Spraying outside when it's damp after rain

[derek8619]

I'm currently working on two models. One body is ready for color and the other needs primer coat #2. It's been raining / snowing here for the last three days but it has finally stopped! I spray outside on my balcony with an airbrush and Tamiya paint / primer. My question is will the dampness in the air effect the way the paint and primer take? The temperature is currently 0.

[CadillacPat]

0 degrees?

CadillacPat

[Ace-Garageguy]

0degC or 0degF ?

IF your car body, paint and airbrush are warm, you might dash outside and spray, then dash back inside to let it flash.

Seriously, in general probably not a good idea. The air really needs to be relatively dry and warm to allow your coating materials to perform properly. IF you were shooting catalyzed materials with a polar hardener you might be okay down to 45 or 50F, but it's just not a good idea with anything, especially air-dry materials, to try to paint in cold, humid conditions.

Unless you really want to do it over again in nice weather.

[Tom Geiger]

Sounds like you need to build yourself a little spray booth. The above one has served me over 20 years. It's a 24" plastic recycling bin with a bathroom fan mounted in the back, and two lights attached to it. Everything is plugged into the same power strip so I just flip a switch to turn it on. I toss the hose out the window and paint in any weather! In fact I think that's snow on the roof outside the window in that picture.

[martinfan5]

As long as you warm both the paint and the body, and then as soon as you are done painting, bring the body inside, you should be ok

Edited April 12, 2013 by martinfan5

[Cato]

Just don't-have the discipline to wait for less humidity and some better temp. I have primed indoors at 55F and brought into the house immediately at 70F. But for a solid color job-just wait. Or you'll decide to do it again after stripping. A waste.

[slusher]

I have seen some really nice paint finishes from Randy b who lives in canada who goes outside for a quick spray and SFD who also lives in canada. They used a can paint not airbrush. Wait and see what happens..