I'm a paint expert – the exact temperature to give your garden a glow-up & when it's TOO hot to get the best results

Scottish Sun

20-05-2025

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MANY of us have been flocking to our gardens in recent weeks to enjoy the lovely burst of sunshine and hot weather.
Whether we want to enjoy quality time with family and friends or take a quiet moment alone to relax, our gardens are a sanctuary when it's warm outside.
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Experts have warned against painting your garden during the hot weather
Credit: GETTY
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And they revealed the exact temperature you could give your garden a fresh coat
Credit: Getty
Which is why homeowners are starting to give their outdoor spaces a glow-up if they haven't already.
And an easy way to do that is by giving the space a fresh coat of paint - everything from fences to wooden furniture can be spruced up with a lick of paint.
So why not pick up a brush when the sun's out and we can top up our tan while getting some much-needed DIY work done?
Well, before you go rushing to your local home improvement store, experts have warned that this isn't the best idea.
Paint and Interiors Expert Lucy Steele, from V&CO Paint, has revealed that painting during a heatwave could actually give you more work than anticipated.
And she explained exactly why you should never paint in the heat, even though it may seem like a good idea.
If you're unsure of whether or not you can paint, a simple rule would be if the surface you wish to paint is warm to the touch, then it is too warm to paint
Lucy Steele
She said: "When painting in a heatwave, you'll most likely find the paint will dry much quicker than when the weather is cooler.
"Whilst this might seem like a good thing, it most definitely isn't.
"When the paint dries too quickly, it can cause many problems, such as uneven finishes, cracks, fading and can cause the paint to peel off.
Lucy also added that paint is at risk of overheating if it's left out in hot weather or sunshine.
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She continued: "If you've not left paint in a cool storage space, then there is a high chance that the paint will overheat in these temperatures.
"Applying paint that has overheated will create bumps and blisters on the surface of the wall.
"This will cause an uneven finish, meaning you'll have to start all over again."
So, what is the perfect temperature for painting outside? Lucy explained that it should be no higher than 21C outside when you pick up the paintbrush.
But if you can't wait that long, then you could go a little higher, but Lucy warns you should never paint if it's hotter than 32C.
She explained: "When painting exteriors, and the temperature is 32C or above outside, then it's advised to wait until the weather is much cooler outside before you begin.
"Ideally, when painting exteriors, you want the temperature to be no more than 21C to avoid the risk of the paint drying too quickly and therefore not settling properly.
"The general rule is to not start painting if the surrounding temperature exceeds 32C.
"If you're unsure of whether or not you can paint, a simple rule would be if the surface you wish to paint is warm to the touch, then it is too warm to paint.
"To avoid the risk of your paint drying too quickly and causing any damage, we'd always recommend you refrain from painting if you know there is going to be a heatwave."