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How Humidity and Temperature Affect Paint

March 07, 2017
How Humidity and Temperature Affect Paint

Temperature:

Texas normally stays pretty hot and humid; however, sometimes Texas can get bitterly cold. In those cases where the temperature reaches below 45°F, paint has a very hard time drying due to moisture in the paint crystallizing. On the opposite spectrum, heat can cause the surface of the paint to skin over before the lower layers have time to dry. This results in bumps, blisters, and other imperfections. For best results, it’s best that the temperature be above 45°F for at least 48 hours.

Humidity:

When humidity levels are high, a brown or white discoloration on the surface of the paint may occur. This is called surfactant leaching. This basically means that the humidity in the air is introducing more moisture or water into the incompletely dried paint film. The more moisture in the air, the longer it takes for the moisture in latex or acrylic paint to evaporate. To avoid this, make sure to check humidity levels before painting.