The dependable season for exterior painting in Salt Lake City runs from about May into early October. Spring is the wettest part of the year, high summer is hot and very sunny, and fall is mild but the nights turn cold fast.
Climate figures on this page are National Weather Service normals for Salt Lake City as widely published: about 15.5 inches of precipitation and about 52 inches of snow a year at the airport, more on the benches, and an average frost-free season from April 30 to October 15.
What is the best time of year to paint the outside of a house here?
The best months are late May and June, and September into early October. Days are warm, nights stay above the paint's minimum and the sun is less fierce than in July.
July and August work too, with care. July is the driest month of the year here, but afternoons are often well above 90 degrees, so the crew starts early and follows the shade. March through May are the wettest months, so spring jobs need a flexible start date.
Can you paint outside when it is raining or about to rain?
No. Paint will not bond to a wet wall, and rain on fresh paint washes it or leaves spots. We do not paint outside in rain or when rain is due before the paint can set.
Covered porches and soffits can sometimes be done in light rain. Summer thunderstorms here build fast in the afternoon, so we check the radar, not just the morning sky.
It rained a few hours after painting. Is it ruined?
Usually not. If it rained a few hours after painting, most modern acrylic paint had already set enough to shed light rain. Our dry air helps it set fast.
Look at the wall once it dries. Streaks, water spots, a washed-out look or soapy brown drips mean that section needs another coat. Heavy rain or hail within the first hour or two can wash paint off, and that part is redone.
How long after rain before siding can be painted?
Wait until the surface is dry all the way through. After rain here, smooth siding in the sun is often ready the next day.
Bare wood, stucco, the shaded north side and anything near the ground hold water longer. Horizontal surfaces such as sills and deck boards are the slowest. After power washing we allow at least a day or two of dry weather. A moisture meter settles doubts on wood.
How cold is too cold to paint outside?
It is too cold when the air or the wall is below the minimum on the paint label. For many exterior acrylic paints that is 50 degrees, and some are made to go on down to about 35 degrees.
The catch in Salt Lake is the night. With dry air and clear skies the temperature falls quickly after sunset, and a 60 degree afternoon in April or October can be followed by frost. Paint needs hours above its minimum to form a film, so in spring and fall we stop early in the day. The wall temperature in shade can be well under the air temperature.
How hot is too hot, and is direct sun a problem?
It is too hot when the wall itself is hot to the touch, and yes, direct sun is a problem. A dark wall in full July sun here is far hotter than the air. Paint on it dries before it can level and bond, which leads to lap marks, blisters and early peeling.
The answer is to follow the shade: east side later in the morning, west side early, south side when it is in shade or on a cooler day. Check the label for the top temperature as well.
Can you paint inside in winter with the windows closed?
Yes. Interior painting works well in winter. The house is heated, the air is dry and paint dries properly with the windows closed.
We use low-odor paint and open windows for short spells to change the air. On bad inversion days, when valley air quality is poor, we keep those spells short. Winter is often the easiest time to book interior work.
Does wind or wildfire smoke affect exterior painting?
Wind does. It carries overspray, blows dust and grit onto wet paint and dries the paint too fast. Canyon winds reach the east benches, and strong east winds hit Bountiful and south Davis County several times in a typical year. On windy days we brush and roll, or wait.
Smoke and summer haze do not harm paint much, but ash and dust that settle on a wall should be rinsed off before painting.
Can exterior painting be done in winter?
Rarely. From November to March most days and nearly all nights are below what paint needs, and walls stay cold and damp from snow.
A sunny, mild spell can allow a small job such as a front door or a sheltered wall. A full exterior is better booked in winter for a spring start.