Painting concrete in low temperatures can be a daunting task and have many potential problems. Below are some important aspects to consider for applying painting products in cold weather.
Water or moisture can be a problem. When concrete continuously freezes and thaws it can be damaged by water that enters the surface. If moisture fills a certain percentage of the pore structure (usually 90% or more), the change in volume that occurs during the freeze-thaw process can displace the concrete.
How coatings can help
Concrete’s primary defense is en-trained air in the concrete mix, but high-performance coatings will most assuredly add to the solution. By protecting concrete from taking in water, coatings can further eliminate worries about freeze-thaw damage. You can protect your concrete with waterproofing.
What to watch for
How does cold weather affect the choice and application of these high-performance coatings? Pro Color’s architectural executive for the Sherwin Williams Concrete Products department says, “the surface temperature is the most important aspects to consider.” “High-performance coatings generally have enough flexibility to sustain thermal movement once cured, it’s the application process that is most important”.
Low-temp coatings
As you may know; most coatings are recommended for application at temperatures between 50 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. However; we have found various painting products that are manufactured for application in lower temperatures. Several of the exterior water-based coatings are perfectly fine being applied on surfaces with temperatures as low as 35 degrees. In fact, when using solvent-based concrete finishes we can apply at temperatures down to 20 degrees safely.
Water or moisture can be a problem. When concrete continuously freezes and thaws it can be damaged by water that enters the surface. If moisture fills a certain percentage of the pore structure (usually 90% or more), the change in volume that occurs during the freeze-thaw process can displace the concrete.
How coatings can help
Concrete’s primary defense is en-trained air in the concrete mix, but high-performance coatings will most assuredly add to the solution. By protecting concrete from taking in water, coatings can further eliminate worries about freeze-thaw damage. You can protect your concrete with waterproofing.
What to watch for
How does cold weather affect the choice and application of these high-performance coatings? Pro Color’s architectural executive for the Sherwin Williams Concrete Products department says, “the surface temperature is the most important aspects to consider.” “High-performance coatings generally have enough flexibility to sustain thermal movement once cured, it’s the application process that is most important”.
Low-temp coatings
As you may know; most coatings are recommended for application at temperatures between 50 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. However; we have found various painting products that are manufactured for application in lower temperatures. Several of the exterior water-based coatings are perfectly fine being applied on surfaces with temperatures as low as 35 degrees. In fact, when using solvent-based concrete finishes we can apply at temperatures down to 20 degrees safely.
Coating Concrete at Lower Temperatures
1. We choose elastomeric coatings for the solution with thermal movement. When we expect a concrete wall to go through extreme thermal movement, elastomerics help accommodate and provide a highly flexible protective film. Elastomeric coatings prevent moisture ingress into the concrete and protect with repeated freezing and thaw fluctuations.
2. Removing chemical residue in cold climates or other residue on the concrete surface is very important before applying any coating. You can remove most efflorescence salts by power washing, but you will want to address other residues specifically. Good exterior painters know to paint on clean surfaces!
3. Don’t add extender solutions or solvents. Temperatures have an effect on the application process. All paint or weatherproofing products will change viscosity when temperatures fluctuate. When the temperature drops paint and painting materials thicken, or paint material applied to a surface that is extremely hot or in direct sunlight it may have a tendency to dry too fast, adhesion problems and fail to give a proper finish. Never add water or extenders; paint manufacturers don’t consider these additives when developing paint products or consider when testing their performance.
4. Make sure the surface is dry before you apply any paint product, so that the paint material can properly adhere to the surfaces. Also, even though some solvent coatings can be applied to surfaces below 32 degrees, take care during the colder season not to apply to any surface that might contain ice; it will eventually thaw and affect adhesion.
Cold Climates Coatings We Use on Concrete
*For thermal movement: Conflex XL™ High Build Coating.
*For ingress of water / help protect against freeze-thaw damage: Loxon XP® Masonry Coating or UltraCrete Solvent Borne Texture Coating.
*Solvent-based coatings: for surface temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit, try UltraCrete Solvent Borne Texture Coating.
When painting later in the day the concerns with dew or impending rain are quite real. We use S.W. Resilience® Exterior Acrylic Latex Paint. This high grade paint is formulated with MoistureGuard™ technology, it will resists moisture twice as quick as other exterior latex coatings. Freshly painted exterior surfaces develop resistance to moisture in half the time (2 hours) with Resilience.
In the Jacksonville, Florida area and need a exterior painting contractor? Contact Pro Color Painting Company or request a free quote though our website. Quotes are fast, free and come with no obligation. We are a Jacksonville painting company with top reviews!
1. We choose elastomeric coatings for the solution with thermal movement. When we expect a concrete wall to go through extreme thermal movement, elastomerics help accommodate and provide a highly flexible protective film. Elastomeric coatings prevent moisture ingress into the concrete and protect with repeated freezing and thaw fluctuations.
2. Removing chemical residue in cold climates or other residue on the concrete surface is very important before applying any coating. You can remove most efflorescence salts by power washing, but you will want to address other residues specifically. Good exterior painters know to paint on clean surfaces!
3. Don’t add extender solutions or solvents. Temperatures have an effect on the application process. All paint or weatherproofing products will change viscosity when temperatures fluctuate. When the temperature drops paint and painting materials thicken, or paint material applied to a surface that is extremely hot or in direct sunlight it may have a tendency to dry too fast, adhesion problems and fail to give a proper finish. Never add water or extenders; paint manufacturers don’t consider these additives when developing paint products or consider when testing their performance.
4. Make sure the surface is dry before you apply any paint product, so that the paint material can properly adhere to the surfaces. Also, even though some solvent coatings can be applied to surfaces below 32 degrees, take care during the colder season not to apply to any surface that might contain ice; it will eventually thaw and affect adhesion.
Cold Climates Coatings We Use on Concrete
*For thermal movement: Conflex XL™ High Build Coating.
*For ingress of water / help protect against freeze-thaw damage: Loxon XP® Masonry Coating or UltraCrete Solvent Borne Texture Coating.
*Solvent-based coatings: for surface temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit, try UltraCrete Solvent Borne Texture Coating.
When painting later in the day the concerns with dew or impending rain are quite real. We use S.W. Resilience® Exterior Acrylic Latex Paint. This high grade paint is formulated with MoistureGuard™ technology, it will resists moisture twice as quick as other exterior latex coatings. Freshly painted exterior surfaces develop resistance to moisture in half the time (2 hours) with Resilience.
In the Jacksonville, Florida area and need a exterior painting contractor? Contact Pro Color Painting Company or request a free quote though our website. Quotes are fast, free and come with no obligation. We are a Jacksonville painting company with top reviews!
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