Most of the rooms in the house are used daily. If the walls get a new coat of paint, everything has to happen quickly. But furniture and pictures are only allowed to take their old wall space when everything is finished. But how long does the wall paint need to dry?
Wall paint dries quickly
For painting walls, different products are available in stores that differ not only in color but also in composition. For example, there are oil-based paints and those that are water-soluble. The composition has a decisive influence on the drying time of the wall paint.
On average, it takes around 12 hours for an applied wall paint to dry completely. But it's best to look at the packaging to see what information the manufacturer provides regarding drying time.
Other influencing factors
Three factors have a decisive influence on how quickly a coat of paint dries.
Underground
If the surface is absorbent (absorbent), the paint will dry faster. This is the case, for example, with concrete and drywall. If there is already a layer of paint, you must assume reduced absorbency. The newly applied paint will dry more slowly.
Tip:
Take a closer look at old paint. Very old colors often cannot be painted over at all or can only be painted over with several coats, which is very time-consuming. It may make more sense to completely re-paper the room.
Temperature
Wall paints dry best when the room temperature is between 20 and 25 degrees. If it is colder, the drying process slows down significantly. Not only that, with some colors the paint may crack. Watercolors are at risk of tearing in warmer temperatures.
Room humidity
The air in the room removes moisture from the applied paint, which causes it to dry. If the absorbed moisture cannot escape to the outside, the drying process is slowed down. Because the more humid the air is, the less new moisture it can absorb.
Accelerate drying
Drying can be accelerated in two ways: by increasing the room temperature and by reducing the humidity.
- ventilate after painting
- set up a small heater
- set up a vent
Tip:
Don't overdo it when it comes to influencing the drying process, for example, don't place the fan heater too close to the wall. Because if the wall paint cracks, you have to repair the damage at great expense.
Second coat of paint with the same color
The second coat of paint must not be applied immediately after the first, that much is clear. But how much time has to pass in between or how dry the paint that has already been applied has to become is not so easy to give a general answer. The paint manufacturers sometimes provide very different information, which is certainly well founded. Even if the paint does not have to be completely dry for the second coat, stick to the specified time and you will be on the safe side. In general:
- wait until the paint no longer shines
- Frequently used emulsion paints dry comparatively quickly
- They can usually be painted over after just five hours
Second coat in a different color
If you paint a wall that is still damp from the first coat of paint with a different color, unwanted mixing can occur in places. Therefore, the second coat in a different color may only be applied once the first coat has completely dried. Since the drying time depends on various factors, it doesn't hurt to install a safety buffer and only paint it the next day.
Tip:
Sometimes a freshly painted wall looks completely dry even though it isn't. Check this before painting by gently touching the wall with your fingertips. If it is still wet, you will definitely feel it and some paint will stick to your fingers.
Frequently asked questions
When can I start restoring the painted room?
In order for a newly painted room to be cleaned and put away, the paint does not have to be completely dry. However, you should initially position furniture at a distance and only move it close to the wall when the paint has completely dried. This also applies to hanging pictures. Carry out all movements carefully so that you do not touch the wall that is still damp.
What is emulsion paint?
Emulsion paints are viscous and low-viscosity paints, which, however, can have different compositions. Among other things, they are considered to be low-odor, have good coverage, can be painted over, are abrasion-resistant and quick-drying.
Why can't I dry the wall paint with a hairdryer?
The hairdryer can generate strong heat at the highest setting. This in turn will cause the paint to crack. You can certainly use the hairdryer in places, but then be very careful. Set it to the lowest level and don't hold it too close to the wall.
