The Optimum Temperature for Painting Latex Interior

About Latex Paint

• Paints are classified by the type of binder used in the ingredients. Latex paint is water-based, as opposed to oil-based paint. Latex paint contains between 50 to 90 percent water as the base ingredient. This base evaporates as the paint dries and leaves the pigmented coating behind. Latex paint often contains glycols and glycol ethers as solvents to keep the pigments and binders in solution. Latex paint gives off less odor than oil-based paint, which makes it more desirable for interior use. It also dries quickly and is easy to clean up with soap and water. Latex paint also flows easily onto walls, making it easier to apply than oil-based paints.

Latex Paint Used For Interior Surfaces

• Latex paint is frequently used for interior walls because it gives a smooth coverage with no brush marks. Latex paint comes in a wide variety of colors. Some paints have additional ingredients that make them more washable, for areas of the house that require frequent cleaning, such as children’s rooms, family rooms and bathrooms.

Best Temperatures For Using Interior Latex Paint

• The optimum environment for painting is when room temperatures are between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the Dutch Boy website. At above and below these temperatures, the consistency of the paint becomes unstable, making it harder to apply evenly.

Temperature Problems

• Latex paint will thicken and become a problem when applying outside the optimum temperatures. When you cannot adequately control the temperature of the room when using interior latex paint, you can use a paint additive compound that helps to control paint flow and drying time in extremely cold, hot or humid conditions, according to the Flood website.

Drying Temperatures For Latex Interior Paint

• The optimum drying temperature for latex paint is 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures above and below this range will increase drying time. Generally, you must wait at least four hours before applying additional coats of paint. If temperatures increase or decrease outside of the optimum drying range, you may have to wait for an additional amount of time before continuing the painting project.