Figuring out how long to wait between coats of paint depends on several factors, like the type of paint used, its application, the temperature and humidity, and ventilation in the room. If youre rushing to finish your paint job in one day with multiple coats, knowing the wait time between layers is essential.
Adding a Second Coat After your first coat of paint is dry, it’s safe to recoat typically after four to six hours. A good rule of thumb is to wait at least three hours to recoat your paint or primer if it’s water-based. Waiting 24 hours is best for oil-based paint and primer.
Temperature
Most water-based paints will optimally dry in a room at about 72 degrees F with average humidity. Oil-based paints will dry best in room temperatures above 50 degrees F but under 90 degrees.
Recoat Time for Water-Based Latex Paint
The average recoat time for water-based latex paint is four hours. Water-based paint should be dry to the touch in about one hour.
Paint binders hold the color pigments together. Flat paints have fewer binders than glossy paints. Binders in these formulations also translate into longer drying times.
The flatter the paint sheen, the faster it will dry. Glossy paints take the longest amount of time to dry. Eggshell and semi-gloss paints, since they are in the middle of the paint sheen scale, represent average paint drying times.
| Paint Types | Drying Time | Recoat Time |
| Flat or matte paint | 30 minutes to 1 hour | 1 to 2 hours |
| Eggshell paint | 1 hour | 2 hours |
| Semi-gloss paint | 1 hour | 2 hours |
| Glossy paint | 1 to 1-1/2 hours | 2 to 2-1/2 hours |
| Primer | 30 minutes | 1 hour |
How long should you wait between coats of paint
FAQ
What happens if you recoat enamel paint too soon?
How long to let enamel paint dry before second coat?
Does enamel paint need two coats?
What happens if you don t wait 2 hours between coats of paint?
How long does enamel paint take to dry?
There are two types of enamel paint: oil-based and water-based. Oil-based enamel paint is made with a solvent that evaporates as the paint dries. This type of paint takes around 6 hours to dry between coats and 48 hours to cure (fully dry). On the other hand, water-based enamel paint uses acrylic latex resins as the binder and water as the solvent.
How long does a second coat of paint take to dry?
It is typically safe to apply a second coat after four hours for latex paint and 24 hours for oil-based paint. Latex paint is dry to the touch in about one hour, while oil-based paint is dry to the touch in about six to eight hours. One of the surest ways to ruin paint is to apply subsequent coats before paint recoat times have elapsed.
How long should you wait for paint to dry?
For water-based paints, aim to wait at least 4 hours, or ideally 8 to 12 hour s, between coats. Some paint can labels might recommend recoating after two hours, but it’s always best to err on the side of caution and extend the dry time for ideal results.
How do you know if enamel paint is dry?
If it does, then the paint is not fully dry yet. If there is no imprint, then the paint has dried and cured properly. Another method is the “second coat” test. If you are applying a second coat of enamel paint, it is important to wait for the first coat to dry completely before applying the second.