. If the temperature is too hot, the paint will not bind correctly, causing blisters to form on the surface.

Paint expands in the heat. Over time, the paint will crack and peel. Extremely hot temperatures will cause the paint to fade more quickly. It will be an issue for the painter as well. UV rays from the sun can be dangerous.

Paint technology has evolved over the years. The ideal time for exterior painting is controlled by ambient temperature, seasons, and, direct sunshine. A painting project should be scheduled when the forecast for a 2 to 3-day span calls for:

  • No rain
  • Little or no wind
  • Mild temperatures
  • Low humidity

A professional painter should know the best time of the day to start painting the exterior or a home or commercial building. Starting early will build in a few hours of headstart time, giving the paint enough time to dry.

REQUEST A QUOTE!

Humidity

Paint can become compromised when the humidity is too high or too low. As for Nevada, the humidity is typically low in the summer months. Locals and visitors alike call it “a dry heat”. Humidity is the presence of moisture in the air. When the humidity is too low while painting the exterior of a home, the atmosphere will grab moisture from the paint, absorbing small particles.

This will cause the paint to dry out too quickly, making it more likely to shrink, crack or peel. For best results, an exterior paint job should be done when the relative humidity is between 40-50 percent. The surface being painted should be completely dry to ensure a good bond.

Your best bet for painting your home is timing the project around seasons with ideal temperatures and humidity levels. The perfect time of the year is mid to late spring.

Drying and Curing Times

Temperature and weather are major contributors to how paint dries and cures. The drying process of painting involves the evaporation of solvents added to the paint. For paint to dry correctly, the weather should be dry and sunny. When the paint is completely dry, there should be no smudges when touched.

The curing process hardens the paint forming a stronger bond to the surface. This can take days or weeks. Factors that affect the drying and curing time includes the temperature and humidity, as well as:

  • The thickness of the paint
  • Surface to be painted: wood, concrete, vinyl, fiber cement
  • The paint sheen: flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, high-gloss
  • Brand and type of paint
  • Number of coats applied
  • Color of the paint

About Battle Born Painting

Battle Born Painting is a full-service painting company servicing Reno, NV and nearby cities. Great customer service and quality workmanship is the foundation of Battle Born’s success. All of the painters at Battle Born have the experience, skill, and painting knowledge to help customers make informed decisions.

__CONFIG_group_edit__{}__CONFIG_group_edit____CONFIG_local_colors__{“colors”:{“3b094″:”Accent Color”,”ea8c0″:”Border”},”gradients”:{}}__CONFIG_local_colors__

REQUEST A QUOTE TODAY!

Our professional painters are excited to start working with you

cALL NOW (775) 414-4843