Spring and fall are the best seasons to paint outside in Modesto. Summer is workable with early starts. Winter depends on the rain and the fog. The climate here is unusual for paint: July afternoons average about 94 degrees, almost no rain falls in summer, and most of the year's 13 inches or so of rain comes between November and March.
What is the best time of year to paint the outside of a house here?
The best months are roughly March to May and late September to early November. Days are warm, nights are mild, rain is light and walls are not baking in the afternoon.
Summer is the dry season, so rain is not a worry, but heat is. We paint in summer by starting early and working around the house ahead of the sun. Winter jobs are done in dry spells.
Can you paint outside when it is raining or about to rain?
No. Exterior paint should not be applied in rain or when rain is expected before the paint has set. Rain on wet paint washes it, thins it and leaves streaks and spots.
From about June to September it hardly rains in Modesto at all. From November to March we watch the forecast and do not start a wall that cannot dry in time.
It rained a few hours after painting. Is it ruined?
Probably not, if the paint had a few hours to set. Most acrylic exterior paints resist a light shower once they are dry to the touch. Heavy rain on fresh paint is another matter.
Look at the walls once they dry. Streaks, bare spots, a blotchy sheen or brownish runs called surfactant leaching are the signs. Light leaching often washes off. Damaged areas need another coat. Call your painter and have them look.
How long after rain before siding can be painted?
Wait until the surface is fully dry. After rain, that is usually at least a full dry day for stucco and painted siding, and longer for bare wood, shaded walls and anything soaked.
In Modesto the wait depends on the season. After a spring shower followed by sun and a breeze, walls dry fast. In a week of winter tule fog, north walls can stay damp for days. A moisture meter on wood removes the guesswork.
How cold is too cold to paint outside?
Too cold is whatever the paint label says, and for many exterior paints that is 50 degrees. Some are made to go on down to 35 degrees. The surface temperature counts, not just the air.
Hard cold is rare in Modesto. Winter afternoons average in the mid 50s and nights around 40. The real winter limits here are cold mornings, dew and fog. Paint needs several hours above its minimum to form a film, so winter painting is done in the middle of the day.
How hot is too hot, and is direct sun a problem?
Too hot is generally a surface above about 90 degrees, and yes, direct sun is a problem. A wall in full afternoon sun can be far hotter than the air. Paint dries on it before it can level and bond, which causes lap marks, blisters and early peeling.
This is the main weather issue in Modesto. In summer we start early, paint the west side in the morning and the east side later, and stop when walls get too hot. Stain on decks and fences needs the same care.
Does wind matter when painting outside?
Yes. Wind dries paint too fast, blows dust and leaves into wet paint and carries spray onto cars, windows and the neighbor's house.
Dust is a real factor around Modesto in late summer and fall, when orchards are being harvested. We do not spray in wind. On breezy days we brush and roll or move to sheltered sides.
Can you paint inside in winter with the windows closed?
Yes. Interior painting goes on all winter with the windows closed. Modern water-based paints are low in odor, and the heating keeps the house warm enough for paint to dry.
Paint dries a little slower in damp, foggy weather, so we allow more time between coats. Cracking a window or running a fan helps if the weather allows.
Does morning dew or fog affect exterior paint?
Yes. Paint applied too late in the day can be hit by dew before it has set, which dulls the sheen and can cause streaking. Paint applied over dew or fog-damp walls in the morning does not bond well.
In the cooler months we start after the walls have dried and stop early enough for the paint to set before evening.
To get on the schedule for the season you want, call or text (209) 231-7078.