How crucial is the temperature/humidity when spraying?

Akagi · 14 Mar 2015 at 18:58

Another day, another Acme thread, amirite?

Jokes aside, people have advised me to wait until the weather is warmer before I spray a part of my car, whereas others have said that it won't make much difference and if I am desperate to do it, I may as well do it now, because the finish won't be perfect anyway.

Thoughts?

JamesM · 14 Mar 2015 at 19:02

I've sprayed stuff in the cold and warm weather and tbh it is a lot easier when it's warmer.

Last time I sprayed some alloys I did it inside during winter. Whacked the heating on, opened the windows slightly and covered everything in the kitchen.

Mrs wasn't too happy but it worked fine.

Rybo89 · 14 Mar 2015 at 20:04

You sprayed your wheels in the kitchen? lol

I thought i was daft doing it in the conservatory.

Lashout_UK · 14 Mar 2015 at 20:07

I sprayed one of my cars when it was -12 degrees C, haha. Surprisingly the paint stuck - and stayed on!

I'd recommend doing it in a relatively warm, clean - preferably closed - area, if you can. Give the car some time to warm up and dry out as well, don't just spray straight onto an ice-cold panel.

MrKnifey · 14 Mar 2015 at 20:07

Problem with this weather is the air is quite damp. Spray in the damp and be prepared for an awful paint job. My car has been ready for paint since September last year, but being as I dont have an oven im going to wait for better weather!

Xez · 15 Mar 2015 at 00:07

What part is it and I presume you are going to rattle can it? So long as the part is warm along with the paint and in cold weather I use to submerge part of the can in warm water. It makes it much easier to apply when warm.

ShakenNstirred · 15 Mar 2015 at 03:05

if the temp is to low you can get fogging on the paint.
I warm the can up with some warm water and warm the item im spraying

Dogbreath · 15 Mar 2015 at 09:49

If you are using cellulose based paint then cold and humidity will cause "blooming".

Akagi · 15 Mar 2015 at 17:41

Using rattle cans yes, I'm not sure if it is cellulose based or how I would tell?

I would just be spraying the corner of my bonnet and touching up my bumper. Possibly spraying a wing but hopefully not.

leigh_boy · 15 Mar 2015 at 20:05

it will be acrylic from a can.

Akagi · 15 Mar 2015 at 20:25

If its rubbish can I sand and try again or is it not that simple?

Banny · 15 Mar 2015 at 21:14

About 20 degrees is ideal for spraying.
With cans it's not so bad, but when using water based and clear coat the clear coat is not not great in cold temps, orange peel effect springs to mind

InvaderGIR · 15 Mar 2015 at 21:40

Acme said:
If its rubbish can I sand and try again or is it not that simple?

It is that simple, provided the paint has dried and gone off you can indeed just sand it down and try again (you want a fine paper if you do that).

As others have said, ideally warm and dry indoors, failing that, dry and indoors, failing that, don't.