We’re getting our house deleaded in December. It was the soonest we could do it and we couldn’t wait. While the lead abatement crew is out here I’m having them strip some exterior lead paint down to bare wood.
What are my options for getting paint on. I’m in eastern Massachusetts, so it’ll be in between 0-40 degrees by the time they are done.
Can I paint with a low temp paint (SW Resilience?)
Could I just put on an oil primer and leave it until spring for the paint?
Can the bare wood go until spring?
Is there a wood preservative that can get me through the winter?
I’d like not to do much sanding in the spring since there will still be some lead paint here and there. They are stripping the mouth-able surfaces – not everything.
What’s the best approach here?
Thanks
Replies
I'm not a pro painter but this is a question I'd want some local knowledge about, in addition to anything I might get on a message board.
Temperature, humidity, type of wood, it's age, condition and orientation to the sun...all those factors contribute to local knowledge about what product to apply, best method to use, under what conditions.
I'd visit a real paint store and speak with it's manager. I did that a couple weeks ago and received a concise, helpful answer, based on many years experience.
Edited 11/25/2008 4:11 am by Hudson Valley Carpenter
Since they haven't started, HOLD OFF. Have them come back in May, I doubt they are booked out that far. NOTHING works properly in the COLD. Your job is like found money to these guys, you will incur alot of unnecessary expenses attempting this in the winter.
Most paints say not to use below about 50°, but when you specifically mentioned S-W Resilience, I went to their website to check it out. Even though it can be applied down to 35°. here's the part (directly from their data sheet) that's going to limit it's use in winter.
I think the 48 hour limitation is significant.
When the air temperature is at 35°F, substrates may be colder; prior to painting, check to be sure the air, surface, and material temperature are above 35°F and at least 5°F above the dew point. Avoid using if rain or snow is expected within 1-1½ hours. Do not apply at air or surface temperatures below 35°F or when air or surface temperatures may drop below 35°F within 48 hours.
Most paint, oil or latex, should not be applied below 50-55 degrees. This is because the chemical reactions needed to harden the paint will not occur fast enough below those temps to allow the paint to harden before the "vehicle" dries.
The low-temp paints have their compositions juggled to allow painting down to 35 or so.
Note that it's the surface temperature, more than the air temperature, that's important, though the stated temperature ranges are for "typical" surface temps at the stated air temps. Well-sheltered areas can go a little cooler, and areas exposed to a breeze need higher temps.
The bare wood will unfortunately weather over winter if you can't get it coated, and will probably need some sanding in the spring.
I would be wary of using a wood preservative -- most won't prevent weathering that well, and some will hinder adhesion when you do paint. If you use a primer, be sure to observe its temperature range.
Alright you guys have convinced me. I'm going to staple up plastic and cover it for the winter. It's in a somewhat sheltered area so that should be enough to keep it from weathering too much.I couldn't find a low temp primer either.
Any other advice to mitigate until sprint would be appreciated.