You’ve moved and covered all of your furniture. You have your foam rollers and painter’s tape ready. You’re excited to transform your home’s interior with a new paint color. Before you add that first coat, a thought pops up: how long should you wait between coats of paint?
With all of the excitement of your new interior painting project, you may still need to allocate paint drying time into your plans. While it is entirely possible to paint a room on a weekend, knowing how long you should wait between coats of paint to ensure a beautiful, smooth, and professional-looking outcome is important.
Depending on the type of paint you use, you could be waiting an entire day before adding another coat of paint to your walls. Doing so before the paint is dry enough for a recoat could end in disaster.
Painting is a science often best handled by professionals like VanDerKolk Painting to guarantee a perfect project outcome every time. If you choose to DIY, this article will help guide you on how long you should wait between coats of paint and other insightful tips for a smooth and beautiful paint job.
Wait Times Between Paint Coats
The wait time between coats of paint will depend on the type of paint you are using. Some paints take longer to dry than others.
Oil-Based Paint - When using oil-based paint, you should wait at least 24 hours before adding a second coat of paint.
Water-Based Latex Paint - When using water-based latex paint, you should wait at least 4 hours before adding another coat of paint.
While the paint should feel dry to the touch after a few hours, it does not mean that it is ready for a second coat just yet.
The Difference Between Dry, Recoat, and Cure Times
When reading the instructions on your paint cans, you may notice three different terms: dry time, recoat time, and cure time. Understanding the differences between these times is crucial to avoid adding a second coat of paint too soon.
Dry Time - the time for the paint to feel dry to the touch; usually between 1 and 6 hours, depending on the paint
Recoat Time - the time it takes for the paint to be ready for another coat; usually between 4 and 24 hours, depending on the paint
Cure Time - the time it takes for the paint to harden completely and is safe to wash or touch without damage; usually a couple of weeks
When planning to paint multiple coats on your walls, pay attention to the recoat time.
What Happens if You Paint a Second Coat Too Soon?
It’s easy to feel impatient when waiting for your paint to dry enough for a second coat. However, adding another coat before the recoat time is up can end with your paint peeling, bubbling, clumping, and even flaking off when it is dried.
You may also experience uneven coloring in certain wall spots if you paint a second coat too soon.
How Many Coats of Paint Do You Need?
When painting the interior of your home, you should add at least two coats of paint on top of one coat of primer for the best, most vibrant color outcome.
Professional painters, like VanDerKolk Painting, recommend using at least two coats but sometimes suggest three depending on the color and thickness of the paint.
How Long Should You Wait to Paint Over Primer?
We’ve talked about how long you should wait between coats of paint, but how long should you wait before painting over your primer layer?
It’s recommended to wait at least 24 hours before adding a coat of paint over your primer. Painting over it soon could cause your paint to adhere to the wall improperly, flaking and peeling.
What Factors Affect Paint Dry Time?
If you’re on a crunched timeline for your interior painting project, a few factors could speed up or slow down your paint’s dry and recoat times for you to consider.
Temperature
The time of year and the temperature of your home can affect paint dry times.
Oil-based paint dries best in temperatures between 40 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, making it ideal for year-round projects.
Water-based latex paint dries best in temperatures between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Ventilation
The airflow in the room you’re painting can also significantly impact the paint’s dry time. If possible, keep windows open or use fans for ventilation to speed up the dry time.
Humidity
High humidity can delay the drying time of your paint due to the moisture in the air. If you live in a humid environment or are experiencing high humidity during your project, use a dehumidifier in the room.
When painting, it’s best to have an environment with no more than 50% humidity.
What Happens if it Rains Between Coats of Paint?
While painting is a science, it’s also about timing. Before starting your interior painting project, check the weather to ensure the humidity is low, the temperature is ideal, and you don’t expect rain or snow.
If it rains between coats of paint, the increase in humidity could result in poor paint adhesion, bubbling, and even flaking off walls once it’s dried. Weather challenges can be difficult for DIYers. One of the benefits of hiring a professional painting company is that professionals have experience painting in unfavorable weather conditions and have the equipment and skill to easily overcome weather-based hurdles.
Save Time & Work With The Painting Professionals At VanDerKolk
Depending on the paint you use, you could wait up to 24 hours before adding a second coat of paint. Adding another coat before the paint is ready could end up bubbling or peeling - all that hard work has gone to waste!
You don’t have to spend your valuable time applying paint and waiting for it to dry. VanDerKolk Painting is West Michigan’s leading professional painting company. We can handle painting projects of any size for any type of home. Our team also possesses a wealth of experience painting historical homes.
Our painting experts are ready to listen to your ideas, make suggestions, and draw up a timeline that perfectly matches your schedule and allocates enough recoating dry time for your paint. Request a free estimate for your interior painting project to get started with VanDerKolk Painting’s professional services today!
