When Is the Best Time to Paint During a Heatwave?
In a heatwave, timing matters more than technique. Here are the hours that work, the ones that cause problems, and how to plan the job around the sun.
Early Morning and Late Afternoon
In a heatwave the usable painting hours are the cooler ends of the day. Early morning — once any dew has dried — and late afternoon, as surfaces come out of direct sun, give the most workable conditions.
The middle of the day, roughly eleven to four, is the worst possible window for exterior work and uncomfortable for interiors in sun-facing rooms.
Interior painting in shaded rooms can continue through the day, provided blinds are drawn and fans aren't blowing directly across fresh paint.
Too Early and Too Late Cause Their Own Problems
Starting outside before dew has burned off traps moisture under the coating, which shows as bloom or poor adhesion.
Finishing too late is equally risky. Paint still curing when evening dew forms can end up patchy, streaked or dull in places.
As a rule, stop exterior work with a couple of hours of warm daylight left so the film has time to set properly.
Sequence Rooms and Elevations Around the Sun
Sequence the work by aspect rather than by convenience: cool elevations first, sun-facing ones once they are in shade.
Indoors, work through the rooms the sun has left, keeping curtains and blinds closed ahead of yourself to keep surface temperatures down.
Keep paint, tools and open tins out of the sun and heat. Paint that has been sitting in a hot van behaves nothing like paint stored in the shade.
Need Your Empty Property Painted?
Empty Home Painters specialises in painting vacant properties across London.
Get a Fast Quote