Is it ever too hot to paint the exterior of the house, or a fence?

Summer is far and away the best time to do those painting jobs around the house, but these extra-hot days do present a few challenges.

But the heat is mostly a problem for the person painting, rather than the paint: “I think often the paint can withstand it longer than the humans can,” says Karen Warman of Resene.

However, there is a ideal climate for painting, and it’s not these days when the thermometer gets up towards 30 degrees or more. Resene says the best conditions for painting are when the temperature is between 15 and 20 degrees, the humidity is between 70 and 80 per cent, and there is a light breeze.

For most us, though, we have a set time when we can paint – and it may be this weekend.

We just need to be aware that painting in very hot conditions will result in water evaporating out of the paint very quickly, and as a result the paint will thicken up and be very difficult to apply evenly.

It will be difficult to keep a wet edge and brush or roller marks will not flow out. Paint brushes will tend to clog up and cans of paint can skin over quite rapidly.

The tech experts at Resene say if paint is applied under conditions that force it to dry too quickly, it will be impossible for the paint to form a good, durable film even though the paint may look fine. The good news is there is a hot weather additive you can apply to the paint to help avoid this.

Here are a few more tips that will help you get the job done without collapsing from sunstroke:

• Start early before it gets too hot.
• Take regular short breaks and make sure you drink plenty of water. When you’re having a break, wrap your brush or roller in cling wrap to keep the paint moist. It saves you washing it out. You can also do this overnight.
• Be sun smart – wear sun protection and sunscreen. It is often easier to wear a light, long-sleeved top than to remember to keep putting on suntan lotion. Avoid getting suntan lotion on surfaces as it can cause permanent damage. (This includes cars – we’ve all seen those handprints that can’t be wiped off the outside of the car.)
• If possible, work on the shaded side of a house. Time your painting so this is achievable. Or if you are doing a smaller job, such as painting furniture, consider using a gazebo or painting out of the sun in the garage.
• Keep the main paint pot out of the sun. It’s best to pour what you need to use into a separate paint pot and paint from there. That keeps the original can of paint in good condition and also means it stays cool.
• Avoid painting a corrugated iron roof in a dark colour on a very hot day.
• If it gets too hot to paint outside, start prepping that next interior job.

– This originally appeared on Stuff