Because of its water content, water-based paint freezes at 32 degrees, while oil-based paint is much more resistant to freezing. Water-based paint may start to freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. At exactly sub-zero temperatures, paint can start to freeze within an hour. As a general guideline, paints and solvents should not be stored at sub-zero temperatures.
Storing paint in a garage won't work well if you have a cold climate in your area. The point at which low temperatures will leave paint unusable varies depending on the type of paint you have. Water-based paints have the same freezing point as water (32 degrees Fahrenheit), while oil and acrylic paints can freeze at lower temperatures. First of all, you should consider not using latex paints.
The reason is how the latex form is filled. Latex paints contain water that freezes at temperatures below freezing (32°F). These types of paints have additives such as ethylene glycol, which is used to improve thaw resistance and help protect the latex mixture from being damaged by freezing. Latex paints, especially flat paints, must always be protected against freezing.
Outdoor alkyd and oil paints are based on alkyd resins and natural oils. These paints don't freeze or get damaged because they don't contain water. However, they can become thick, making them very difficult to apply if they are not constantly diluted. There are many products available for cold climates; it's important for your contractor to choose the right one.
Freezing will affect paint performance. The consistency, color and smell of the paint will change when subjected to very low temperatures. You can still repair frozen paint by defrosting it properly to remove lumps. The formation of lumps, which occurs when paint freezes, is a sign that the paint is no longer good to use.
Maintaining the right temperature and proper storage are the key ways to prevent damage caused by freezing. You can also save yourself some trouble later on by painting a line on the side of the paint can at the level that the paint reaches inside the can. Painting when the weather changes is no ordinary painting job, but it can definitely be achieved. Despite common wisdom that old paint isn't worth keeping, it is possible to safely store paint and use it for touch-ups even years after the original paint job.
Oil-based paints do not present significant problems, since these types have a lower freezing point than water-based paints. The University of Missouri Extension states that oil-based paint can last up to 15 years and latex paint can last up to 10 years. Some paints that only started to freeze (or were frozen for a short time) are more likely to be recoverable than paints that were frozen all winter long. It's important to keep in mind that preventing paint from freezing is even better than spending time fixing frozen paint.
When you close the paint can, cover the opening with plastic wrap and then place the lid over the paint can and close it with a rubber hammer. Other people even freeze their oil painting and simply let the paint thaw at room temperature to prevent it from becoming brittle. Look for a painting contractor you can trust; one that tells you what type of coating system they are going to use, when is the right time to paint, and when is not the right time to paint. The above information is not to prevent you from painting your exterior when it gets colder, but to help you understand that you should be much more mindful of than a normal paint job.
So, if you've been avoiding a painting project in your house, motivate yourself by thinking about how you can use that old paint before winter. .
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