If you are an experienced welder or metalworker, you might know that temperature and moisture can have an impact on the way metal paint dries. If the metal, especially an external metal, is coated in frost or rain, the paint will either not adhere properly or it will dry with imperfections in the texture. How can you avoid this in colder months and in cold climates? Let’s dive into the requirements that metal painting demands and how to paint metal properly.
Typically, painting metal will have the best outcome when done in warmer climates or indoors. This is because any type of moisture such as rain, dew, or frost can damage the longevity of the paint or it can cause surface issues such as cracking and denting. This is because metal paint cures within a specific temperature range. If the metal is curing in cold weather, it will take longer to dry which will cause the paint to lose its protective properties. If the metal is curing with water trapped under the surface, the metal can rust or create mildew.
So how do you paint metal in cold weather? Is it possible? While we always recommend postponing external metal painting to warmer months, there are ways to do it in the winter that will have minimal damages. Follow these steps to ensure your metal painting doesn’t fail or rust in the winter.
Before you start painting, be sure to check what the temperature range is needed to cure the paint. If it is too cold, you must postpone your project or use a curing agent that is designed to work in low temperatures. Next, make sure that all water is removed from the surface of your metal. This includes drying moisture from rain and scraping off any frost.
After mixing your paint and your cold-curing agent, make sure you leave enough time for induction. This is when the paint and curing agent mixture sits after being mixed to allow the chemicals to process fully, resulting in an efficient hardening process after coating the metal.
If at all possible, you might want to consider heating the metal before applying the paint. You can do this by using supplemental heat and shielding your project from cold air with a tarp. If you are accepting longer curing times because of cold weather, be sure to keep the metal protected from anything that will dent the paint while it is still wet.
To conclude, painting metal always works best in warmer temperatures. In colder months, try to focus on indoor metal painting and leave the external metal for when it gets warmer. If that is not possible, try the tactics we have discussed such as cold-curing agents, removing moisture from the metal, or warming up your space as much as possible to avoid imperfections in the paint.
