What To Know About Painting in the Winter

Where we live, it rarely gets above 50 degrees between November and March. But when we have a few days of sunshine, we can still sometimes complete exterior painting projects, thanks to modern paints that can be applied down to nearly freezing temperatures.

Still, winter painting is a tenuous task. To be successful means carefully lining up a number of factors like avoiding freezing of paint.

“Most professional painters won’t paint until it’s consistently 50 degrees or above and they’re sure the surface is dry,” says Paige NeJame, owner of CertaPro Painters in Boston, Massachusetts. “That said, there are times you must paint in colder weather, such as when an inspection is being conducted, or a home must sell before spring.”

If you find yourself in a pinch, without enough time to wait for the Earth’s axis to tilt back to a favorable position, here’s how to paint like a pro.

About the Experts

Ed Edrosa is senior product manager at Behr Paint Company, with more than 30 years of experience in the coatings industry. He has been an adjunct instructor at Southern California Painting & Decorating Contractors of America Unilateral Apprenticeship Program (SCPDCA UAP) since 2005.

Paige NeJame owns CertaPro Painters, a company that worked on more than 30,000 homes and businesses in the Boston area. With more than 18 years experience in the painting industry, she writes frequently about her craft for national outlets.

Can You Paint in the Winter?

Yes, but it can be tricky.

Most paints may only be applied in temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees. However, some manufacturers also make cold-weather paint that can be used in ambient air temperatures as low as 35 degrees. Even with those, success isn’t guaranteed, but the following steps will help your chances.

Steps for Successful Winter Painting

Choose the right paint

Several companies make paint formulated for cold weather, including Behr and Sherwin-Williams. “You can tell the temperature thresholds by Googling the brand and formula or looking on the paint can,” says NeJame.

Watch the weather

Plan to paint when the forecast calls for several consecutive days of sunshine and adequate temperatures. Remember that painting in wet weather at any temperature can cause blistering, reduce durability and encourage mildew and mold growth. Also pay attention to wind speed and direction to make sure it won’t interfere.

“Regardless of temperature, it’s important to remember that rain can pose challenges for exterior paint,” says Edrosa. “If rain is anticipated within the next four to eight hours, it’s recommended to postpone the painting process.”

Use a moisture meter

A moisture meter can help you determine if a surface is dry enough to paint. If it reads more than 12% to 15% for wood, that’s too wet.

Here’s another tip from NeJame: “If you need to paint outside after it rains, vertical walls usually dry faster than flat decks. This is because gravity helps vertical surfaces shed water, while water tends to pool longer on horizontal surfaces.”

Paint midday

Keep your paint warm and apply it during the warmest part of the day, typically from late morning through mid-afternoon. But try not to paint in direct sunlight, NeJame says. “This is because these paints set up really fast and if they dry too quickly, they won’t adhere well,” she says.

Also: Apply thin coats, work in small sections, and make sure to finish early enough to allow the paint to dry before the temperature drops and dew forms.

Follow the directions

Closely adhere to manufacturer instructions about minimum temperature and paint drying times, and don’t paint if your weather falls outside of those specifications. If you’ve had prolonged cold days, remember the material you’re painting might be colder than the air temperature. That’s not optimal.

“It’s essential to consider not just the high temperatures but also the low temperatures of the day,” says Edrosa. “Ensure that low temperatures remain above the minimum threshold necessary for the paint to cure effectively, particularly in the days following application.”

Extend drying times

Paint often dries and cures more slowly in the cold, so plan for at least 24 hours between coats. “This advice becomes particularly crucial when applying darker colors that contain a higher amount of colorant,” says Edrosa.

Common Cold Weather Painting Pitfalls

Just because a paint is capable of curing at low temperatures doesn’t mean you won’t have issues. One of the biggest mistakes people make is not realizing how critical the first 48 hours of the drying and curing process are, Edrosa says.

“It’s crucial both air and surface temperatures remain above the minimums [during that time], even in the evenings,” he says. “If they don’t, condensation can run down the wet film, carrying away the paint and leaving streaks.”

A few more tips from Edrosa to keep in mind:

• Oil-based paints are susceptible to blushing or showing uneven colors from condensation during drying.
• Water-based paints may have prolonged sensitivity to spotting issues and surfactant leaching (i.e. when paint ingredients separate and cause drippy streaks).
• Cold paint can be thick and sticky, leading to heavy buildups and slower drying times.

Interior Painting in Cold Weather

Unlike exterior painting, painting inside during the colder months can be ideal, NeJame says. That’s because the air tends to be less humid, so paint will dry faster. Plus, painting companies tend to be less busy during colder months. So if you’re hiring a pro, you might get a better deal.