“Is it dry yet?” is one of the questions painters hear most. The honest answer is that it depends on the paint, the surface and the weather, and that paint goes through a few stages before it is truly hard.
Three stages of drying
- Touch-dry: the surface no longer feels tacky. For many water-based wall paints this takes about one to two hours.
- Ready to recoat: the coat is dry enough for the next one, often a few hours for water-based paints and much longer for oil-based paints. The tin gives the recoat time for that product.
- Fully cured: the paint has reached its full hardness. This can take from several days to a few weeks.
What slows drying down
- Cold rooms and cold, damp weather outside.
- High humidity, for example in bathrooms or on rainy days.
- Thick coats: two thin coats dry better than one heavy one.
- Poor air flow: open a window or use a fan if the product allows it.
Looking after fresh paint
- Wait until the paint is dry before putting furniture back against the walls.
- Leave doors and windows slightly open when gloss is drying so they do not stick.
- Do not hang pictures or put tape on new paint for at least a few days.
- Clean gently with a soft, damp cloth for the first couple of weeks.
Always check the drying and recoat times on the tin or the manufacturer’s data sheet, because they vary from product to product. If you are not sure, ask your painter which paint they used and when it will be safe to use the room as normal.