Fall in Arizona is always beautiful. The cooler temperatures with clear and sunny skies, it is the ideal season to spend time outdoors and it is also an excellent time to paint the exterior of your home. Luckily, pretty much any time year-round is good for exterior painting in Arizona, but the fall guarantees to have the right temperatures along with the perfect weather.

It is important to pay attention to local weather patterns. Usually it isn’t a big issue for exterior painting in Arizona, because of the amazing weather we see, but you still want to look ahead and plan accordingly. You want to make sure there is no rain in the forecast, with cool temperatures and low humidity.

It is best to avoid painting when the temperatures are below 50 degrees. Here in the desert, that usually doesn’t happen often during the day in Autumn. When it is cold out, it will take the paint longer to dry and you must always allow each coat to dry completely for the best results. It can still be pretty warm in Arizona during the fall months, so it just depends on the day. But we are starting to finally see the cooler temperatures. So, it is a good idea to start painting in the morning around 8am and end sometime in the early afternoon, before 2pm. Of course, this is different than the summertime when you need to start earlier in the day. Another difference between exterior painting in Arizona during the fall and summer months is the process. In the fall, start painting on the sunny side and follow the sun around while painting.

Besides the temperatures, also pay attention to the dew point. Avoid exterior painting in Arizona if the surface temperature is NOT at least 5 degrees higher than the dew point. The surface area of what you are painting needs to be dry and clean to avoid any water spotting to form, especially when using darker paint colors. Remember, the paint will only adhere to surface that is dry.

Of course, the quality is more important than the expense. The better-quality paint, the easier it is to maintain requiring fewer touch ups and it looks better. Especially with all of the improved technology when it comes to painting so many of the colors are going to last longer. You really do get what you pay for when it comes to paint, so if you are going to go with a cheaper paint, be prepared for a less than great job along with needing more care and touch ups.

Remember to prep your landscape around the paint area. You don’t want to ruin your yard while improving it. Painting can be messy, so cover the surrounding ground along with nearby vegetation and bushes. Also, move or cover any outdoor décor, furniture, grills or even hoses. If you are going to be doing some exterior painting in Arizona near a pool or water feature, take extra precaution protecting these things from any paint. This is another reason why fall is a good time to update your home’s paint, you can get it done before putting out all of the Christmas décor!

If you are hiring a professional residential painter to get the job done or doing it yourself, you need to keep these things in mind. If you don’t feel like conquering this project alone, give East Valley Painters a call for a free estimate at!