Exterior painting in hot weather requires special preparation and a thorough understanding of how factors like humidity levels, surface temperature, and direct sunlight exposure affect paint.

Our expert paint contractors in Fort Bend County at Ric’s Professional Painting can help you make the right decision and take the right steps when painting in hot weather. Here are three important things to consider when painting in hot weather:

Surface Exposure to Direct Sunlight

When the sun is beating down on a surface, the temperature of that surface can rise significantly, as much as 20 degrees Fahrenheit higher than the actual temperature. Fresh paint applied to a surface that is too hot can bubble up or peel once it dries. To avoid this, it's important to touch the surface you plan to paint before you begin. If it feels hot to the touch, it's best to wait for the surface temperature to drop before you start painting.

To avoid direct sunlight while painting, you can start as early as possible before the heat of the day sets in, inspect the job site to gauge the shadiest times of the day, work with the movement of the sun as it tracks from east to west, and wait to paint surfaces until they have cooled from direct sunlight exposure.

High Heat in the Shade

Even if a surface is in the shade, high temperatures can still affect your painting project. Painting in hot weather speeds up paint drying times, which can cause problems when fresh paint overlaps rapidly-dried paint. To avoid these issues, give yourself more time between painting sections to allow the paint to fully dry. Signs that your paint job needed more time to dry include a peeling first coat during a second application, cracked or chipping paint, speckling, bubbling, or an uneven finish.

The Paint Must Stay Cool

Painting in hot weather can cause paint to overheat, which can lead to the paint gumming up and not properly fusing to the surface. To keep your paint cool, you can place two or three ice cubes in paint cups, pans, or buckets, then place a liner over the ice before pouring in the paint. Other tips to keep your paint from overheating include not setting paint cans, buckets, or pans in direct sunlight, not resting your paint bucket on hot surfaces like asphalt, concrete, or metal, and keeping paint covered to prevent evaporation or too much humidity.

While these tips can help homeowners tackle painting projects in hot weather, it's important to remember that professionals know the right techniques for painting in these conditions. If you want to ensure a quality paint job during the summer months, it's best to trust the experienced paint contractors in Fort Bend Countyfrom a reputable company like Ric’s Professional Painting to get things done right.

In conclusion, painting your home's exterior during the summer months can be a daunting task, but with proper preparation and an understanding of how hot weather affects paint, you can achieve great results. Remember to avoid direct sunlight, give your paint time to dry, and keep your paint cool to ensure a successful project. And if you're unsure about tackling the job yourself, don't hesitate to reach out to professionals who can ensure a high-quality, long-lasting paint job.