How cold is too cold to paint outside Sherwin-Williams?
QuestionQ: What is the optimal temperature to paint outside? A:Answer Until a few years ago you needed to paint above 50° F. Sherwin-Williams now has products like Duration, Resilience, SuperPaint and A-100 Exterior that will allow you to paint down to 35° F.
All your other favorite Sherwin-Williams exterior paints are also formulated for low temperature application down to 35° F, including Emerald®, Duration®, SuperPaint®, and A-100®.
For the best results, we recommend not painting if the temp drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold weather can also compromise the overall life expectancy of your paint. Oil-based paints thicken in cold weather, causing your paintbrush to stiffen. This leads to thicker paint application and less coverage per gallon.
Timing is Everything
An overall general rule of thumb is that oil-based paint can be applied when the temperatures are between 40°- 90° F and latex paint is best applied between 50°- 85° F. However, latex paints are best for most exteriors (we recommend 100% acrylic).
“It should be at least 50° F when you're applying the paint and shouldn't drop below 32° F at night for several days after,” says Rico de Paz, who oversees Consumer Reports' paint tests. Even if it's warm during the day, the paint won't form a good film if temperatures drop too low at night.
#2 Know the Chance of Rain
For example, Sherwin Williams paint needs four hours of dry time before it can be exposed to moisture. However, we highly suggest avoiding painting if there is precipitation in the forecast during the next 24 hours.
So what temperature is too cold to paint? Well, the best temperature for most paints is above 50ºF. However, most exterior paints can be applied as low as 40ºF; other colder weather paints can be applied as low as 35ºF and high performance epoxy/urethane coatings can be applied as low as 20ºF.
Exterior latex paints should not be applied at surface and air temperatures below 50°F. Exterior paint should only be applied when the temperature will not drop below the recommended level of 50°F for at least 8 hours following application.
The exterior painting product we use most often is Sherwin Williams SuperPaint. In this product, yes, 2 coats are going to be more durable and last longer than 1 coat. Building up the thickness of the applied paint helps resist breakdown of the paint material and fading.
Cold weather slows the drying time of both alkyd/oil- and water-based paints. This means that recoat times are also extended. For example, at an ideal temperature of 75 degrees, you can usually recoat after four hours. But when the temperature is about 50 degrees, the recoat time may be extended to six hours.
At what temperature should you stop painting outside?
To play it safe don't paint outside when it's below 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Oftentimes, paint manufacturers will suggest a low-temperature paint additive to normalize the product. This results in better adhesion and resistance to staining or cracking in cold weather.
Most paint brands have labels that warn users not to paint in temperatures below 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Thanks to modern advancements in paint materials, most paint manufacturers now offer acrylic latex paints that can be applied to the exterior of your home in temperatures as low as the threshold of 35 degrees.

Freezing does ruin latex paint, but it can survive a few freeze/thaw cycles. Allow the paint to slowly warm up to room temperature, then stir it well. If the paint color and consistency appear normal, then it should be all right to use.
You CAN Paint Your Exterior in the Winter
Since overnight temperatures can often chill exterior walls even if the ambient temperature is over 35 degrees, we often start painting in the late morning after the sun has warmed up the surface of the home and stop painting around mid-day to give the paint time to cure.
Freezing temperatures can do permanent damage to the emulsion in paint, causing the paint to become a strange consistency. Paint that has frozen and thawed may become ropey, stringy or clumpy. It may be the consistency of cottage cheese or gritty, like sandy water.
Best Recommended Paints for Cold Weather
Most paints on the market mention they have a curing temperature of around 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but the most reliable is Resilience Exterior Acrylic Latex by Sherwin Williams.
Sherman Williams offers several paint product series which are designed for use in low temperatures, including SuperPaint, Duration, A-100 Exterior, and Resilience. Benjamin Moore offers MoorLife, Super Spec, and MoorGuard, with a recommendation that the paints be used in weather no colder than 40 degrees.
What happens if you apply a second coat of paint too soon? Applying the second coat of paint before letting it dry will result in peeling, clumping, and bubbling that can be time-consuming and expensive to repair. It can also result in an uneven colour, ruining its appearance.
On repaint work, apply one coat of Duration coat- ing; on bare surfaces, apply two coats of Dura- tion, allowing 4 hours drying between coats.
Adding a Second Coat
After your first coat of paint is dry, it's safe to recoat typically after four to six hours. A good rule of thumb is to wait at least three hours to recoat your paint or primer if it's water-based. Waiting 24 hours is best for oil-based paint and primer.
How long does Sherwin-Williams take to dry?
A:Answer Latex paint dries to the touch in one hour and cleans up with water. Alkyd paint dries to touch overnight and cleans up with solvent.
Although exterior paint dries in a few hours, it can take up to 30 days to fully cure. That's why it's important to consider the weather when painting a home.
Most traditional latex-based paints won't cure at temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 degrees Celsius). If you paint in colder weather, the paint may change colors, "blush or "bloom" (appear milky, blotchy or cloudy), lose its glossiness in some areas, run or drip.
When planning out the best time to paint your home's exterior, you should be conscious of upcoming rainy days. For best results, you should have 5 consecutive, dry, sunny days to allow your paint to fully dry. You need 6 to 24 hours, depending on your paint.
Even if you can get away with one coat, two coats are better if you can afford it. Two coats of exterior paint will retain the color and sheen far better and longer, protecting your home more thoroughly and extending the time before the next repainting.
Sherwin Williams has a minimum 4 mil wet standard. One coat of paint using a sprayer can achieve over the 4 mil thickness and provide the most uniform paint job, while a roller brush often requires two coats to achieve the 4 mil standard and takes more time and labor cost.
Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior. The ultimate in durability with one coat on repaints and two coats on new work.
Fans are great too. They don't produce any heat, but they do the important thing which is to keep the air flowing. Opening a window will also help, again, it just gives the water vapor somewhere to escape. Better still, open windows on both sides of a room.
Because the paint needs time to cure, expected nighttime temperatures are as important as daytime temperatures. Most paints need at least 24 hours to properly cure. When temperatures drop below the ideal at night, even if daytime temperatures were perfect for painting, this can affect the drying process.
Most premium quality interior latex paint will withstand a temperature up to 180° F, so you can use the same paint that you used on the walls or trim.
Can I paint in the winter?
Because there is less humidity, your paint will dry noticeably faster and better in the colder months, winter is the best time for painting the exterior or the home's interior. Don't wait for the hot temperature, high humidity months.
Paint Drying Times and Factors
Oil-based paint - dry to the touch in 6–8 hours and ready to recoat in 24 hours. Latex paint - dry to the touch in about 1 hour, and you can safely recoat in 4 hours.
Early summer and early fall usually offer up the best weather conditions, with minimal rain and minimal fluctuations in temperature from day to night. This will ensure the paint goes on smoothly and has the chance to dry and cure properly.
The rule of thumb is that if you are painting with an oil-based paint, the ambient temperature should be above 45°F for at least 48 hours. Latex and acrylic paints typically require higher temperatures above 50°F. Some paints, however, are formulated to dry at lower temperatures, even as low as 35°F.
Once the paint has thawed completely, mix thoroughly to ensure a consistent consistency. As long as the paint is not clumpy and doesn't have a foul odor, it is usable.
Latex or Acrylic-Latex Paint
PPG and Glidden both suggest their latex paint, unopened should last two years. Sherwin-Williams and Behr each say a year. Most experts, outside of the manufacturers say well-preserved paint can be shelf-stable for up to 10 years.
In particular, an unopened can of latex or acrylic paint lasts up to 10 years. For unopened paints that are oil-based or alkyd-based, the shelf life could be up to 15 years. Additionally, chalk paint has a shorter lifespan from 1-3 years, and milk paint only lasts 1-2 weeks after its mixed.
October has many warm dry sunny days and although it does record the highest( not by much) average monthly rainfall, the rain is usually followed by windy autumn weather to dry things out quickly. It is therefore alright to paint outside in October.
The key for cold-weather painting is to pick a paint designed for 35-degree weather that is water-resistant. The formula lets the paint cure on time and wicks moisture away from your home. These paints have twice the moisture resistance as standard latex coatings.
For example, painting at temperatures below 50°F can lead to surfaces drying improperly, sometimes with a cracking paint film. Cosmetically, painting in cold temperatures can also create issues with color uniformity and make touch-ups look far too obvious.
What happens if you paint when it's too cold?
For example, painting at temperatures below 50°F can lead to surfaces drying improperly, sometimes with a cracking paint film. Cosmetically, painting in cold temperatures can also create issues with color uniformity and make touch-ups look far too obvious.
So what temperature is too cold to paint? Well, the best temperature for most paints is above 50ºF. However, most exterior paints can be applied as low as 40ºF; other colder weather paints can be applied as low as 35ºF and high performance epoxy/urethane coatings can be applied as low as 20ºF.
Sherman Williams offers several paint product series which are designed for use in low temperatures, including SuperPaint, Duration, A-100 Exterior, and Resilience. Benjamin Moore offers MoorLife, Super Spec, and MoorGuard, with a recommendation that the paints be used in weather no colder than 40 degrees.
You CAN Paint Your Exterior in the Winter
Since overnight temperatures can often chill exterior walls even if the ambient temperature is over 35 degrees, we often start painting in the late morning after the sun has warmed up the surface of the home and stop painting around mid-day to give the paint time to cure.
Most paint brands have labels that warn users not to paint in temperatures below 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Thanks to modern advancements in paint materials, most paint manufacturers now offer acrylic latex paints that can be applied to the exterior of your home in temperatures as low as the threshold of 35 degrees.
A lot of painters will turn down external projects in Winter, but some are happy to carry out painting and decorating with the right equipment. With access to high-quality gloss undercoat and premium masonry paint, most painters and decorators will be able to create a high-quality paintjob, even in Winter.
Depending on different ingredients, each type of paint may need to be stored at a slightly different temperature. Water-based paint can start to freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
How Long Does Exterior Paint Need to Dry Before Rain? When planning out the best time to paint your home's exterior, you should be conscious of upcoming rainy days. For best results, you should have 5 consecutive, dry, sunny days to allow your paint to fully dry. You need 6 to 24 hours, depending on your paint.
Most traditional latex-based paints won't cure at temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 degrees Celsius). If you paint in colder weather, the paint may change colors, "blush or "bloom" (appear milky, blotchy or cloudy), lose its glossiness in some areas, run or drip.
Latex paint is water-based, and therefore freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. While freezing often separates the paint, stirring the paint can recombine the resins and sometimes salvage the paint, however the paint is likely to be of poor quality.