Spray painting in cold weather?

[Cameron1138]

I've got a couple props I need to spraypaint for a con in January. I'm in Michigan, so by now it's generally in the 50s at best, and will only be getting colder (by the time I'm ready to do the painting, it'll probably be in the 40s). Spraypaint cans say there's a specific temperature range in which you're supposed to use it (can't remember exactly what it is, but I know it's higher than that). What happens if you use it when it's colder?

 

[KevinD]

Best case scenario, it takes longer to dry, worst case, it dries, looks fine but doesn't stick well to the surface. You can always keep the can indoors until the moment of spraying. If it is damp as well, forget it.

 

[Darth Lars]

Some tricks I have used for painting in cold weather:
- Let the spray can sit in a jug of warm water for a while before spraying.
- Warm the object with a heat gun.
- Place your object inside a large (disposable) cardboard box on a stool, with the opening open to the side. Spray it, then place a couple of lit tealights inside the box and close it. This will work if the box is large enough, if the box does not fall over, if the tealights are not directly under the thing being painted and if you don't spray directly onto an open flame (whoosh!). The temperature inside the box will be above room temperature even if it is freezing outside.
- Take the object indoors after thirty minutes to an hour and place it in the bathroom or another room where the ventilation is not bad and which is not a main living area.
There will still be an odour, but it will not be critical.

 

[joberg]

Depends on the surface you're using (plastic, wood, foam, etc). Depends on the brand of spray you're going to use (Krylon is fine with cold weather, but cannot be: silver, gold, chrome, high gloss, high gloss black, white...well you get my drift). All satin and mat colours are o.k. with the cold, but it might dry funny (a little like the outside of a Samsonite case, with lil' tiny depressions on your paint). Test the surface with a piece of extra material before making the jump on the real deal. Good luck

 

[Cameron1138]

The only color I'll really have to spray will be black (it's a sword and a dagger; I can use Rub n Buff for the metallic details). What I'll try to do is store the paint inside before using it, do the spraying in my garage, and take it into a bathroom as soon as possible for it to dry.

 

[Zombie_61]

...- Let the spray can sit in a jug of warm water for a while before spraying...

I do this with all of my rattle cans regardless of the temperature or humidity level. Hot tap water is sufficient, and the paint "lays down" much nicer on the surface of whatever I'm painting at the time.

 

[Scotophor]

Another thing to do when spray painting, but especially in cold/humid conditions, is avoid breathing on the item you're painting. If you're not wearing a mask, try to keep your head turned to the side, and breathe through your nose when you must be close to it.