How Weather Influences Your Paint Job in San Diego

How does weather affect my paint job? When is the best time to repaint my home exterior? These are common questions we get from homeowners in San Diego and other surrounding areas.

Well, we probably don’t need to explain why it’s better not to paint in the winter when it’s raining or freezing. But did you know that painting in hot weather does not always give excellent results either?

Quality paint and the right tools are essential for a durable paint job. But climatic conditions such as temperature, humidity, rain, and wind also play their part. Here is a quick look at how weather can affect your exterior paint project;

Temperature
Temperature is critical if you’re planning for exterior painting in San Diego. Both too high and too low are undesirable. Either the paint dries too quickly, or not at all.

Painting Projects outdoors
• When the temperature is below 5 ° C, the paint will not dry. Try not to work if the temperature drops below 10 ° C.
• Do you plan to paint metal surfaces? Make sure that the temperature of these surfaces is 10 ° C.
On metals, the temperature is more likely lower than that of the ambient air.

Tip: If you still have to paint outside in winter and the temperature is between 0 and 5 ° C, there are special types of paint for it. Go to your nearest paint store and ask for advice.

Exterior House Painting
• The drying is slower under 10 ° C, and below 5 ° C, the water-based paint no longer dries at all.
• If the temperature exceeds 30 ° C, the drying process is faster, and the application of the paint becomes more difficult.
Tip: Paint, preferably at a temperature between 15 and 25 ° C.

Rain and Moisture
In rainy or foggy weather, painting outdoors is really not a good idea. If you have to paint during this season, take into account the humidity before you start.

Exterior House Painting
• If the humidity exceeds 85%, the paint film will not form properly, and condensation may occur.
• If the rate is 100%, you will notice the presence of surface moisture, a sign that the water is not evaporating. The air is saturated with water, and the paint will not dry either.
• Allow sufficient drying time after rain or fog. The drier the surface is when you paint, the more excellent the result will be. It will also last longer.
• Generally, the paint will dry faster if the air humidity is low (30 to 40%).

The Sun
Painting in full sun is not ideal because the paint dries quickly, making it hard to apply a consistent cover.

Painting work outdoors
• Wood surfaces: work when the sunshine is mild, preferably in the evening hours. Residual moisture in the pores of the wood would have evaporated. If you paint before the sun comes in, the fresh paint may dry out too quickly, which can cause bubbles to form.
• On metal surfaces: it is better to work in the evening hours to avoid the temperature of the surface being too high at the time of drying.

The wind
The wind can also significantly disrupt your painting work.
• If there is a lot of wind, the paint dries too quickly, which reduces its adherence.
• Also, there is a great risk that dust will stick to the wet paint before it dries.
• Avoid dusty atmospheres and always clean the surface before you start panting.

The Bottom Line
As you can see, weather plays a critical role in the success of your exterior paint job. For the best results, avoid painting when it’s too hot or too cold, windy, rainy, or when there is high moisture in the air. For flawless, high-quality, and durable paint results, always consider hiring a professional painting contractor.

If you haven’t identified a reliable painting contractor in San Diego yet, Peek Brothers Painting would love an opportunity to be your go-to residential painter. We are complimented around the town on our cleanliness, reliability, and pleasant personalities of our crew members.
If you would like to give us a try today, book a FREE estimate below, or call us at (858)505-1361 for more information.