Can I Still Paint Inside When It’s Cold and Rainy Outside? What are the Best Hints and Tips?
Top 5 hints & tips for painting indoors when it’s rainy outside
1. Keep your eye on the temperature of the room
Typically, the minimum temperature required to paint is 10 degrees Celsius – but make sure you check your paint tin before you start painting as sometimes this temperature can vary based on the brand and type of paint you are using. You can turn a heater on to let the room warm up a bit before you start your paint project, which will also help to decrease the drying time.
2. Keep your eye on the temperature of the surface
Keep in mind that the surface temperature of the substrate you are painting is going to be colder than room temperature; and different surfaces are going to be different temperatures… tiles, gyprock, wood, brick, weatherboard, etc. So while you have the heater warming up the room, remember that the room temperature will need to be higher so that the surface temperature is still above that minimum temperature of 10 degrees Celsius (or the temperature listed on your paint can). Remember there are different types out there, and your ceiling paint may need more or less time than trim paint or the one you’ll be using for kitchen or living room walls.
3. Allow for extended drying times and ensure plenty of air circulation
Patience is key when completing your indoor projects in cold and rainy temperatures. The paint is going to dry much slower, so expect extended drying times. This may also mean a longer recoat process. You can accelerate the drying time by opening doors and windows to increase the air flow and ventilation in the room you are painting. If it’s too cold or wet to open windows, or you are painting in an open planned room, you can also use fans and blow heaters to get the air circulating.
4. Plan your paint project
While the low temperatures and extended drying times that these cold and rainy days give us make it harder to paint, it doesn’t make it impossible! Don’t start your project too early in the morning or work too late into the afternoon to ensure you are painting in the optimum conditions for this weather. Remember there is less daylight during the day in the colder months, so expect that your project will take longer to complete – not just because of the slower drying process, but also because you will need to restrict the amount of painting you will get done in a day.
5. Keep an eye out for mould
The rainy weather and duller days outside might cause some mould on the area that you are wanting to paint. Don’t stress – discovering some mould might increase your project time, but it’s easy to get rid of! Removal and treatment of the mould, and the ideal products to use, will vary slightly depending on the surface type and the room the mould is in.Click here for more information about how to prevent mould and how to remove mould. As always, our in-store experts are always on hand to point you in the right direction.
For some further tips on colour selection, surface preparation and paint application for your next project, make sure have a chat to the experts at your local Inspirations Paint store before you start your next project!