
Timing the drying of your exterior paint job is important, because if it doesn’t dry quickly enough or properly, the overall effect will be compromised. You could end up with paint that doesn’t adhere well to the underlying surface and peels easily. There are several factors that influence how quickly exterior paint dries, including these major ones:
Type of Paint
Most exterior paints dry within a few hours, as long as the manufacturers’ guidelines are followed. However, there is some variation across paint types. For example, latex and oil paints dry at different speeds. The quality of the paint can also influence the drying time. Your professional painters will evaluate the type of paint you’ve chosen and factor the quality into the predicted dry time.
Weather
Weather has a tremendous impact on how quickly paint dries. Excess humidity can slow down drying considerably, as can cold temperatures. That’s why it’s best to paint in dry conditions when the temperature is between 50 and 85 degrees. If you predict rain on the day of the job, you should reschedule the project to a later date or make sure the paint will be dry before the rain sets in.
Starting Conditions
In coastal towns or areas prone to fog, it’s important to hold off on painting until the morning dew and fog has lifted and the home has completely dried. If exterior painting begins when the home is still damp, not only will the job itself be compromised, but the dry time will be much longer. The paint may also bubble as it dries.
At Williams Professional Painting, we consider drying time for all of our painting jobs, and will make the right adjustments so that your paint dries quickly and perfectly every time. Trust us for all of your residential and commercial painting needs. Schedule an estimate and learn about our services by calling our Alexandria office at (703) 768-8143.