Want to freshen up your home? Nothing does it better than a fresh coat of paint. The easiest and budget friendly way to spruce up your space. The best part is that you can do it on your own without hiring a professional painter in Dubai. But if you are looking for perfection then you might still lack the knowledge that a professional painter has. If you are looking for a DIY home painting project then you should know about how long does it take for paint to dry and cure. How long you should wait between each coat and when would be the right time to move your furniture back against the wall. First lets learn what is the difference between drying and curing.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DRYING AND CURING
We will try to put it as simple as possible. Drying of a paint is when you are done with a paint job and after several hours you touch the wall with your hand and the color doesn’t stick to your fingers or feel wet. This is due to the evaporation of solvents inside the paint. Usually, it takes between one to eight hours for the paint to dry and be ready for a second coat.
Now even after drying, the paint is still fragile as the pigment left behind, after the evaporation of solvent, is still soft. When the material reaches its maximum hardness and is no longer fragile or prone to denting, this is called curing. Typically, it takes about a month for the paint to cure completely. Curing varies significantly with different types of paints and finishes.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR WATER-BASED PAINTS TO DRY AND CURE?
Water based paints are quicker to dry in comparison to oil based paints. They are dry to touch within a few hours but take much longer to cure. Since water in the latex paints evaporates faster than other solvents. In water based paints drying time can vary depending on the type of paint (like matte paint and glossy paint) and also by brand.
Here is a simple breakdown for how long does it take for water based paints to dry:
| Type of Paint/ Finish | Paint Drying Time |
| Primer | 30 minutes |
| Matte paint | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
| Satin paint | 1 hour |
| Semi-gloss paint | 1 hour |
| High-gloss paint | 1 to 1.5 hours |
Curing for water based paints depend on a number of factors like color, quality of paint, atmospheric conditions, ventilation and other variables. In general it usually take about 30 to 60 days for latex paints to cure.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR OIL-BASED PAINT TO DRY AND CURE?
Oil based paints take really long to dry but they have a much shorter curing time. The reason is that the formula for oil based paints does not include water. This increases the drying time. In general, oil-based paints take about 6 to 8 hours to dry. This means that you have to wait a significant amount of time before applying a second coat. On the plus side, the curing time for oil-based paint ranges between 3 and 7 days. After which the paint reaches its maximum hardness and becomes extremely durable.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE PAINT DRYING TIME
You should also know about the factors that may affect the curing and drying time for different types of paints.
HUMIDITY
If you live in high humidity region then it is recommended to wait for the dry weather to paint your home. Since high levels of humidity in the air can prolong the paint drying time. The moisture in the atmosphere doesn’t allow the water in the paint to evaporate as quickly.
TEMPERATURE
Temperature has a huge impact on drying time for paints. The paint will take much longer in a cold environment to dry and cure. On the other hand a higher temperature will dry out the top layer leaving the bottom layer moist, which usually results in walls looking uneven.
VENTILATION
Providing proper ventilation is the best thing you can do for a new paint job. In a well-ventilated room paint dry quicker and also it is a great way to get rid of paint fumes in your home. So, when going for painting your home, make sure to open up those windows and turn on the fan to help improve the evaporation process.
HiTech FM is one of the top MEP Companies in Dubai & ElectroMechancial Companies in Dubai offering services such as Electrical Services in Dubai, Plumbing Services in Dubai, Painting Services in Dubai, Commercial HVAC Preventive Maintenance, , AC duct cleaning Dubai, AC repair services in Dubai, , handyman services, Annual Maintenance Contracts and many more. With strict adherence to international standards we deliver professional and high-quality services. At HiTech FM, a home maintenance company in Dubai we make lives easier. If you are facing any of the above issues feel free to contact us. We are just a call away – Call Us +971 50 22 33 864.