Time is essential in house painting Pleasanton, especially when drying and curing paints. The right drying and curing period ensures that the painted surface is enough to add a second coat, or ready to be installed with wall hangings or wall decor.
Many people think that “drying” and “curing” are one and the same thing. Although these two terms are used interchangeably, there is otherwise a major difference between the two:
1. Drying – it means that the majority of the moisture has evaporated from the paint, which leaves the pigment and other properties of the paint to bind together and become hard. Drying is recommended especially between coats of paint.
The drying time depends on the type of paint you’ve bought and used:
- Latex (water-based) paints – Latex paints tend to dry faster than any other paint types because they become dry on the outside in. As the latex paint has become dried, it is no longer wet to the touch. A coat of latex paint typically takes about one to three hours, although drying time still depends on the varying conditions. If you have to apply a second coat of paint, you still have to wait up to three or four hours (and drying time depends on the properties of the paint and/or the condition of the site you’ve painted).
- Oil-based paints – Compared to latex-based paints, oil-based paints tend to dry slower because they become dry on the inside out. The extended drying time may be one of the reasons why oil-based paints have lost much of their popularity over the decades. Typically, it takes around six to eight hours before the paint has become dry to the touch. If you need to apply a second coat, you’ll have to wait for a full 24 hours before doing so. But then again, just like in the case latex paints, the oil-based paints’ drying time depends on the varying conditions or the properties of the paint.
2. Curing – Curing, on the other hand, means that all of the properties of the paint — water, solvents etc. — have completely evaporated. When the paint is cured, it means that its hardness has reached its peak and therefore the entire space is now ready for everyday use.
- Latex (water-based) paints – The curing time for latex paints usually takes up to 14 days. But still, it depends on the varying factors — curing time may take longer (even up to 30 days) under unfavorable conditions.
- Oil-based paints – The curing time for oil-based paints usually takes up to three to seven days — shorter than the curing period for latex paints. The relatively fast curing of oil-based paints makes them ideal for coating the trim and floors.
If you have done house painting Pleasanton (or nearby areas) before, you may have noticed that the drying or curing process took a lot longer than it should. Here are some of the reasons that may have impeded or slowed down drying or curing of paints:
- Humidity – If the room has a humidity that’s higher than normal, it equates to the slower drying or curing. The paint’s water content cannot evaporate as fast as it should under high humidity. Even more so, the paint is likely to be exposed to prolonged moisture. Make sure that the room has ample ventilation to decrease the chances of high humidity and to help speed up the drying or curing process.
- Temperature – The temperature also plays a big factor on the paint’s drying or curing process. For latex paints, the ideal temperature should be around 50 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit; for oil-based paints, 40 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit will be fine. If you have an air conditioning unit in your home, adjust it to achieve the ideal temperature. If you don’t have an air conditioning unit, be sure that the room has ample ventilation.
But in the case of exterior painting, avoid painting on days that are too hot, too cold or too damp — the paint will not dry or cure as well as it should and worse, it will lead to future surface problems (such as blistering).
- Application of paint – If you want to have a faster drying time, choose to roll over brushing. Rolling distributes paint more evenly and consistently than brushing as long as you use the right technique. Using a brush may end up with thick globs of paint, which can contribute to the slowing down of the drying or curing process.
How do you know if the paint has dried or cured? Find an inconspicuous area you’ve painted and pressed your finger onto the surface. If it leaves a mark or a dent, it means that the paint still needs a longer period to dry or cure.
To speed up the drying or curing process a bit as well as to prevent high humidity, open the windows or turn on the electric fan for ample ventilation.
Good things really come to those who wait, so to speak. So if you want a good and professional-looking finish in house painting Pleasanton, it takes a lot of work and some periods of drying and curing. Make sure that you paint in optimal conditions and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the paint can in order to allow as much drying or curing time as necessary.
