Home improvement projects can be time-consuming, even the simpler ones like painting, which is why nobody wants to delay them. However, multiple factors affect the finished product, such as the weather, and with painting, several conditions make it challenging to obtain good results, like rain.
Those who don’t have enough time or money, live in a place with constant precipitation, or simply don’t want to wait any longer to accomplish their painting project may wonder, “Can you paint when it’s raining?”
If you are one of them and have found this blog searching for answers, you will receive an expert’s take on painting in rainy weather, along with some helpful tips. Let’s dive into it!
Choosing Your Painting Project For Rainy Weather
There are many types of painting projects you can do, granting more options for painting in rainy weather. It all boils down to knowing which one you can accomplish in the discussed conditions.
Exterior Painting
Exterior painting projects can take a lot of work to complete when pouring or slightly drizzling. Some people say it is possible if the water doesn’t come in contact with the surface, but that is a far-fetched statement considering that wind can carry the water in all directions. Your exterior surfaces are prone to get wet. Humidity is also harder to control in an outer environment and can affect curating as well.Interior Painting
Interior painting in rainy weather is more doable as you can have better control over the conditions, but you will have to plan and prepare ahead to achieve it. Here’s what to have in mind:
Temperature
While you can technically paint at any temperature indoors, if the surface is too cold, there’s a chance that the paint won’t adhere well. If it gets too chilly, you want to skip your project for when it’s a bit warmer. In fact, you should always opt for the best conditions to paint.
Aeration
Keeping your space well-ventilated for painting in rainy weather is crucial. Not only does this help the paint dry faster, but it also prevents you from inhaling harmful odors from the paint. For your safety, make sure you can properly aerate your space before starting your project.
Humidity
Interior painting projects have the advantage of not being exposed to the elements. However, the biggest problem with rainy or cold weather is humidity, as it affects curating time. Therefore, the question would be, “Can you paint in cold weather?”
In a previous blog, we discussed that it is possible to paint within a specific humidity range during the winter. We also mentioned staying away from oil-based paints due to flammability hazards.
When painting in rainy weather, you must account for humidity levels. The ideal range is between 40 to 50%. Anything above 80% is too damp to paint. You might want to wait if that’s the case. You can also use oil-based paints, since you won’t need to have your heater on (which you shouldn’t start during your project).
Curating Time
Naturally, when there’s moisture in the air, it will take longer for your paint to dry, even longer than stated in the product’s description. The only thing you have to do when painting in rainy weather is patient and wait a few hours more than you would to ensure the paint is completely dry. Trust us. It will be worth not waiting for a whole season to paint!
Pro Tip: To speed up the drying process, turn on your air conditioner or a dehumidifier before painting and when the paint is curating. Some recommend turning on the heater but don’t do it when using oil-based paints.
Paint With The Professionals!
In conclusion, can you paint in rainy weather? The answer is yes if you follow the previous recommendations to obtain the best results. As expert painters at A&M Quality Painting LLC, we follow these measures and professional techniques to achieve superior painting projects. If you require our help or need more information, contact us today!