The Final Touch

[dave1949]

Following other threads on body prep/ spraying/ woodwork treatment,
taking into account our great british climate is it sensible to carry out spraying/staining/varnishing in a garage at home during the COLD winter months even if only rubbing down and primer or best left to warmer days?
is there a set temp to work at??

[8009STEVE]

on cold days, I fire up the space heater, pointing it into the garage. 10 mins later, I have a low bake oven.

[MoggyTech]

Depends on the paint/varnish you are painting with. For cellulose there are recomended spraying conditions for temperature and humidity. If cold and or damp, the paint will take too long to flash off and you end up with solvent popping when you apply the next coat.

For varnish and enamel, cold usually just means the finish will take longer to dry, but again, if the product carries temperature information, follow it.

I do all finishing work at 20c and no more than 60% relative humidity.
I use a ceramic heater that doesn't blow hot air to avoid blowing dust about the garage, and a de-humidifier set for 50% RH

[chickenjohn]

Wait till spring, on a dry air day and at 20C in your garage for cellulose, especially top coat. Cold and damp will play havoc with celly painting.