Have you ever heard the expression “I would rather watch paint dry,” which people often use if they don’t want to do something? The question is, do people know how long that alternative will be? How long will it take you to watch paint dry? Well, an hour minimum and up to eight hours maximum seem to be the consensus!
In an ideal painting environment, 40-70% humidity and a 50-85-degrees Fahrenheit temperature, it will take latex paint approximately 1-2 hours to dry. Oil-based paints typically have a drying time of 6-8 hours. A second coat can be applied after 4-hours (latex) and 24-hours (oil-base).
Humidity and temperature will also have a big effect on the drying time of exterior paints. Painting in the winter months is a definite no-no, while painting in the hot summer months can also have a negative effect on how your paint cures. This article will discuss how long it takes for exterior paints to dry, cure, and other factors that play a part in the process.
How Long Does Exterior Paint Take To Dry?
The drying times of latex and oil-based paints will take a few hours. However, for the paints to properly cure will take days and weeks.
When exterior paints are drying, it involves evaporating water and solvents, ultimately leaving pigment and other compounds to bind together and harden. Exterior paint will be considered dry when it is dry to the touch (no longer feeling tacky or sticky), usually when enough solvents have evaporated.
- It is vitally important to note that it has not fully cured even when the paint is dry. Curing of exterior paints happens days and weeks after the last coat of paint has been applied. Paint will be cured when all the evaporable solvents have evaporated, reaching their maximum hardness.
- Most exterior painters tend to opt for latex exterior paint as it dries faster than oil-based paints, allowing the painting project to be completed sooner and also that it is much easier to clean.
- Latex paints are easily cleaned off with water, while oil-based paints require you to use a thinner/turpentine to clean paint from surfaces and brushes.
When your exterior paint has not fully cured, it should be handled with care. No wiping or washing during this stage as the paint could still possibly react to water and cleaning chemicals. A good hint is to not put pressure on the curing paint (do not put any force on curing paint) as it will leave indentations that can’t be rubbed out.
Typical Dry Times For Exterior Paints:
| Type Of Paint | Dry Time | Cure Time | Second Coat | Temperature |
| Latex Paint | 1-2 Hours | 21-30 Days | 4-Hours | 50-85 Degrees Fahrenheit |
| Oil-Based Paint | 6-8 Hours | 3-7 Days | 24-Hours | 40-90 Degrees Fahrenheit |
| Water-Based Enamel | 1-2 Hours | 21-30 Days | 4-Hours | 50-85 Degrees Fahrenheit |
| Oil-Based Enamel | 8-24 Hours | 3-7 Days | 24-Hours | 40-90 Degrees Fahrenheit |
| Aluminum Paint | 1-2 Hours | 24-Hours | 2-Hours | 50-85 Degrees Fahrenheit |
| Cement Paint | 4-6 Hours | N/A | 24-Hours | 50-85 Degrees Fahrenheit |
The best and most sound advice regarding exterior paint’s drying times is to follow the instructions on the paint can. Paint manufacturers have drying times down to an art. The above table is general drying times only.
Factors That Affect Exterior Paint’s Drying Time?
The above table gives us an idea of how long different types of exterior paints take to dry. Oil-based paints take longer to dry compared to latex paints. On the other hand, latex paints take longer to cure than oil-based paints. Let us discuss other factors that may influence the drying times of these popular paints and see what affects them most.
Temperature
When it comes to colder temperature indicators, both latex and oil-based paints are affected by it.
Latex:
- When exposed to temperatures below 50-degrees Fahrenheit, it becomes highly susceptible to freezing. (Difficult to apply the paint smoothly and achieve a consistent color.)
- When exposed to temperatures higher than 85-degrees Fahrenheit, this type of paint tends to dry out easily, compromising the adhesion process, and can typically form bubbles and blisters in the paint.
Oil-Based:
- When exposed to temperatures below 40-degrees Fahrenheit, it can become thicker in texture (Difficult to apply the paint smoothly and achieve a consistent color.)
For the best overall result, it is recommended that you paint when the temperature is 50-degrees Fahrenheit and not to paint when the temperature is higher than 90-degrees Fahrenheit.
Also, rather put the paintbrush away when temperatures are below 35-degrees Fahrenheit as the paint will not cure properly when exposed to these cold conditions. The dry time will be affected, making it wise to let a coat dry for 24-hours, when using any paint when you decide to paint in this type of cold weather.
Humidity
Moisture is an exterior painter’s enemy. When there is too much humidity in the air, it leads to water vapor forming on the freshly painted surface and can cause the following:
- Humidity makes it especially difficult for paint to adhere to any surface.
- Humidity causes paint to start bubbling and, at a later stage, to peel.
- Humidity causes wood to swell when it absorbs moisture from the air.
- Humidity leads to your paint leaching (brown/white discoloration) due to the paint’s protective film layer not developing due to moisture in the surrounding air.
When painting outside, the humidity level should ideally be in-between 40-70% to prevent the above scenarios from happening.
Paint Application
People think that applying one thick coat of paint is the best way, as it “covers” more and only one coat of paint is required to dry. A too thick coat will increase the dry time considerably, and the paint may dry in an uneven and slurry fashion.
Before you are considering going for one thick layer, consider the alternative of applying two thin coats that will dry faster and also cure better.
Conclusion
If you are looking for an exterior paint that is easy to apply, dries quickly, and cleans easily, then latex paints are for you. Most painting companies use this type of paint when doing big projects like houses. Latex paints do have a longer curing time than other paints, so you need to be extra careful not to damage the surface for, let’s say, 30 days after completion.
Oil-based paints have excellent adhesion properties, especially on chalked surfaces, and have a longer drying time than latex paints, but cures quicker. Oil-based paints do well in areas with heavy traffic and are the best option when covering old oil-based paints.
Many DIY painters choose the quick-drying and easy application that is latex paints. If time is an issue, then latex paint will be the answer.
