What Is The Best Temperature Range You Can Paint Outside?

Recommended Temperature for Painting Outside

With the warmer weather comes outdoor projects. One of the more popular of them is painting the exterior of your home. You know it’s not quite warm yet if you live in the Northeast. Does that mean it’s not okay to paint your home’s exterior? There are a few factors to consider, like weather conditions and type of paint. The paint experts at Wallauer help answer the popular question, What Is The Best Temperature Range You Can Paint Outside?

What temperature should you not paint outside?

It is highly suggested not to paint below 50 degrees Fahrenheit if you use latex-based paint. If using oil-based paint, you can get away with 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but anything below that is too cold. Why does the temperature matter when it comes to painting outdoors? If it’s too cold, your paint may not bind together correctly, leading to unwelcome cracking and peeling. Lower temperatures mean slower drying and longer curing times, typically 24-hours. Also, be on the lookout for peeling or inability to stick to siding or surfaces.

How can you paint outside in cold weather?

It is essential to dress in warm clothes that allow mobility and you do not mind getting dirty. Painter’s pants are recommended.

What are the best conditions for outdoor painting?

The ideal temperature is 77 degrees Fahrenheit, or within a range of warmer or cooler. Keep in mind surface temperature as well. The air may feel one temperature, but if the sun is shining directly on your home’s siding, it will be warmer, affecting how the paint adheres to the surface. Therefore it is always best to avoid painting or staining in direct sunlight. Do not paint before or immediately after it rains. The humidity can cause the paint not to dry properly. Water droplets can also form over your paint.

What temperature does the paint dry best?

A good temperature range for the paint to dry is between 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

How long should exterior paint dry before applying a second coat?

It is safe to wait four to six hours after the first coat of paint to apply the second coat of paint. If using oil-based paint, waiting 24-hours is the best bet. 

Wallauer Paint, Design, & Hardware offers a variety of quality paints from Benjamin Moore, Farrow & Ball, and Fine Paints of Europe. If you are painting your home’s exterior, talk to one of our friendly paint experts to help you choose the right paint for your job. Stop into one of our 16 stores in and around Westchester County, New York, or visit us online at wallauer.com.