How to Paint on Humid Days

Clean and dry the area to be painted as much as possible. Water can invade wood, masonry and metal and promote the growth of mildew. Adding paint on a humid day can exacerbate the problem.

Purchase primers and paints that work well in humid conditions. Avoid solvent-based products in favor of latex-based primers and mildew-resistant paints.

Consult the weather forecast before painting. Since temperature affects humidity and humidity affects paint, try to wait for a day or days that are expected to have fairly consistent daily temperatures.

Paint during the morning hours. Latex-based paints use water as the solvent. During drying, water evaporates from the film, leaving what should be a tough, durable coating. The evaporation of water depends on ambient temperature and humidity. With a rising temperature, humidity falls, facilitating the evaporation of water from the film. Stop painting if temperatures begin to fall.

Follow the sun. Paint first on surfaces that have been exposed to sun but are no longer in direct sunlight.

Wait for the primer to dry completely, according to the manufacturer's instructions, before applying a coat of paint.