Conditions for Painting

So you are choosing to DIY your painting & decorating project! Make sure when you start you project you select good conditions for painting.

At Swoosh Decor we understand the immense sense of achievement when you finish a home improvement project yourself. But what if it goes wrong? Or you just don’t have the time to finish the job properly?

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Hiring professional painters & decorators like Swoosh Decor can save you time, hassle, mess and even money. See more reasons why you should hire a professional painters & decorators.

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Conditions for Painting

To ensure smooth running and best results for your painting & decorating project we recommend you give some consideration to the conditions in which you will be working.

Can I Paint in a Cold Room

Paint doesn’t handle extremes of temperature very well. If it is cold in the room, the paint will dry more slowly and if too cold may not dry properly at all. This can cause problems when you come to add subsequent coats as the original coat may come off easily when touched again with the brush or roller. Make sure each coat is completely dry before adding the next.

Typically a coat of wall or ceiling paint will need around 2 hours drying time before you can add another coat but in cold conditions this could be as long as 6-8 hours which is not a good idea.

We would recommend that you add a heat source to the cold room prior to and while you are working, or wait until conditions improve sufficiently. A working temperature of between 10-20ºC (50-70ºF) will ensure the best results.

Can I Paint When It is Hot

As, mentioned above. Paint does not handle extreme temperatures well. Painting hot surfaces can cause the paint to dry too quickly meaning it dries before you can spread it evenly. This will result in a poor surface finish.

In hot conditions the paint in your can or trough will start to evaporate more quickly. This will thicken the paint and make it harder to work with. Ensure that you thin the paint on a regular basis to keep it a good working consistency.

Hot temperatures are often associated with high humidity (moisture in the air) which will affect the drying time of the paint. Cooler, less humid temperatures are preferable.

Should I Use a Fan When Painting

A fan will help to introduce airflow to the room, which will help with drying times. If it is cold in the room, you will still need to introduce heat and in hot temperatures you will need to open a window to let out the drying moisture, to help reduce humidity (or preferably use a dehumidifier in a closed room).

Painting in Low Light Conditions

If you paint when light is fading you will find it much harder to see where you have already painted and whether you are getting good coverage. This is especially true when you are painting like for like (ie. white on white) or are putting on a second coat.

You may think that you have got a second coat of paint on, and are good to go. Only to come in the next morning and see that what you painted is patchy, meaning you have got to do another coat, wasting time and paint. This happens especially when you use a roller, because you find it difficult to see whether the roller strokes are even in poor light.

Painting in Bright Sunshine

Painting in bright sunshine can cause similar issues to painting in low light. This is especially true in Winter or at certain times of the day when the sun is lower in the sky and shines in bright patches. This means that different parts of the room receive more light than others. Also, the sun can shine straight into your eyes at times. All of which make it difficult to see if you are painting evenly.

We would recommend than you have a good even light to paint in. It will certainly help reduce your frustration levels th enext day when you realise you have got to do it all again.