How Long Does Exterior Paint Take to Dry?
Painting your house can be seen as either a labor intensive task, or a means for creative expression within your home. Honestly, sometimes it’s both!
While painting the interior of your home can seem relatively straightforward, painting the outside comes with a few more constraints than you’d probably expect. Of those unexpected topics, today we will be going over the amount of time paint needs to dry when applied to the exterior of your home.
What factors influence exterior paint drying times?
Did you know that influences such as weather conditions, the surface area being painted, the level of humidity, and the type of paint you use all play a part in the amount of time needed for your paint to dry effectively?
Here’s our top 5 most frequent influences for your house painting drying times.
Outdoor temperature
When outside temperatures are too hot or too cold it can negatively impact the way your paint dries. Unfortunately, this factor is often overlooked when homeowners choose the best time to paint their property.
If you paint in colder weather the paint is at risk for drying much slower than normal. Freezing temperatures do not allow the paint to fully set and, therefore, can result in unexpected damage or imperfections to your freshly painted surface.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, temperatures that are too high can also negatively impact the quality of your paint job. While heat does generally aid in the drying process, excessive heat can cause cracking and bubbling to occur throughout the painted area. It is best to wait for a moderate, dry climate before beginning any outdoor paint work.
How much humidity is in the air
Just as you may suspect, humidity can truly play a part in the amount of time it takes to dry your paint. If the humidity levels for the day are high, it may be best to refrain from painting until they subside. Excess moisture in the air inhibits your paints ability to dry quickly, resulting in longer wait times before the next coat can be applied.
If it rains or snows while paint is drying
Similar to humidity, both rain and snow affect drying times due to the added moisture. After all, how can anything be expected to dry when the addition of water from both snow or rain is being added to the paint. Additionally, there is a difference between your paint drying and your paint officially curing. While your paint may be dry to the touch, if it has not fully cured prior to rain or snow being introduced, it could affect your finished product, resulting in the need for additional repairs.
The base of the paint you’re applying
Outside of exterior influences, the paint that you’ve chosen for your project can influence the drying time. For example: two types of paint bases that have significantly different drying times are oil based paint and water based paint. Due to the viscosity of an oil based paint, it takes significantly longer – around six hours more – to dry a single coat, versus the use of a water based paint. Being familiar with the type of paint you’ve selected will help make sure that you allocate the appropriate amount of time to let your surface area dry effectively.
Thickness of your chosen paint
Even in situations where a water based paint is used, the thickness of each painted layer will affect the overall drying time. For example: if a coat of paint is left to dry after applying paint repeatedly over the same surface area, the drying time is going to be longer. Using thin, even layers ensures consistent drying times and a faster painting process.
Other tips about exterior painting and drying times
Painting any outdoor project can come with its own challenges, but all of them are manageable so long as some basic painting practices are followed. For your best results, here is how Old Crow recommends tackling your next exterior project:
Use a coat of primer first
Before you even begin to paint, choosing the appropriate primer and applying a coat is going to elevate your painting experience. Believe it or not, applying primer is an integral part of the painting process.. Not only does adding a priming agent allow the paint to adhere to your surface better, it also promotes longevity of the paint life and adds a layer of protection to the surface area being painted.
Always wait for the first coat to dry before painting another
If you’re wondering why we took the time to go over how paint dries, it’s because the state of your paint plays a large role in the success of your project. Painting over a surface area that has not fully dried simply means that you’re going to be stuck trying to fix a heavily textured canvas. Do yourself a favor and thoroughly ensure that all coats have died before applying more paint.
Drying time vs. curing time
As mentioned briefly before, there is a difference between your paint being completely dry and your paint successfully curing. Have you ever touched a painted surface that feels dry, only to find out that what little pressure applied has left a dent or imprint on the surface? This is a great example of how paint can dry, but not fully cure. Even paint that dries within minutes needs time to successfully cure. If paint is exposed to moisture, pressure, or any type of friction before curing, it could cause noticeable blemishes to your new paint job.
Contact Old Crow Painting for all your exterior painting needs!
If you have an upcoming painting project, you can trust Old Crow Painting for all of your painting and pressure washing needs. With years of experience, Old Crow Painting is your stress-free guarantee solution. We always offer professional, friendly, and reliable services to all of our Tampa Bay residents. Call today to start making your vision a reality!