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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: JJSZABO on October 29, 2007, 07:47:01 pm

Title: Cold Weather Painting
Post by: JJSZABO on October 29, 2007, 07:47:01 pm

I have a question regarding painting in colder weather.  I live in Northwestern MD and it is starting to get colder.  Highs in the 60's and lows in the lower 30's.  My question is what is the coldest I can paint in without providing heat?

I built a small homemade paint booth in my detached garage that I can paint in.  I have forced positive pressure from top of the booth and exhaust from the bottom of the garage door through filters.  I can heat the garage with my in-wall electric heater but would not run it while spraying.

Here is what I would like to do - I can move the part to be painted into my shop and let it come up to room temperature (roughly 65 to 70 degrees).  Then I would turn off the heater - spray my epoxy, let the booth clear the air and then I can turn the heater back on to maintain the temperature.  I can do this throughout the painting steps.  Does this sound doable?

I've never painted in cold weather before and any and all advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff

Title: Re: Cold Weather Painting
Post by: ccz145a on October 30, 2007, 12:18:09 am

I know there are some painters that frequent this forum, but www.autobody101.com has a lot of helpful people and information.

Good luck and post pics.

Title: Re: Cold Weather Painting
Post by: Blazin on October 31, 2007, 05:08:33 am

Why can't you run the electric heater when you are spraying? Electric heater is allot safer than a furnace with a flame or a wood stove. ( I have painted with a wood stove many times. ) When painting in lower temps use the low temp reducers will help out, extend your flash time by double or triple.

Title: Re: Cold Weather Painting
Post by: JJSZABO on October 31, 2007, 07:31:29 am

Blazin - hoping you would pipe in :)

I suppose I could use it - Just getting paranoid about blowing myself up.  The heater is outside my plastic booth so........ Just trying to be "safe".

WOW - spraying with a woodstove going - WOW :o

Will take the advice on flash times.

Thanks!!!!

Title: Re: Cold Weather Painting
Post by: Blazin on October 31, 2007, 08:48:16 pm

Never had an issue with a wood stove. I don't open one while the place is full of fumes either though.
 As far as flashtimes go even at the correct temp. I usually give them 5 to 10 more mins than recommended.

Title: Re: Cold Weather Painting
Post by: zieg85 on October 31, 2007, 10:18:45 pm

Paint 101, my $.02 is as follows.  True Epoxy 2 part paints stop curing around 50 degrees unless they are built specially for lower temps.  Dew points where frost happens is your limiting factor on the cold. Yes faster solvents are needed when it is cold out.  Some paints cure by oxidation as in enamels, where some crosslink as epoxy and urethanes that are true 2 part. There are Acrylic enamels that are a combination depending on their individual chemical makeup.  It is very easy to run the paint when cold because most automotive paints are designed for ideal conditions.  I have been in the paint industry for almost 23 years dealing with these problems day in day out in the OEM industrial side. 

Title: Re: Cold Weather Painting
Post by: Blazin on November 01, 2007, 06:25:24 am

Agreed but not to many people paint at 50 degrees. I figured it went without saying. This time of year keeping a shop above 60 isn't to difficult.