wisc's getting cold fast - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

rservices · 10-09-2006, 07:25 AM

3/4 the way thru painting my house, and the temps droping. mid 50's all week

Im using SW super paint, should I wait for warmer weather or just go for it

AFI · 10-09-2006, 08:22 AM

You can use Super Paint up to low 36 F but I'm haven't any Experience on cold weather.

chuckdec · 10-09-2006, 11:13 AM

[quote=rservices;140995]3/4 the way thru painting my house, and the temps droping. mid 50's all week

Im using SW super paint, should I wait for warmer weather or just go for it[/QUOTE

We work out of Mass and have seen some spot frost in the suburbs in the past 2-3 weeks and generally stop all outdoor coatings by October 1st.
Some manufacturers carry a "Low Temp" product with limited sheens.
Your best bet would be to contact the manufacturer and pop the question to them, (tech support, or if you’re a contractor, call your rep).
Curing process takes up to 21 days and you need to watch the overnight lows.
Think of it as a room full of basketballs, during the curing process visualize these basketballs spreading and expanding to form one uniform film, without the proper drying conditions the curing process will suffer.

Good Luck,
Charlie

Humble Abode · 10-09-2006, 12:24 PM

Colder temperatures will generally extend your dry times. It says right on the can of Super Paint:

Dry Time
35 - 45 degrees - 2 hours to touch and 24 hours to recoat
45+ degrees - 1 hour to touch and 4 hours to recoat

The primary reason you need temperatures to be above 50 degrees (24 hours before and after) when you paint is to draw the moisture out of the substrate. This only matters with porous substrates i/e wood. Not so much with aluminum siding.

If you used a moisture meter before you primed and it showed moisture levels below 15%, you will be OK to use a low temp topcoat, down to 36 degrees.

Richard · 10-09-2006, 03:51 PM

You're fine. Most exterior paint these days is 35 and above. Get that house done!

ps- how do you know 'warmer' weather will come?

rservices · 10-09-2006, 05:52 PM

thanks for the post,
I was able to get one whole side done, their calling for snow this weekend

Richard · 10-09-2006, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rservices

thanks for the post,
I was able to get one whole side done, their calling for snow this weekend

Wow...snow....almost time for you to hibernate indoors soon then!

AAPaint · 10-09-2006, 09:29 PM

Yup, with super paint down to 35F we can paint exteriors pretty much all year long with no issues. Luckily it seems we get more interior work naturally during the cold months because people are inside staring at their walls.

Joewho · 10-10-2006, 12:41 AM

Don't forget that with Wisconsin's lower temperatures comes lower humidity. It may be the saving factor.