Many will be thinking of painting their fence this weekend as the the temperatures are set to soar but experts have warned that you may be making a big mistake
Paint experts have warned anyone planning to paint their fence during the warm weather(Image: Getty)
Temperatures are set to soar in some parts of Scotland during this week’s predicted sunny weather and many homeowners will be tempted to spend their time tackling some outdoor DIY jobs they’ve been putting off while the weather is good.
High on the list for many is likely to be painting the fence but while hot, sunny weather may seem like the perfect time to freshen up your garden, experts at Premium Paints have warned that extreme heat could actually ruin your paint finish.
According to paint specialists, Premium Paints, painting fences during very hot weather can cause paint to dry far too fast, resulting in streaks, patchy coverage, visible brush marks and even peeling further down the line. Surfaces exposed to direct sunlight can become particularly difficult to work with, especially during the hottest part of the day.
The experts advise the most ideal temperatures to paint your fence in are between 10 and 22C. Anything between 22C and 30C is not recommended but should dry okay with aftercare. However, painting in midday sun or direct sun should be postponed if possible.
Bill Jarvis, Co-Founder of Premium Paints, said: “People see sunshine and immediately think it’s the perfect time to paint the fence, but really hot weather can actually make the job much harder.
“If the fence is sitting in direct sun, the paint can dry far too quickly before it’s had time to settle properly. That’s when you start getting streaks, patchy areas and an uneven finish.”
He explained a lot of people end up painting during the hottest part of the day without realising the surface itself can become too hot to work with properly.
Bill added: “The paint might feel dry really quickly, which sounds ideal, but it doesn’t always mean it’s dried well.
“When the surface is too hot, the paint can struggle to go on evenly and that can affect how long the finish lasts. You’re usually much better off waiting until earlier in the morning or later in the evening when things have cooled down a bit.”
Bill says while you do not need to avoid painting altogether during warm weather, it is more about picking the right time to do it.
He advises: “A lot of people wait for the first really hot weekend to get these jobs done, but extreme heat can be just as awkward as rain sometimes.
“Warm and dry is great for painting, but blazing sunshine all day long is not always your friend.”
Here are some top tips from the experts if you plan on painting your fence this bank holiday weekend or during any upcoming hot weather:
- Avoid painting fences that are sitting in direct sunlight, as the paint can dry too quickly and leave streaks or patchy areas
- If the fence feels hot to touch, wait until later in the day before starting
- Paint in smaller sections so the finish stays even as the paint dries
- Try to avoid thick coats during very warm weather, as they are more likely to dry unevenly
- Early mornings and evenings are usually easier to work in during a heatwave