Brooklyn has cold winters, humid summers and rain in every month. Exterior paint needs a dry surface and mild air for several hours after it goes on, so the season matters.
What is the best time of year to paint the outside of a house here?
The best months for exterior painting in Brooklyn are roughly May through October. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable, with mild days and lower humidity. Summer works too, with early starts and care in direct sun. Winter is too cold for most exterior paint to form a proper film.
Can you paint outside when it is raining or about to rain?
No. Paint cannot go on a wet wall, and fresh paint needs hours of dry weather before rain reaches it. We watch the forecast and stop early when showers are due. Covered areas such as a porch ceiling can sometimes carry on.
It rained a few hours after painting. Is it ruined?
Often it is fine. If the paint had a few hours to set before the rain came, it usually survives a light shower. A heavy downpour soon after painting can wash paint off or leave streaks and spots. Let it dry and look. Damaged areas are sanded lightly and recoated.
How long after rain before siding can be painted?
Wait until the surface is dry right through, not only on top. After rain, smooth siding in sun can dry out in a day. Bare wood, shaded north walls, brick and stucco hold water much longer and can need several dry days. After power washing, allow the same drying time.
How cold is too cold to paint outside?
It is too cold when the air or the wall is below the minimum on the paint can. Many exterior acrylics list 50 degrees F. Some are made for use down to 35 degrees F. The temperature has to stay above that limit for hours after painting, and nights turn cold fast here in late fall. Masonry stays colder than the air.
How hot is too hot, and is direct sun a problem?
It is too hot when the surface is hot to the touch. Direct sun on a dark wall dries paint before it can level and bond, which leads to lap marks and blisters. In July and August we follow the shade around the house: the west side in the morning and the east side in the afternoon. High humidity slows drying too.
Can you paint inside in winter with the windows closed?
Yes. Interior painting works well in winter. Modern low-odor, low-VOC paints can be used with the windows closed or opened a crack. Steam heat in older Brooklyn buildings keeps rooms warm and dry, which helps paint dry. We keep fresh paint away from hot radiators and pipes until it sets.
Does salt air near the water affect exterior paint?
Yes. Homes near the Narrows, the bay and the ocean get salt on their walls, and salt under paint weakens the bond. Those walls should be washed and rinsed well before painting. Metal railings and gates rust faster near the water and need a rust-inhibiting primer.
What does a Brooklyn winter do to paint?
Winter works on any crack. Water gets into open joints in wood trim and into porous masonry, freezes, expands and lifts the paint. That is why caulking and priming bare spots before winter does more good than an extra finish coat.
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