Before applying paint, there are a few things you should know, including how long exterior paint takes to dry. It makes the job very easy. But it cannot always be answered. But we think that this is an important need and we will try to explain it to you.
However, artisans give different answers to this, but here we have tried to explain to you that your answer depends on the type of paint you are using. [su_note]Generally, water-based paint takes about 45 minutes to an hour to dry. And on the other hand, for oil-based paint, the drying time is 6 to 8 hours. Let us also tell you that several environmental factors can affect the overall drying time. Factors include humidity, rainy season, temperature, sunlight, and others.[/su_note]
So, if you are about to get an exterior painting project, it’s best that you check out and read the complete guide that we have provided below. We hope, this will help you in choosing the perfect paint.
What is the Difference Between Dry Time and Cure Time?
Well, there is a subtle difference between dry time and curing time. You may think that these two are the same, but they are not the same.
Cure time is the next stage of dry time. Dry time basically refers to the length of time that is required between two coats of paint application. People also call it to recoup time. Moreover, you can easily consider the paint drying on your exterior when the solvent evaporates from the paint coating.
Also, you can feel the paint when it feels dry to the touch by rubbing the paint with your hand. But you can’t assume that the paint is 100% dry. Therefore, paint treatment is essential.
Again, curing time helps confirm the daily use of your paint project. Once you manage to get the proper treatment time without interruption, you will also get the perfect finish.
If the paint you applied doesn’t heal, you can’t consider the job. Moreover, the dry time of the paint can be from a few hours to several hours. But the treatment time may take more than 30 days.
You can predict when the paint coating will cure, but you have to see when it reaches its maximum hardness. Only then can you think the paint is 100% dry. Therefore, the curing time is also highly dependent on the environment and its climatic conditions such as sunlight.
How Long Does it Take for Exterior Paint to Dry?
Well, we’ve already mentioned that exterior paint sometimes takes time to dry, so the exterior paint time depends on several environmental factors. These factors mainly determine the actual drying time. Thus, let us know the factors.
Humidity
Humidity comes with temperature. You have to see that these two factors are interrelated. High humidity is enough to ruin your exterior paint job.
If the humidity in your area is more than forty percent, it is better not to start painting outdoors. More than this amount of moisture will not allow the paint to dry in time, which will damage your paint.
This is simply because the ambient air cannot absorb more moisture from the paint due to the high humidity. Therefore, the paint stays wet for a long time without drying.
Therefore, it is important to check the humidity. Humidity below 50% will speed up the drying process.
Temperature
The temperature of your home’s exterior is the most important factor that affects the drying time of exterior paint. Warmer temperatures help the paint dry faster while cooler temperatures slow down the drying process.
Again, very hot temperatures may not produce the best results in paint. Therefore, there is a certain temperature range that must be ensured for proper paint drying. If the temperature drops below 30 degrees, it will take a long time to dry and that is definitely a problem.
Then temperatures above seventy degrees will present you with another problem. Too much heat will cause the paint to dry too quickly without allowing your paint ingredients to form a strong bond with the surface.
As a result, you may find spots as well as cracks all over the paint job. Thus, the correct temperature for drying exterior paint is between forty and seventy degrees. So, before applying exterior paint, make sure the environment is offering the right temperature.
Sunlight
Sunlight, whether direct or indirect, is an important factor as it affects the drying time of exterior paint. Direct sunlight heats the surface where you have applied the exterior paint. So, it is definitely going to speed up the duration of the drying period significantly.
In addition, studies have shown that sunlight’s ultraviolet rays help paint components form a stronger bond with the wall surface.
Wind
Wind speed also plays a role in determining the drying time of exterior paint. Light air or hot air can speed up the drying process. But imagine a cool and strong wind blowing! This can ruin the paint job by creating ripples on the surface. You have to watch the weather where you want to apply the paint and the timing can be adjusted.
Additionally, strong winds can carry dust and debris with it and stick to exterior paint. This is definitely an undesirable situation.
However, dry time also depends largely on the type of paint you’re using. Some paints dry quickly while others take longer. This is because different types of paint contain different drying ingredients and chemical elements. Let’s also discuss which paints are available in the market.
Latex-Based Paint:
We’ve seen many painters out there choose latex paint over oil-based paints. The only reason behind this is its quick drying properties which dry in any weather. Because just one coat of paint is not enough for any painting job, you have to be careful, waiting about three to five hours before applying another layer of latex paint.
However, if it is used in a room indoors, the paint is able to boast dry-to-the-touch properties within one to three hours. But in the case of external application, it may take around 4 to 8 hours. Again, you must ensure that complete drying is achieved before applying the second or third coat.
Therefore, our own experience and professionals recommend that you leave the exterior latex paint for about 24 hours before applying another coat.
Oil-Based Paint:
On the other hand, oil-based paints take more time than water-based paints. This is because the thickness is another factor that affects drying time, if you apply thicker paint it takes longer. Also, there are different types of paint that offer different coat thicknesses after application.
Similarly, there are oil-based paints that come with a thick consistency. Hence, oil paints also require more time to dry. Hence, it acquires drying properties within 10 to 12 hours or perhaps more.
Therefore, you may need to leave the previous coating for at least 24 hours before recoating. Again, depending on your outdoor weather and environmental conditions, the weather may be longer in duration.
Again, there are some other types of exterior paint such as chalk paint, spray paint, and others. These paints also offer different durations. However, among all, spray paint is arguably the fastest-drying first paint that is good for exterior use. Spray paint can dry within 10 to 15 minutes after application.
However, if the surface where you are applying the spray paint comes with glass or plastic or rubber properties, it will take a long time to dry and the adhesives will not have the strength to absorb into them. Again, chalk paints are suitable for furniture interiors that dry quickly. And chalk paint takes about 30 minutes to dry to the touch and about a day to properly cure.
How Long Does Exterior Paint to Dry before Rain?
Well, first of all, you should never make this mistake. Rainy weather is not very suitable for painting outside. So, if you plan to paint the exterior of your home, you better read this week’s weather forecast.
Therefore, rainy weather will never allow your exterior paint to properly cure. So make sure you can stay in dry weather for at least a week or 4 to 5 consecutive days before you can paint the exterior.
Also, depending on the type of paint you use you will need to ensure a day or 24 hours without rain.
How Long Does Exterior Paint to Dry before Second Coat?
So, it also depends on the application process and the surface you are applying the paint on. You can apply a thin coat of paint on a smooth or semi-smooth wall using a paint roller, preferably using a roller.
In the case of a thin layer of roller paint, it will take about forty to ninety minutes to dry. When the first coat dries, it is better to wait a little longer and not immediately go for the second coat.
For best results with your water-based paints, wait for another four to six hours for the previous coat to dry before applying another coat. This duration goes for almost all exterior types of paint, not interior ones.
However, what is better for oil-based paint, for best results, let the first coat rest for two days and then apply a second coat. Moreover, you can also follow the instructions written on the paint label to get a better idea from there you will get better guidance.
How Long Does it Take for Exterior Paint to Dry on Wood?
Therefore, drying time also varies depending on the surface material you will be painting on. You can easily paint on any material such as glass, wood, rubber, concrete, plastic, steel or anything you like. However, different surfaces take different drying times, such as the corner of a table.
Fortunately, compared to other materials, exterior paint takes less time to dry on the wood surface than it does on the interior of the wood. However, the duration depends mainly on how porous the surface material is. A more porous surface will allow the paint to dry faster and absorb more, which speeds up the drying process.
However, wood surfaces are also porous. So, when you apply exterior paint to a piece of wood, the pores and cracks act to draw water from the paint, and the latter is quickly absorbed. This process speeds up the overall paint drying time. Thus, wood surface takes less time.
However, if you want to use exterior paint on a wooden surface, it may take longer, but depending on the type of paint, it may take anywhere from one to eight hours.
Read Next: You Know How Long Chalk Paint Takes To Dry?
How to Dry Exterior Paint Faster?
So, by keeping a few tips in your head, how can you dry exterior paint faster. Let’s get to know them.
Ensure Proper Temperature and Humidity
This is the first and most important thing to ensure because environmental factors play a huge role in this fact.
First, plan your painting on a date when the temperature is between forty and ninety degrees Fahrenheit.
Also, make sure that the daytime humidity does not exceed forty percent. Otherwise, the paint would be less likely to dry out, which would cause the paint to peel. Thus, go for painting on less favorable days.
Enable Ventilation
Although there are certain things you should know if you are painting outdoors, the wind and ventilation system of the place may not be that good. Therefore, you have to enable proper ventilation and wind. If the day isn’t offering you a light breeze, try a cordless fan that blows the air for better air circulation.
For smaller projects, many people use a suitable appliance such as a hair dryer to dry exterior paint quickly.
Wait before Applying Second Coat
So, you can’t just rush the process. Paint at your leisure which will give you the best results, rushing when applying paint to a surface will not give you the best results. However, it is more important that you maintain a little patience between each coat application. Never think about applying a second coat without the paint being dry enough to touch up the first coat.
Apply Light and Even Paint Coat
Dry Fast This is another way to dry exterior paint quickly. Lighter coats of paint take less time to dry and even layers usually take less time to dry than thicker paint coatings. Applying a thick coat of paint will slow down the drying process and prevent you from applying another coat. Thus, it will keep delaying the entire process.
Final Words
However, we’ve done our best, so now that you know the approximate drying time for exterior paint, you should consider the factors that affect paint drying time as well.
Always, keep in mind that if you adopt the right type of paint you can get the best result and choose the right day for the job and follow the right process, you will get the best finish.
Again, if you feel that this task is difficult and you are not able to do it, you can also leave the job to a professional who can easily do it. But by following the proper guidelines for drying and curing time, recoating, and everything else, we’re sure you can do anything with ease!