Tips for Achieving a Successful Winter Painting Project
Posted on February 5, 2024
If you haven’t been able to finish painting your home or business before winter arrives, you may encounter some seasonal challenges that come with a wintertime painting job. But don’t worry, CertaPro of Charlotte-Matthews can help you overcome some of these issues to make your project a breeze.
Challenge #1: THE TYPE OF PAINT
It is important to select the appropriate type of paint that can work efficiently in low temperatures before starting your painting project. There are various types of paints available in the market that are specifically designed to perform well in cold weather conditions. Our team is well-versed in comprehending the requirements of your job to match with the correct materials. Some types of paints may not be suitable for winter jobs, for instance, latex paint, which can become lumpy and unusable post-freezing and thawing multiple times. Oil-based paint is more long-lasting in colder temperatures, whereas the freezing point of latex paint is the same as water. We collaborate with multiple vendors to ensure that we always have the best product for your job!
Challenge #2: TEMPERATURE
To achieve the best results when painting your home or business exterior, it’s important to consider the right temperature for the job. For optimal conditions, the surface and air temperature should be stable and over 30 degrees. Timing is also crucial when it comes to painting, so it’s best to start painting early in the day, around late morning, when the sun starts to warm the surface of your home. You should continue painting for the rest of the day until mid-afternoon before the air becomes damp with moisture and the cold sets in. Low temperatures can affect the characteristics of the paint, making alkyd and oil paints stickier, and other paint types thicker or semi-solid, which will require continuous thinning. Our expert project managers are in the field with our painters to ensure that your painting project stays on schedule.
Challenge #3: RECOATING
Drying time is extended in lower temperatures, so you will need to wait longer when recoating with paint. For example, with latex paint, the drying period is approximately 4 hours, but if the temperature drops below 30 degrees, it can take up to 6 hours. With alkyd paints, you will have to wait up to 48 hours before recoating. Drying times may vary depending on the amount of sunlight the painted surface receives.
Other Challenges
Other issues that may arise when painting in low temperatures include film cracking, water spotting, and poor color uniformity. If you’re painting on a windy day, be sure to apply more coats of paint as the wind can cause the paint to crack. A solution to help with wind and temps is to build a protective shield to protect yourself from colder temperatures. Painters can build a protective shield around the area they are working on. Use a thick screen of plastic to close off the area and use a heater to warm up the space. Be sure to keep the temperature consistent and the area properly ventilated.
Schedule Your Next Winter Painting Project Today
Painting your home or business in the winter requires careful planning, just like any other painting project. Let CertaPro Painters of Charlotte-Matthews & Salisbury/Gastonia/Concord help you with your estimate and planning so you can start your new painting project today!
