Here are some facts on cold weather and paint I received from the local paint store…
It is officially indoor painting season in Minnesota because the temperatures are too cold for outdoor projects. Paint application used to be cut off at temperatures of 50 degrees or above, but the new exterior acrylic paints are specially formulated down to 35 degrees.
If you are anxious to get outside in the spring you need to be aware of three different types of temperature. Ambient temperature pertains to the surrounding air. Surface temperature pertains to the substance being painted. Material temperature pertains to the paint product being applied. Applying paint that is too cold or in conditions (the ambient and surface temperatures) that are too cold can adversely affect performance, proper film formation, dry times and color.
It is also important to keep paint warm enough while being transported or stored. While most latex paints contain glycol to give them some measure of freeze/thaw stability, many of today’s low VOC or no VOC paints will not tolerate being stored or transported in freezing temperatures. Exposure to temperatures below freezing for even a few hours can cause issues rendering the paint unusable.
