Homeowners frequently ask that when painting their homes, how long does it take for the paint they applied on the exterior to dry? Drying time will help determine how much success your painting project will achieve, and it is definitely one of the considerations when scheduling your painting project. This article will give you information on various items that affect the drying time of exterior paint and tips that will help you make your paint job long-lasting.
Factors Affecting Drying Time
1. Type of Paint
There are different types of exterior paints, and each type has unique characteristics regarding drying times. Oil-based paint, water-based paint, acrylic latex paint, and other exterior paints are a few of the categories of exterior paint.
a) Oil-Based Paints
It is common knowledge that oil-based paint’s general drying time is slower than water-based and acrylic-latex paints. An inadequate drying period of oil-based paint may take four to six hours when the temperature is between 70 to 75 degrees F, but can take as long as 16 hours if the temperature is low. It may take about 30 days to get a complete cure.
b) Water-Based Paints
Water-based paints tend to dry marginally quicker than oil-based paints. Typical dry time can be within two to four hours under favorable conditions and up to 24 hrs under colder conditions. After application, it usually takes about 7 days to properly cure or harden.
c) Acrylic-Latex Paints
When discussing the drying time as well as the durability of the paint, acrylic-latex paints are the best. They usually take half an hour to two hours under the best temperatures and up to about 8 hours under less favorable temperatures. Acrylic-latex paints tend to harden fully within three to four days.
2. Weather Conditions
Environmental factors on the day you decide to paint your exterior surfaces will influence the drying time of your paint.
Here are some factors that can impact the drying time:
a) Temperature
Dry time depends on the air’s general temperature and the surface on which you are painting. Higher temperatures will dry faster than low temperatures on the surface being treated. Before proceeding with the painting project, make sure you check the weather and temperatures for the best outcome.
b) Humidity
It is similarly noteworthy that high levels of humidity will be an influencing factor with painting an exterior because the humidity will disallow the proper evaporation process due to too much moisture in the air. Make sure you check the humidity before painting outside, as the surface will take a much longer time to dry, and thus the paint may not dry properly and may affect the finish you desire.
c) Wind
The effect of wind is that it can cause uneven drying on the surface. You should not paint when it is too windy because it may result in a poor and less durable painting job. Keep in mind that debris blowing around in the wind could adhere to the surface you are painting and the finish and quality of the paint job could be compromised.
3. Surface Preparation
Surface preparation is a crucial aspect of painting your home exterior; therefore, you should take your time. Irregular or inadequately textured surfaces will influence drying time and the outcome of the paintwork. Make sure that no dirt, dust, or debris remains on the exterior surfaces that you will paint, as it could impede the paint from drying properly.
4. Paint Application
The drying time of the paint is also dependent on workmanship. Painting in thin coats or using a paint sprayer will allow paint to dry more quickly, whereas painting in thicker coats with brushes will take longer. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions related to the nature of the paint you want to apply and the method you use.
How to Speed Up Drying Time
Since you cannot alter the weather conditions when painting, there are several things you can do to make your exterior paint dry faster.
1. Use a Fast-Drying Paint
When painting outside areas, pick a paint that dries fast. Acrylic-latex paints are preferred most of the time, as they offer the right combination of drying time and durability.
2. Paint During Favorable Conditions
When painting, check whether the exterior surfaces and the surrounding air are at a favorable temperature. Most instructions list a minimum temperature needed for painting. The paint will dry faster and will perform at its best when noting the air temperature.
3. Control Humidity Levels
Paint on a day when humidity is low so that drying will take less time. Consider putting off your painting project if you have several days calling for high humidity problem.
4. Use a Paint Additive
Faster-drying additives for exterior paint are also available. These additives help pull the moisture content from the paint so it dries more rapidly. Nevertheless, make sure you read through the manufacturer’s instructions when using and applying the product to do so correctly.
