Cold can affect both the paint and the surface being painted if both are warm ed before painting. The paint will chill when sprayed and when it hits a warmer, but cooling surface, condensation will occur in the paint and on the surface. This leads to a condition called "blushing". It shows as a haze in the paint. It doesn't always occur but do you really want to take the chance on that engine or car you put in so much time? A building may not matter as much but it's best to use a spray booth if possibile. I built one for less than $25.00 and it works great. Look at those $200 and up ones and copy the design. Most important are a good fan and good filtering.
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Bing (RIPRR The Route of the Buzzards)
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My office/shop has it's own access door/stairs to the garage. That's where I paint when it's really cold outside. We're talking maybe 10 seconds worth of spray in most cases, so I don't bother with the door. If I did spray longer, I'd briefly open the door after I'm done to ventilate.
All this presumes the garage is big enough so that overspray doesn't become an issue. Small garage + wife's new white car = big trouble
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Can you use the spray in a garage instead of outdoors? Obviously, you need to have the garage door fully open. I've used the Dull Cote this way w/o issues and kept in there throughout the winter. After reading some of the posts, I might move the paint indoors for storage.
The most important factor here is what temp the paint is. Don't leave it outside, keep in in with your other model stuff, and you should be fine with a brief foray out to spray. I do it all the time. I do try to avoid below freezing temps for spraying, but seems to do OK even then.
Eric and Jim's cautions are still good ones to keep in mind. If it was my masterpiece, I'd be more cautious. When you spray paint, it's cooled by the fact of being aeresolized anyway. The key is keeping that temp drop within the bounds of the paint spec. It's definitely cooler than 55 degrees, but then warms when it hits the model. But for most stuff just going on the layout, I spray away.
Something that can help, even with spraying on a fine day that's warm, is to sit the can in warm water (NOT on top the stove in hot water, puhlease!) for 15 minutes or so before spraying. This gives a finer mist and better coverage...and will help on those cool days spraying outside, too.
Is the cold outdoor area your substitute for a spary booth? Wait for a temperate day or get yourself set up with a vented spray booth. Or find an acrylic paint to mitigate issues with nasty vapors.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
It will affect the way the paint sticks to the surface and how it cures.
You'll likely be outside longer than you're thinking you will, and the plastic will get cold. If the paint gets cold too, it won't spray well. Just like oil, it gets thicker when it gets cold.
If you're desperate, you might try warming the model, and the paint.
Hello. I know that it says not to use Model Master spray paint cans below 55 degrees, but is that because the can may not operate properly or because there's a bad reaction with the paint and the air?
I guess my real questions is, if I have to clear coat something with their Dull Cote paint, can I just step out of my house in 40 degree weather, give it a couple of quick sprays and then step back in or does the cold air react badly with the sprayed paint?
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