Paints, Primers, Stains, and Coatings Dry Times and Longevity

Exterior Paints

Most latex and acrylic paints dry to touch in 20 to 30 minutes, ready to recoat in a couple of hours, fully dry in 48 hours, and fully cured in up to 30 days. Alkyds, varnishes, stains and epoxies can vary by product type and brand, but, in general, are dry to touch in 6 to 12 hours and ready to recoat in 12 to 24 hours. An average life span for most products is 5 to 10 years.

Paints, Primers, and Coatings: Dry times and Life Expectancy – How long will it last?

Wood surfaces

5-10 years

Stucco

8-12 years

Vinyl siding

10 plus years (recoat for fading)

Decks and fences

2-3 years walked on surfaces and moisture-prone areas; 4-6 years other areas

Aluminium siding

8-12 years

Metal

4-6 years

Plastic and vinyl

10 plus years recoat for fading

100% Acrylic

TypeDry to TouchRecoatCureLife Expectancy*
WeatherGuard Flat30 minutesMin 4 hours14 days5-10 years
WeatherGuard Satin30 minutesMin 4 hours14 days5-10 years
WeatherGuard Semi-Gloss60 minutesMin 4 hours14 days5-10 years
Diamond Flat60 minutesMin 4 hours30 days5-10 years
Diamond Satin60 minutesMin 4 hours30 days5-10 years
Diamond Semi-Gloss60 minutesMin 4 hours30 days5-10 years
*Life expectancy can have significant variance depending on the condition of the structure, environment, and usage

Wood Stain

TypeDry to TouchRecoatCureLife Expectancy*
WoodPride Solid Colour water-based1 hour4-6 hours14 days5-10 years
WoodPride Solid Colour oil/acrylic4 hours24 hours14 days5-10 years
WoodPride Semi-transparent oil/acrylic2-4 hours10-20 minutes30 days2-4 years
Professional Wood Finishes Solid 100% Acrylic1 hour2-4 hours30 days5-10 years
Professional Wood Finishes Semi-Transparent Oil Finish24 hours10-20 minutes30 days2-4 years
*Life expectancy can have significant variance depending on the condition of the structure, environment, and usage

Primers

TypeDry to TouchRecoatCureLife Expectancy
Speedwall Drywall Primer30 minutesMin 4 hours30 daysNeeds finish
Gripper30 minutes1 hour14 daysNeeds finish
Weatherguard 100% Acrylic30 minutes1 hour7-10 daysNeeds finish
Xpert Waterbourne Alkyd Primer Sealer Wood Finishes Solid 100% Acrylic30 minutes2-3 hours14 daysNeeds finish
Odourless interior Stain Blocking30 minutes2 hours7-10 daysNeeds finish

Perma-crete Masonry products

TypeDry to TouchRecoatCureLife Expectancy*
High build 100% Acrylic1 hour4 hours30 days
High build Elastomeric 100% Acrylic1 hour24 hours30 days
Color Seal WB Concrete Stain30 minutes6 hours30 days
Plex-Seal Exterior Clear Sealer30 minutes2 hours30 days
*Life expectancy can have significant variance depending on the condition of the structure, environment, and usage

Interior Paints

How long does it take for paint, primer, and coatings to dry and how long do they last?

Most latex and acrylic paints are dry to touch in 20 to 30 minutes, are ready to recoat in a couple of hours, fully dry in 48 hours, and fully cured in up to 30 days. Alkyds, varnishes, stains and epoxies can vary by product, type, and brand; but, in general, are dry to touch 6 to 12 hours and ready to recoat in 12 to 24 hours. An average life span for most products is 5 to 10 years.

Walls

5-10 Years

Ceilings

8-12 years

Trim

5-10 years

Floors

4-6 years

Epoxy floors

8-12years

Metal

4-6 years

Plastic and vinyl

8-12years

Ceiling Walls and Trim

TypeDry to TouchRecoatCureLife Expectancy
Ceiling Paint1 Hour2 hours30 days3 to 5 years
Wall Paint1 Hour2 hours30 days3 to 5 years
Trim Paints1 Hour2 hours30 days3 to 5 years
Waterborne Alkyds2 Hours4 hours30 days3 to 5 years

Floor Paints

TypeDry to TouchRecoatCureLife Expectancy
Acrylic1 Hour*4 hours30 Days3 to 5 years
WB Epoxy1 Hour**8 hours7 Days5 to 7 years
Solvent Based Epoxy3 Hours***16 hours10 Days5 to 7 years
*Traffic – Light foot traffic 24 hrs; 7 days for normal use
**Traffic – Light foot traffic 18 hours; normal use 48 hours
***Traffic – Light traffic 24 hours; heavy traffic 48 hours

Stains and Varnishes

TypeDry to TouchRecoatCureLife Expectancy
Interior Stains alkyd12 Hours24 hours14 days5 to 7 years
Interior Stains acrylic1 Hour24 hours14 days5 to 7 years
Interior Varnish alkyd3 Hours6-24 hours14 days5 to 7 years
Interior Varnish acrylic3 Hours6-8 hours14 days5 to 7 years

Primers and Sealers

TypeDry to TouchRecoatCureLife Expectancy
Latex and Acrylic1/2 Hour2 hours30 DaysNeeds finish
Waterborne Alkyd1/2 Hour2-3 hours30 Days Needs finish
Kilz1/2 Hour1 hour8 hoursNeeds finish
BIN20 min45 min1-3 DaysNeeds finish

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