While painting, one common confusion that often arises is between these two terms – paint drying and curing. However, the reality is there is a significant difference between these two steps and understanding both greatly affects the final results of a painted surface. Have you been getting your residential or commercial space painted recently but are not sure about these phases? Well, here you will find everything you need to know.
What is paint drying?
The first step that happens when paint is put to a surface is drying. Paint begins to dry when the solvents in your paint coat evaporate, giving the impression that the paint is completely dry even though it isn’t. Paint drying times are influenced by a number of variables, including the paint’s composition and the surrounding environment. Heat speeds up the drying of paint. But excessive humidity stops paint from evaporating sufficiently.
What is paint curing?
The next stage after the paint dries is curing. When your paint covering reaches its maximum hardness and is 100% dried, paint “cure” happens. While the paint bonds with the surface it has been applied on through various chemical reactions, the water and solvents in the paint mix continue to evaporate during this curing process. When the paint dries to its maximum hardness, it is considered to have completed the curing step. The curing stage takes longer than the drying stage and takes days or sometimes even weeks to complete.
What are the factors that affect paint drying and curing time?
There are several aspects that directly or indirectly control the time it takes the painted surface to both dry and cure. Here is a list of aspects-
- Environment’s Humidity: When the humid is high, it automatically takes longer for the paint to dry and then cure. That’s why for your house in Sydney, expert painters will always suggest low humidity for the paint to dry quickly.
- Temperature of the Area: In colder temperatures, the paint will take more time to complete the process of drying and curing. So, to quicken the process, warm temperatures are better option.
- Number of Paint Coats: Some surfaces might take more that one coat to give a flawless result. When there is a single coat it dries up quickly and then cured. But additional coats will lengthen both the process. Make sure to wait for at least 4 hours in between each coat to avoid any mess.
- Colour of the Paint: It’s interesting to note that paint colours do affect how long they take to cure or dry. Compared to lighter hues, deeper shades require more time to dry.
What is the paint drying and curing time based on the type of paint?
Along with the four factors that determine the timeframe of completing the process, another important factor is the type of paint that’s being used. For your better understanding, here in this chart, we will look at the drying and curing time of paint based on the type of paint-
| Paint Type | Drying Time | Curing Time |
| Oil Based Paint | 6 to 8 hours | 3 to 7 days |
| Latex Paint | 1 to 2 hours | 21 to 30 days |
| Milk Paint | 30 minutes | 30 days |
| Chalk Brand Paint | 30 to 60 minutes | 30 days |
| Homemade Chalky Paint | 30 to 60 minutes | 21 to 30 days |
How to check if the paint is completely dried and cured?
Use your finger to lightly touch a discrete spot to see if your paint is dry. The paint is completely dry if it is not tacky to the touch. On the other hand, use the fingernail test to determine whether your paint has cured. Try pressing your fingernail into the paint in an inconspicuous spot. It is not totally cured if the paint leaves an indent. If there isn’t any apparent indent and the surface feels solid, you can consider it cured.
Still not sure how to determine if the paint is dried and cured?
Well, it’s not very uncommon, as understanding these terms requires experience, which only professionals have. So, choose one of the experienced painting services near you to help you with all the doubts and hassles. For your commercial space or residential areas, trust the professional Sydney painters from Priority One Coatings. Call us today to get high-quality service at the most affordable rates.
