Within the last decade, the way that paint is formulated has changed considerably. Manufacturer’s used to recommend that you have ambient temperatures of 50F before you could paint outdoors and achieve the finish that you are after. Now, there are some paints that allow you to paint outside when temperatures are as low as 35F which is considerably cooler than before. You will find that there are still some conditions that do not favor outdoor painting; such as rainy weather and snowfall. What if you are experiencing high levels of humidity? L.W. Winslow Painting, Inc. is here to talk about humidity and how it can affect the painting project you are getting ready to tackle.
Unavoidable Humidity when Painting Exterior
If you are getting ready to paint the outside of your home, you may be concerned that it is too humid outside to get the job done. What you need to remember is that if you were waiting for a day that is devoid of humidity, you would be waiting for the rest of time. Even the driest climates are going to experience some degree of humidity. You need to be asking the question differently. The question should be ‘how much humidity is too much?’ One thing you should remember is that it doesn’t really matter how much moisture is in the air, but it does matter how much moisture is on the surface. When the surface you trying to paint is wet, you will get paint that fails to cure the way it is intended.
How Humidity Affects Solvent Drying Times
Water based paint is made up of two components: water and solvents. When paint is curing, the water needs to evaporate faster than the solvents. If that doesn’t happen, the paint can’t form a hard surface. When humidity levels are too high, water cannot evaporate properly and the paint will be a gooey mess. The only option at the point is to scrape it away and start all over again.
Humidity is Needed for Exterior Painting
On the flip side, when you don’t have any humidity in the air and blistering sun, the paint will dry too quickly. This is a problem because you don’t want to see brush strokes in your finished product. When there isn’t enough humidity, you will see those strokes as the paint dries much too quickly.
Optimal Humidity Conditions for Exterior Painting
For the best finish, you want to see humidity levels between 40-50%. When humidity levels are above that or below it, you will not get the finish that you are looking for. If you are unsure how to proceed with your exterior painting project, you can rely on the knowledge and training that the painting pros at L.W. Winslow Painting, Inc. have. We have the experience needed to ensure you have the perfect conditions and the perfect finish when painting outside your home. Call on us to paint the outside of your home today!