Of course, we all figure the summertime is the ideal season to work on your home’s exterior painting projects. But we also know how busy this time of year gets and how common it is for painting to get pushed off for a few months. If you find yourself need to complete a project in cold weather, you are definitely not alone. If you still plan on completing your home exterior project before year’s end, you should lean on the knowledge of local Painters in Moorestown. Hiring or consulting an expert in your region of New Jersey could save you ample amounts of time and money. These experts are familiar with the local climate and the effects it can have on the quality of your painting.
Here are a few tips to consider when painting outside in the cold weather:
Avoid Oil-Based Paints: When choosing your desired exterior paint, more needs to be considered than just the color. You should make yourself aware of the differences between the two main paints: oil-based and water-based (latex). If the paint you apply is oil-based, the resins within the paint will thicken with the lowering temperatures which makes it hard to apply evenly and smoothly. Then there is water-based paint which is known for its smoother consistency but with colder temperatures it can be susceptible to freezing. To avoid this, mix your paint with an anti-freeze additive. This is your best bet if you are looking to avoid improper bonding of the paint chemicals.
Be Sure Your Surface is Ideal Temperature: A good rule of thumb to have when painting is to make sure the exterior surface is not colder than the air. This time of year, it is common to see colder surfaces when your area is experiencing wind and on mornings after a chilly night. You should be absolutely sure it’s a proper temperature before painting, many go out and buy an infrared thermometer. This is a tool most painters will have with them and is also simple to use and affordable in stores.
Be Aware of Paint That Was Frozen Previously: Just from the sounds of it, I would bet we all realize water-based paint is more susceptible to freezing. Oil-based paint rarely freezes. This doesn’t necessarily mean you cannot use water-based paint that has thawed out. You should see if the paint regains its smooth consistency. If it does you should absolutely use it, if it still has clumps you should refrain.
Build a Bubble: This is for your extreme scenarios. If your home remodeling project must be done in the cold of winter or must be continued through iffy weather, you’ll need to enclose the area. Obviously, it doesn’t need to look like a bubble. Most homeowners just use plastic sheeting and either a wooden frame or scaffolding. This alone will not increase the temperature, so you need to put space heaters in the area to get it to an optimal 80 degrees. This has its concerns; you must be careful with heaters in such a small area.