Paint and humidity

[nadams]

I have just painted my headlight cans and going to start on the grill when I decided to read the instructions on the can of paint. I never read the instruction first. They say the humidity must be under 80% and I thought no problem. I was looking at my weather on the computer and the humidity is 87%. Should I sandblast the paint and primer off and start over or should it be fine? This is my first experience with painting a vehicle myself. The last paint job on my old truck was a drop off and pick up a painted rig.

[hardtailjohn]

It'll be fine Nathan.... as long as it looks good, and you're happy, it's ok.
John

[1971fordcustom]

Its fine! Ever time my friend woud paint on my truck or the parts he woud make sure it was raining! and he woud spray watter in the shop to keep the dust down.
When its raining out theres not as much bugs flying so thats a good time to paint. Be for you know it you woud have flys any ever other thing in your paint job.

[seattle67]

Nathan,
Johns right, odds are it will be fine.

Its always a good idea to try and paint within the parameters of the paint manufacturer as much as possible, but painting outside the specifications doesn't guarantee failure.

A big thing to avoid is a difference in ambient temperature and the surface temperature of the item you are painting. Depending on the temperature spread, condensation can form on the surface you want to paint. The higher the humidity, the less the temperature spread needs to be for bad things to happen. Have you ever been in an air conditioned room and stepped outside on a hot day and your glasses fogged up? Same idea, you don't want to paint on a surface that has dew on it.

Anyway, don't feel the need to repaint just because your environmentals were not perfect. You will be able to tell there is a problem if the paint remains soft or doesn't seem to adhere well. If that happens, then its time for a do over.

[nadams]

I have brought the cans in from the garage. They look OK for having someone with no experience painting them. I will let you know if how it comes out.

[19674x4]

itl be fine. but not for body work. just had my jeep painted today and we kept the booth at about .05%

[basketcase0302]

Natham,

I agree with everybody above too.
Lived in South Florida for some 24 years, (we would never be at the desired humidity for painting)!
When it's raining nowhere else in the world...it's raining in South Florida!

The humidity will usually add to the "cure time" is something I learned a long time ago.

Basketcase