Paint and Temperature

I've got some painting to do before I fit some new springs. I'm working in a garage with a lift up and over door. The minimum recommended temperatures on my aerosol and tinned paints are both far higher than what it is going to be outside for a while.

If I warm the paint tin in some warm water before application will that make it possible to get on? Or is it the air temp that matters for curing? How bad can it be if it's "too cold"?

I have done some aerosol spraying lately and work on the basis that as long as it is over 0C then I just get on with it. Otherwise nothing would get done between October and May! I tend to spray around 11am once the morning chill has passed, and thereby get the warmest part of the day to start the curing process. No noticeable issues....yet!

Worth a read:
https://airbrushdoc.com/discussion/paint-defects/

You will find that as the temperature drops towards the end of the day that condensation will form on the metal.
Potentially the same issue when spraying onto a cold surface as the flashing off of the solvent will cause a drop in temperature.
You would be best either waiting for warmer conditions or bringing the temperature of the environment above the minimum recommended by the paint manufacturer.
Sunny day with the item being painted outside in the sun should work - need to be careful that the temp of the part doesn't get too high or you'll get a lot of orange peel.

The problem with painting in cold temperatures is moisture in the air will condense on cold surfaces. This can lead to lack of adhesion, and on bare steel, corrosion. Better to find a way of warming the area you are going to paint. Don't need to warm the paint unless it makes it easier to apply, it will dry eventually - just takes a bit longer.

A friend of mine that sprays their bikes with "rattle-cans" uses the tub of hot-water approach to raise the temp of the spray paint to good effect.

Leave it until it’s warm otherwise it won’t harden off proper and you will be doing it again

The kitchen table overnight might also be an answer!

When you've finished painting, close the door(s) on the garage and put a heater on, that should do the trick.

Possible problem is bloom or blooming, caused by low temps and damp air.
This is basically trapped moisture within the paint coat. Avoid if possible.


You should be fine if you can warm the steel a little, and also the can, but don't use anything other than tepid water to take the chill off the can.

Lots of good advice, as usual. Thanks all. I did try warming some paint yesterday. It started going on ok by brush to begin with but soon started to stiffen and become quite unworkable, so I stopped. This was on the axle.

I'm going to risk two coats with an aerosol just around the spring hangers and areas that will be very difficult to reach once the rear axle and new springs are on. Then I'll return and finish the painting in warmer weather - even upper single digits with no wind I think would be a lot better.

Beneagles said:

The kitchen table overnight might also be an answer!

Click to expand...

What? The rear axle? I'm in enough trouble for putting parts through the dishwasher. ("What are you doing in there?", "Just loading the dishwasher, dear!!!")

Currently painting bits of the chassis thats exposed now the engine's out and I live in the north of scotland. As long as its not raining and is above freezing you'll be fine

I risked spraying my springs yesterday as it was a bright day with no wind at all. Only about 3-4oC but it seemed to go ok. I dared try as GB Springs paint them blue at their factory anyway and so I was only aiming to make them black as opposed to add protection to bare metal. Was glad to get something done. I want this rear end back together..