The do’s and don’ts when painting in hot weather
Indeed, you can actually paint in hot summer weather, however, there are a number of things to bear in mind. In this blog post, we discuss what you can and can't do when painting in warm weather and tell you what are the ideal weather conditions for painting.
The perfect temperature and humidity
First, let's take a look at what we mean by "hot" weather for painting. Generally, the ideal temperature for painting is between 10°C and 25°C. At those temperatures, the paint will dry evenly and adhere to the surface properly.
If the temperature is too low, the paint may not dry at all, and if it is too high, the paint may dry too quickly. That can lead to cracking, peeling, and flaking over time. The heat can also make the paint thicker, making it more difficult to apply and possibly causing worse adhesion and less even coverage.
In addition to temperature, it is also important to consider humidity. The ideal humidity range for painting is between 40% and 70%.
Too much humidity can cause the paint to take longer to dry, which can lead to problems such as mold or bubbling. Or, even worse, the paint may simply not dry at all, making the paint layer sticky and prone to dirt build-up.
If you plan to paint outside, try to pick a time when the above weather conditions are predicted. On hot summer days, the morning can often still have the ideal conditions in store! The early bird catches the worm (and the best painting results) 😉
5 painting tips for hot weather
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We already gave you a first tip for when you do want to paint in summer weather: schedule your painting job early in the morning or perhaps late in the evening, when it's a little cooler.
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If you do have to paint during a warmer part of the day, find a shady place to work or set up a tent to provide some shade. After all, you really do want to avoid direct sunlight. It can cause the paint to dry too quickly, resulting in uneven drying and poor adhesion.
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If necessary, work with a drying retarder. Be sure to respect the recommended dosage so as not to compromise the composition and properties of the paint. The correct mixing ratio can usually be found on the packaging or in the technical data sheet. You can of course always ask our experts for advice if you are not entirely sure.
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Of course, it also helps to strategically choose your paint. For example: if you want to paint indoors, Sigma Perfect Matt is your best friend. First of all, it dries very evenly, without any visible deposits. And... should you still see spots afterwards that are not entirely to your liking, you can touch them up with this wall paint in no time. Furthermore, there are also paints that can handle a slightly higher application temperature. An example is the exterior lacquer Sikkens Rubbol DSA. It can be used at temperatures of up to 30°C.
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Good things come to those who wait. Sometimes, it's better to divide the work over several days to give yourself a little more time. Just don't try to rush things because it's hot, or because you want to finish before a certain (hotter) time of day. Take enough time to apply the paint the way it should be applied, because that's the only way to get a beautiful and lasting result.
In a nutshell
✅ Do |
❌ Don't |
| Paint when it's cool(er) | Don't paint at the hottest time of day |
| Seek shade | Don't paint in direct sunlight |
| Use a drying retarder if necessary | Don't overuse it, though |
| Choose your paint strategically | Don't use paint that is thickened by the heat |
| Take your time, optionally spread the work | Don't rush things |
Painting in hot weather can be a challenge, but it is possible if you keep in mind the ideal temperature and humidity. For instance, it's better to paint during the cooler parts of the day and seek shade to prevent the paint from drying too quickly. Work with a drying retarder if necessary and choose your paint strategically. Take your time applying the paint and spread the work over several days if needed. With these tips, you can enjoy beautiful and durable painting results even in the summer.
Questions? Feel free to get in touch with our experts if you're looking for some extra advice. Also, we'd love to see the result of your paint work. Share it with us by mail or on social media with #Tintrio.
