Spray painting in cold weather

[Michael_in_DE]

I know it's not advisable but I'm gonna end up doing it anyway.

I plan to keep the paint and parts in the house until I actually get ready to paint. Even then when I do paint I will do so in the attached garage with the door open and fan blowing. Hanging to dry outside because I don't want to the smell of paint going throughout the house afterwards.

The parts, items the size of of a breadbox essentially, would even fit in the oven. I contemplating putting them in the oven at 150 degrees right before painting them.

Any thoughts tips or advice?

 

[astroracer]

Build a cardboard box paint booth big enough to hang the parts and put a heat lamp in it. plenty warm to let the paint cure.
Mark

 

[The Cobbler]

i fit is something you want a good finish on, I would re think... cold & spray paint is apt to run and look crappy.

 

[lilredex]

When the part is small enough, I hold it outside and spray. Then, bring inside to dry. There is little or no smell once the spraying is finished. Both the part and paint are not outside long enough to cause any problems.

Done it this way for many years.

 

[Mick56]

I have also went outside and painted, then brought item back in the house. Never really had any smell.

 

[Vicegrips]

I know it's not advisable but I'm gonna end up doing it anyway.

I plan to keep the paint and parts in the house until I actually get ready to paint. Even then when I do paint I will do so in the attached garage with the door open and fan blowing. Hanging to dry outside because I don't want to the smell of paint going throughout the house afterwards.

The parts, items the size of of a breadbox essentially, would even fit in the oven. I contemplating putting them in the oven at 150 degrees right before painting them.

Any thoughts tips or advice?

What kind of paint are you using? Is the part already painted? Are you using a can or a spray gun? If you are what kind of sprayer? There’s plenty of tricks depending on the situation

 

[Michael_in_DE]

What kind of paint are you using? Is the part already painted? Are you using a can or a spray gun? If you are what kind of sprayer? There’s plenty of tricks depending on the situation

To get the closest color match, I am using Basic general purpose rustoleum spray paint from an aerosol can.

The parts are already painted but beat up. 2 Tool box side trays and a spray can holder. As beat up, greasy, and sticker covered they are, I contemplated, (and still am) getting new ones to paint.

Another option is is I have a Macco 3 doors down from my work. This macco shop has pretty good reviews. That would alleviate a lot of problems. Not to mention they would color match a lot better than I can picking out spray cans. But I don't know what they would charge.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I painted a large cast iron 20” band saw with a paint gun outside once in 31 degree weather, and the bandsaw was outside before I started. It did surprisingly well, using grey porch paint. I painted this machine casting pictured outside the other day in 55 degrees. Moved it out of the 62 degree shop on a pallet with the forklift, shot it, then placed it back inside to dry. It stunk the shop up for several days. Industrial enamel.

 

[Vicegrips]

To get the closest color match, I am using Basic general purpose rustoleum spray paint from an aerosol can.

The parts are already painted but beat up. 2 Tool box side trays and a spray can holder. As beat up, greasy, and sticker covered they are, I contemplated, (and still am) getting new ones to paint.

Another option is is I have a Macco 3 doors down from my work. This macco shop has pretty good reviews. That would alleviate a lot of problems. Not to mention they would color match a lot better than I can picking out spray cans. But I don't know what they would charge.

I forgot if you posted how cold it will be? I paint professionally for 35 years and we would spray lots out doors simply because it was cleaner than inside with the Carpentiers seemingly trying to get dust in everything we just painted.

I’d get the metal as warm as possible as well as the paint. Spray a light coat first or as we would call it a tack coat, and spray the second coat before the first coat dries. Because it’s sticky/tacky the 2nd coat will hang on better and be less likely to run.
It’s generally better to do multiple coats, in the long run it will smell less and the paint will take less time to cure and reach its full hardness. I like the heat lamp idea. Moisture plays a big part with dry time too

When ever I want to paint/coat metal or anything for that matter when it’s cold I like to use a short potlife polyaspartic. It can be used in temps down to -40 and it dries and cures the same as if it was 80 out. But you’ve got 10-15 minutes of pot life once the hardener touches the poly so you’ve got to work fast!

 

[Vicegrips]

I painted a large cast iron 20” band saw with a paint gun outside once in 31 degree weather, and the bandsaw was outside before I started. It did surprisingly well, using grey porch paint. I painted this machine casting pictured outside the other day in 55 degrees. Moved it out of the 62 degree shop on a pallet with the forklift, shot it, then placed it back inside to dry. It stunk the shop up for several days. Industrial enamel.

Looks nice

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Embrace the smell. I'd be spreading outside and then getting them back inside to dry. Complete 180.

 

[Maui]

I’ve painted bare metal vises outside at temperatures as low as 44F with Rustoleum rattle can paint without experiencing any problems. Watch the humidity though. It should not be higher than 65% when you paint.

Maui

 

[paulm12]

I have also painted many smaller items in colder (30 to 45 deg) weather. Step out to the garage with warm can of paint, spray a few light coats, leave over night and bring in the house the next morning. Very little smell. I just don't count the outside time as part of the proper curing time before additional coats or sanding.