Water based paint outside in the cold

[Restoration man]

Am I risking problems based on the temperatures? What could happen worst case?

I've been painting the outside of my house for about 4 months. Been slow because I'm doing it myself including repairs as I go and building and rebuilding scaffolding for awkward bits. I've saved the south gable till last from a weather point of view but we're in winter up here now.

I'm using dulux trade smooth masonry white. Two coats. Paint details recommend 7 degrees minimum outside temp for application.

At the moment we've been just short of that in the day about 5 to 6 degrees but I have the sun as well recently but at nights temps are dropping to 1 or 2 degrees below zero.

The walls are very dry and are harled and I really wanted to finish this job off asap.

Am I risking problems based on the temperatures? What could happen worst case?

Thanks

 

[Bosswhite]

You will find that the air temperature will read one figure, but because the sun is shining directly on the wall that will read a higher temperature, which should help with drying, if its dry, not misty or foggy then go for it and finish the job off, otherwise leave it until next year.

 

[opps]

A few years ago I was busy and left an employee on site. I stressed the importance of not applying Dulux Weathershield Masonry when the temperature was less than 5 degrees.

He ignored me. The paint took days to dry (in part because of the night time dew). It eventually flaked off.

As Bosswhite suggests, you might be OK if the sunlight helps it. Waterbased paints however "shrink" under ideal circumstances as they cure to allow the molecules to bond. Adverse temperatures and excessive moisture may prevent the process from taking place.

If you are worried about it failing but want to get the job out of the way, you could use the Dulux Trade Weathershield All Seasons masonry paint which is oil based and slightly more expensive. It is rated at 15 years and showerproof in 15 mins.

Other than paints though, don't forget that your fillers and mastics/caulks might take umbrage with the cold.