The Worst Weather Conditions for Exterior Painting

If you’re preparing to spruce up the exterior of your home, you may find yourself wondering about the best and worst weather conditions for exterior painting. And you should, since painting a house is no easy task. Luckily, the professionals at Bear Mountain Custom Painting are here to help with advice on which exterior painting weather conditions to avoid.

Water and Moisture

You obviously shouldn’t paint the exterior of your home while it’s raining, but how soon after the rain can you paint the exterior of your house? The answer is simple: as soon as the surface is completely dry. This is because a wet or damp surface won’t allow for smooth paint application. Painting on a wet surface also leaves your results prone to frequent flaking, cracking, and blistering.

Extreme Temperatures

The extreme heat can be bad for you—and it can also be bad for your paint job. Applying paint in hot weather can cause the paint to dry too quickly. The paint won’t have enough time to spread into the crevasses of your home, resulting in cracking and chipping. The hot weather can also dry out the paint on your brushes and rollers, causing it to harden.

It can also be too cold to paint outside. According to The Balance Small Business, “cold weather slows drying time and extends recoat times. Recoat time using latex paints at 75 degrees Fahrenheit requires a period of four hours. If the temperature drops to 50 degrees, the recoat time will be extended to six hours.” Therefore, it’s crucial to consider the temperature when you’re about to begin a project, as it could affect the project’s timeline.

Sunlight

Like an extremely hot day, direct sunlight can also dry out your paint too quickly—though it happens for a different reason. Direct sunlight can break down the binding agents and pigments in the paint you’re using. Over time, this can make the paint less durable and even more susceptible to the elements. Too much sun exposure can ultimately cause the paint to prematurely deteriorate, resulting in chalking, fading, and even erosion.

If you’re still unsure about which exterior painting weather conditions to avoid, Bear Mountain Custom Painting’s trained professionals will be able to give you more answers. After assessing the situation, we’ll make sure your exterior painting project in Cumming, GA is a successful endeavor.