[Pete's Painting]

I just moved back up to Mass after a few winters down south. I have a few ambitious customers that believe I will be able to stain their houses in April. I thought it might be wise to attemp these jobs 1st, no peeling paint etc. Interested in hearing other people's guidelines on when they start working outdoors.

 

[vermontpainter]

Pete

Here in Vermont, I like to see nighttime temps not dropping below freezing as a rule. Its also a good idea to make sure surface temps are not below 50. Thats one confusing issue with the new low temp paints. The paint may be engineered to perform at 32 but the surfaces are not exactly in the mood to receive them at that temp. I think, given the choice, I would sooner spend those questionable April days scraping and prepping a paint grade house.

 

[plainpainter]

Well I always start April 1. Only because by the time you have pressure washing, scraping, sanding out of the way - the weather will have turned nice. Just follow the advice on the can - if you are really worried, by latex paint or stain that is manufactured to go down to 35 degrees overnight temp, I know Pratt&lambert have these paints.

 

[NEPS.US]

I agree with V. You really need to pay attention to the temp at night. Just because the air temp is safe for a 4-5 hour stretch it still is not enough time. Where in Mass?

 

[Pete's Painting]

I am a little concerned since there was a prob with the last house I did in the fall. It was that time of year when the dew was really thick, wood was real damp in the morning. Anyway, some bubbles popped up on the shady side of the house on places where I had spot primed.
Isn't stain a better option than painting when the weather is cool and wood could be holding moisture?

By the way, I'm in on the N Shore in Mass.

 

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The other half of that is that a lot of the primer aren't set for low temp. I don't mind pushing some of them to 40 deg. At the same time no way on a barn red color. Over the years have had to many of them have there tint run in to every color of the rainbow.

 

[vermontpainter]

Latex paint and latex stain should be similar in their abilities to breath out moisture within reason.

The bigger issue is to just wait until conditions are right. An extra week or two in the field spreading paint is not worth the risk of becoming known as the painter who's coats fail. That is really bad marketing. And reworking it for free is a losing proposition. During times of question, do your washing, prepping, maybe some spot priming, caulking...save the coats until you are sure.

 

[Pete's Painting]

yeah, I hear ya. I think I just miss my golf clubs.