After you've spent time and elbow grease on a great project, it's tough to remain patient and let the paint dry fully before putting the item to use. Oil-based paint - dry to the touch in 6–8 hours and ready to recoat in 24 hours. Latex paint - dry to the touch in about 1 hour, and you can safely recoat in 4 hours.
A good rule of thumb is to wait at least three hours to recoat your paint or primer if it's water-based. Waiting 24 hours is best for oil-based paint and primer. If you're unsure, the instructions on the paint's label can give you the best final say.
You will want between two and three coats of paint depending on the situation. After the first two coats are applied and dry, take a look to see if the old paint is showing through. You may just need to touch up a few areas, or if lots of paint is showing through, you'll need an entire third coat.
Acrylic paint dries even faster; it is dry to the touch after 30 minutes and ready for a second coat after two hours. Oil-based paints have a much longer dry time; it generally takes up to eight hours to be dry to the touch and a full 24 hours before a second coat can be applied.
An enamel paint of volume solids 55% spread at 16 sq metres per litre will give a film that is about 35 microns thick (1,000 microns equals one millimetre) and a three coat system will give a total film thickness of about 100 microns.
Most often, a two-coat system includes the primer and a top coat whereas three-coat systems include the primer, top coat, and a third coating (most often a clear coat) that is applied over the top.
Type of Paint
Oil-based paint - dry to the touch in 6–8 hours and ready to recoat in 24 hours. Latex paint - dry to the touch in about 1 hour, and you can safely recoat in 4 hours.
For an average-sized room like the one we've mentioned above, painting the walls should take 1 to 2 hours (depending on the number of coats). If you've done your prep work thoroughly, this phase of the job should be easy and fairly quick.
At times it makes sense to try to finish a paint job in 1 day, and there are small to medium sized jobs that can be done in 1 day with multiple crews that turn out wonderfully. It is recommended, however, that you consider a longer time frame so that quality does not have to be sacrificed for speed.
Three coat systems ensure longevity and maintainability for those surfaces, long lasting colors, and functionality (ability to wash).
Patchiness usually happens if you don't use enough paint, or apply it unevenly. Using a touch more paint, and painting in small sections one at a time, usually does the trick. Also, rolling in a grid fashion will get you an even finish too. But, sometimes, changes in the gloss level leave things patchy.
How many coats of paint do I need? Generally, you will want a minimum of two coats of paint – this is a good rule of thumb for any wall or ceiling you're painting. You'll rarely get a seamless finish from just one coat of paint, and even if you do, coverage isn't the only goal when it comes to painting a room.
If you choose to use a single coat of paint to speed up the painting process or save some money, the chances are your paint shade won't look the same as you'd hoped, but the same also goes for too many coats. Using three or more coats of paint will probably make your shade look darker than expected.
Two coats of paint ALWAYS looks better and more professional than just one. The best paints sold by top paint vendors recommend a two coat system.
Applying the second coat too early will result in streaks, peeling paint, and uneven color. Not only will this ruin the entire project but it'll cost additional money to get more paint in some occasions. It's best to wait for the first coat to dry.
On average, it takes 5 to 7 hours to paint a room. This figure is for an average 120 square feet room and includes time spent prepping the room for painting, performing details, and cleaning up. If you prepare, you can easily paint a room in one day.
Any paint with a "Green Seal" logo of any kind has few enough VOC's that it is harmless to sleep in the room the same day the paint is applied. However, the paint is not odorless and will smell for at least 24 hours after painting. Typically the smell will lessen in 2-3 days if you keep the room well ventilated.
A good principle is to wait about four hours for water-based paint to dry, and about 24 hours for oil-based paint to dry. Before the painting job starts, make a plan to allow the room adequate time to dry and air out before moving occupants back in.
What happens if you apply a second coat of paint too soon? Applying the second coat of paint before letting it dry will result in peeling, clumping, and bubbling that can be time-consuming and expensive to repair. It can also result in an uneven colour, ruining its appearance.
But it's not just the amount of paint that needs consideration when repainting a room. Paint that isn't allowed to dry before the application of a second coat is likely to peel, streak, clump, or flake when dry. Experts recommend leaving a minimum of two to four hours of drying time between each coat for best results.
It is typically safe to apply a second coat after four hours for latex paint and 24 hours for oil-based paint.
Application Description
Apply 2 coats with a brush or roller, leave 2-4 hours between coats. Do not apply in very damp or humid conditions or in extreme temperatures. TIP: if the colour change is strong, more coats may be required.
The layperson may think they can save time or money by using just one coat of paint, or that they've chosen the thickness or sheen that will perform up to their standards – but it's quite likely they'll be disappointed with the long-term results. So, back to the first answer: always use two coats.
Tips and Advice. Skip's Tips | Too Many Coats
Cracking or flaking of the coating usually results. It is not uncommon to put a coat of paint on a surface that appears sound only to have many layers of paint peel away. At this point the surface must be stripped.