GW spray paint and cold weather

[Fimbul]

Evening gentlemen. As the topic suggests, I have a question regarding the use of GW spray paints in cold weather. I do my priming in my front yard to avoid too much paint flying around inside, especially around my kids, so I've kept the paint in my garage. These days, we're going below -10 Celsius and after giving some priming a shot today I wonder if it was a bad idea to do it like that. Basically, is it not recommended to do any spraying at all in cold weather? or can I do the spraying itself, but keep the cans inside and let the models dry inside? Any pointers appreciated.

 

Thanks.

[Marshal Wilhelm]

Evening gentlemen. As the topic suggests, I have a question regarding the use of GW spray paints in cold weather. I do my priming in my front yard to avoid too much paint flying around inside, especially around my kids, so I've kept the paint in my garage. These days, we're going below -10 Celsius and after giving some priming a shot today I wonder if it was a bad idea to do it like that. Basically, is it not recommended to do any spraying at all in cold weather? or can I do the spraying itself, but keep the cans inside and let the models dry inside? Any pointers appreciated.

 

Thanks.

 

It is true that there is an optimum air temperature for spray painting. Below freezing is definitely out of that range!

 

Really 20ºC is what you want. 10º is getting too cold and 30º is getting too hot. When it is too hot, the paint particles are already drying before they hit the miniature, thereby 'dusting' the miniature. If you go closer to get wet paint on them, then the mini gets hit with more paint and is drowned. Boo!

 

Whenever cars get spray painted professionally, they usually use a spray booth and that has heaters in it.

 

The same thing applies when using plastic glue. I used to glue in a metal garage and whenever it was cold [due to season or time of day] the glue just would refuse to react.

 

You need to spray in a moderate environment. Have a heater on near where you spray, BUT DON'T SPRAY onto an electric heater element - the glowing orange bit. The spray might catch ON FIRE!

You might just have to wait until it warms up a bit where you live.

[Red Fury]

I live in snow country and can't just forgo painting for 4-6 months out of the year. I keep the paint inside the house to keep them from freezing, but paint outside in the cold. Last week it was actually snowing so I took my models and paint and sprayed them inside my shed while keeping the door open. I have never had any problems at all spraying in the cold (I've been here for 6 winters now).

I think it is most important to keep the paint from ever freezing, I know latex will separate badly but I don't know what happens to spray so better safe than sorry. And make sure your spray can and model are in an acceptable temp range before going out and painting in the cold. Take the can back inside with you between coats.

[onipunk]

I live in Scotland, or as it's known, Antarctica The Second. So aye, it's a bit chilly over here. It's far too cold to prime outside, so I usually just spray in a carboard box in my room with my window open, then I Blu Tack the minis to a box near the open window to dry them quicker. The reason for the open window is so that the room's well-ventilated and I don't get too many primer-induced headaches...

[Fimbul]

Thanks for the replies.

 

Waiting for warmer weather really isn't an option, we might not see the 10+ celsius scale until April next year, I've got painting to do ^_^

 

I like Red Fury's suggestion of keeping everything inside but go outside to do the actual priming. I'll see if I have a heater I can use and put my models to dry inside as well. Looks like they didn't come off too bad the ones I did prime, but the colours are a little off, so I'm going to try the other approach today with my cans being warmer.

[CainTheHunter]

Thanks for the replies.

 

Waiting for warmer weather really isn't an option, we might not see the 10+ celsius scale until April next year, I've got painting to do ;)

 

I like Red Fury's suggestion of keeping everything inside but go outside to do the actual priming. I'll see if I have a heater I can use and put my models to dry inside as well. Looks like they didn't come off too bad the ones I did prime, but the colours are a little off, so I'm going to try the other approach today with my cans being warmer.

 

 

Yes indeed, this is rather an issue of proper drying rather than spraying. Though I woudn't spray outside currently, since the minis now may catch some snow, which in its turn will water down the priming coat :P.

[Fimbul]

Thanks for the replies.

 

Waiting for warmer weather really isn't an option, we might not see the 10+ celsius scale until April next year, I've got painting to do ;)

 

I like Red Fury's suggestion of keeping everything inside but go outside to do the actual priming. I'll see if I have a heater I can use and put my models to dry inside as well. Looks like they didn't come off too bad the ones I did prime, but the colours are a little off, so I'm going to try the other approach today with my cans being warmer.

 

 

Yes indeed, this is rather an issue of proper drying rather than spraying. Though I woudn't spray outside currently, since the minis now may catch some snow, which in its turn will water down the priming coat :P.

 

Hehe, not too worried about snow at this point, it's hellishly cold, but it's been a very dry month. It does seem that as long as I take care and at least store everything inside I'll be fine which is what I hoped.

 

But hey, perhaps I can use snow to water down the rest of the paints? :lol:

[Brother Aiwass]

How about putting your spray in warm water for a while, then go out and spray?

[Fimbul]

Storing it relatively warm is not really a big issue, I've got my hobby room/office where I have it now. Did look better once I did the priming yesterday and the models are looking good today after storing everything as well as drying them inside. Just did the spraying itself outside, no problems.