How Long to Wait Between Coats of Paint: A Complete Guide
Go run some errands while your paint coat dries—you have a few hours
Taking care with each step of your home painting project makes all the difference in how the results turn out—and how long your paint lasts. If you’re wondering how long to wait between coats of paint, you’re in the right place.
Most paint needs at least 4 hours between coats, but waiting 8 hours or overnight is even better. Here's a breakdown of how long to wait based on paint type, room conditions, and other need-to-know factors.
Paint Drying Factors
There’s no one right answer to how long pain needs to dry. It depends on the following factors:
Paint type
Number of coats
Kind of surface
Temperature and conditions
Application method
Type of Paint
The type of paint you apply makes a major difference regarding the time it takes to dry and be ready for additional coats. Oil-based paints and primers take approximately 24 hours to dry, and you can typically recoat it immediately afterward, regardless of the sheen level. However, you should refer to the product’s directions for additional specifics.
Latex- or water-based paint drying times vary slightly between paint sheens. Fewer binders, which hold paint pigments together, are present in paints with lower-gloss sheens, affecting the total drying and curing times. Flat or matte paints and primers dry fastest, while paints with higher gloss require a longer drying time before applying the second coat.
First vs. Second Coat
Most painting projects require two paint coats or more to complete a deep, finished look. The first coat must dry for at least 4 hours before applying the second coat, depending on the paint type and sheen. The second coat will become dry to the touch in a similar timeframe. However, the final coat will need up to one month to fully cure. If third and subsequent paint coats are necessary, wait for the last coat to dry for at least as long as the first coat before proceeding with the next.
Type of Project
It’s no surprise that drying times between paint coats varies between painting a wall vs. painting furniture. The type of painting project affects paint drying times because of variables in paint types and the working environment. Glossy paints, like ones common for painting trim work or cabinets, take longer to dry than flat sheens like typical ceiling paints.
Exterior painting or painting an area exposed to high or low temperatures or humidity levels will also vary drying times, regardless of the paint's type and sheen.
Room Conditions and Temperature
The room’s temperature, humidity, and circulation impact how long your paint takes to dry. Here are a few guidelines:
Tackle interior painting when the temperature is between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but ideally 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you paint when it’s below 50 degrees, it will take much longer to dry. It could take at least 24 hours, even with water-based, latex, and acrylic paints.
If you paint when it’s above 80 degrees, it can dry too fast, such as before you can even roll it out smoothly.
If there’s a high humidity level, paint can take longer to dry because of the moisture in the air.
Application
Whether you opt for roll-on painting, spray-method painting, or a good old-fashioned paintbrush, there’s no denying that how you apply your paint will affect its drying time. Let’s take a closer look at these two application methods.
Roll-On Method
The thinner your coat of paint, the less time it takes to dry. So if you’re interested in leaning toward the shorter dry-time windows, you should apply your interior paint using a paint roller.
Paint Brush Method
Conversely, thicker coats of paint equal longer drying times. If you have the patience for it, and time is on your side, you can go ahead and grab a paintbrush to apply your interior paint. Just remember that it’ll be on the longer drying side. Don’t forget to use the correct brush for your task and surface, plus condition the brushes afterward to ensure they last as long as possible.
Spray Method
Spray painting provides the choice to create thin or thick coats of paint—it all depends on how slowly you hover over the sections you’re painting. The more paint you spray onto the surface, the thicker the coat. And as mentioned above, thick coats mean longer drying time. On the other hand, you can spray a thin layer of paint, and it’ll be dry to the touch and ready for another coat in a shorter amount of time.
Paint Dry Times by Paint Type
When it comes to interior paint, you have several choices, each with its own recommended drying time. Find interior painters near you who can recommend the best paint type and color for your renovation project.
| Type of Paint | Time to Wait |
|---|---|
| Primer | Three to 24 hours |
| Water-Based | Four to 12 hours |
| Latex | Four to 12 hours |
| Acrylic | Four to 12 hours |
| Oil-Based | At least 24 hours |
Primer
Applying paint primer to your wall or surface prior to adding paint is an essential step of a successful paint job. Be sure to let your paint primer soak into the surface for 3 to 24 hours before diving into the colorful part of the process.
Water-Based
For water-based paints, aim to wait at least 4 hours, or ideally 8 to 12 hours, between coats. Some paint can labels might recommend recoating after two hours, but it’s always best to err on the side of caution and extend the dry time for ideal results.
Latex
You should always wait at least four hours for latex paint to dry before applying a second coat. You’ll have better results the longer you wait, so if you push it to between eight and 12 hours, your second coat will go on smoother.
Acrylic
Like water-based and latex paint, you should wait at least four hours for acrylic paint to dry, but between eight to 12 hours between coats is ideal. With water-based, latex, and acrylic paint, you’ll see even better results if you can wait eight hours or overnight to ensure that your first coat cures properly to the wall. The drier your first coat of paint, the better the bond will be to the second. The additional wait time will prevent future paint peeling, too.
Oil-Based
Oil-based paints require longer drying time between coats of paint. For oil-based paints, give yourself a minimum of 24 hours between coats. If you can extend the timeframe, your second coat of oil-based paint will bond even better.
Additional Paint Types
Using a less-common type of paint for your project? Specific types of non-standard paints have unique drying times in most circumstances.
Brick paint: Brick paint typically dries to the touch in under three hours, depending on its sheen and humidity exposure. You should wait at least four hours before applying the second and subsequent paint coats. However, if you're painting brickwork with deep texture, you may encounter areas of thick paint that will require additional drying time before putting on the second coat. In that case, wait at least 12 hours before recoating to ensure any deep pockets of paint are dry.
Chalk paint: Chalk paint is a versatile product that you can use to achieve several finish styles. The paint has very few binders, making it fast-drying. Under normal conditions with low humidity, you can apply a second coat of chalk paint after two hours of drying. However, if you add a poly coat or wax to complete your project, allow at least 24 hours for the paint to fully cure before proceeding with the finish.
Spray paint: Spray paint is available in several types for various applications. Spray paint drying times vary greatly between 20 minutes for flat or matte spray paint and 24 hours for a high-gloss variety. Check the instructions on your paint to determine the correct drying and recoating times based on temperature and humidity.
Paint Drying Times Based on Surface Type
Your time budget for a painting project also depends on the type of wall or surface you’re transforming. Check out how long you should wait between paint coats on these popular paint spots.
Interior Walls
The drying time and time necessary to wait before applying additional paint coats on interior walls depend on the paint sheen, temperature, and humidity in the room. The drying and recoating times for oil-based paints is about 24 hours, while latex or water-based paints need one to two hours to dry and four to six hours before it's safe to apply the next coat. Flat or matte paint sheens will dry faster than higher gloss finishes by up to a couple of hours.
You can speed up the drying and recoating process by using fans to circulate air and by reducing the room's humidity. However, you risk creating unsightly paint bubbles by rushing the process.
Ceilings
Most people use low-sheen ceiling paint, which dries quickly and allows recoating after four hours. However, a ceiling with a heavy texture, like popcorn ceilings, can trap pools of paint and require additional drying time before applying a second coat. Wait eight to 12 hours to recoat a heavily-textured ceiling and 4 hours when using matte ceiling paint.
Trim, Baseboards, and Doors
If you’re painting the trim, such as wood trim around your windows and doors, give your first coat at least 12 hours before adding a second coat. Trim paint needs to soak in and harden on the wood, whether it’s real or composite wood.
For the best finish, lightly sand the wall between coats of paint to ensure the second coat adheres and lasts as long as possible. Vacuum the wall with a shop vac and wipe it down with a slightly damp rag to remove the dust before applying another layer.
Exterior Walls
While most oil-based paints require 24 hours between coats, water-based paint drying and recoating times vary depending on temperature, humidity, and air movement. Expect latex matte paints to dry within a couple of hours on warm and dry days and glossy paints drying on a cool and humid day to take up to 12 hours.
What Happens If You Recoat Paint Too Soon?
If you paint a second coat too soon, your paint won’t adhere well to the wall, and you may get streaks and uneven color. Your paint is also more likely to peel over time. It’s best to remain patient and give your walls ample dry time between coats, ideally eight hours or overnight (or 24 hours if using oil-based paint).
How Many Coats of Primer and Paint Should I Use?
Depending on the surface you’re tackling, here’s how many coats of primer and paint you need:
Painting a wall or ceiling for the first time: You should always use a separate primer, plus two coats of paint. Two-in-one primer and paint products are available, but for best results, use a primer and then a paint.
Painting an already painted wall: No need for primer.
Changing the color of the wall: Two coats of paint is recommended.
Keeping the color the same: One coat is usually enough for a fresh look.
Painting a ceiling: A single coat of paint is enough (after primer if it’s a new ceiling), especially if your ceiling is white.
Jenna Jonaitis contributed to this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Painting in ideal temperatures (between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit) with moderate humidity and ample ventilation is the best way for your paint to dry properly. You can turn on box fans and crack open windows to add circulation, but be sure no dust or debris gets on your wet walls. In the end, it’s best to be patient and ensure your paint is fully dry before applying a second coat or moving items back into a room.
Not really! If you complete a full coat of paint, including painting techniques like cutting in and rolling, you could wait weeks or months between coats if you wanted. For best results, sand the first coat and clean the wall before applying the second.
Generally, interior paint takes up to one month to fully cure. Factors like temperature, humidity, the type of paint you used, and the surface you painted over will affect how long it takes. In particularly dry areas, your paint will cure in 30 days, whereas humid locations may take more than a month. While paint may feel dry to the touch in a matter of hours, it takes much longer for it to cure, so be careful around newly painted surfaces within the first 30 days after painting.
The number of paint coats a professional uses will depend on the surface condition, the type of paint, and the application method. Most paint will require two coats, but painting a textured surface or covering a dark color with a lighter one may require three or more, while a simple refresh with the same paint color may just need one coat.