How Long Does Rustoleum Take to Dry? | Depends on Different Factors

Spray paint is becoming popular nowadays. Rustoleum is an excellent choice for painting different types of surfaces like timber, metal, glass, concrete, etc. It is well-liked for its flexibility and durability.

While using Rustoleum, a common question occurs – how long does Rustoleum take to dry compared to other paint? Although a straightforward answer is in between 24-48 hours, there are a lot of factors that affect the drying duration. Keep reading further to know more.

Different Stages of Dryness

Rustoleum goes through a few different stages while drying. For different types of paints, the time duration of these stages is different. So, it is important to know about them before we go to further discussion.

• Surface-Dry: It is the stage when the paint will dry in such a way that it will not move from the surface. In this case, the paint is only dry on the outside but it is still damp on the inside. If you touch the painted surface in this stage, some of the paint will transfer to your finger.
• Touch-Dry: This is the second stage of dryness. In this stage, the paint is dry enough for you to touch. But if you put too much pressure on it, the paint will get damaged.
• Hard-Dry: In this stage, the paint is a lot dryer, but if you put enough pressure on your finger or with something else, it may take the mark.
• Thorough-Dry: This is the last stage, in which the paint is dried completely. It is safe to put pressure on the surface because the paint is hard enough not to get smeared or marked.

How Long Does Rustoleum Take to Dry?

So, how long does Rustoleum take to dry exactly? Well, it is a question that is difficult to answer in one sentence. Because the duration of drying of Rustoleum depends on the type of paint, type of surface, and some other factors.

Factor 1: Type of Paint

There are various types of spray paints that are differentiated by properties, quality, and finish. The duration of drying differs for each type of paint. At 70°F (21°C) and 50% relative humidity three of the most common types are marked out below:

1. Enamel Paint

This type of paint takes longer to dry compared to lacquer paint. Enamel paint touch-dries in 2-4 hours, hard-dries in 5-9 hours, and dries thoroughly after 24 hours.

2. Lacquer Paint

Lacquer paint dries much faster than enamel. It touch-dries in 20 minutes and hard-dries in ½ hour only. Though it touch-dries and hard drives much faster than enamel paint, it takes about 24 hours to dry thoroughly.

3. Epoxy Paint

Epoxy paints, also known as ‘Rustoleum epoxy shields’ are mostly used in floor coating and take longer to dry. After floor coating, the surface becomes ready for light foot traffic within 12-16 hours. But for heavy items, it is instructed to wait for 24-48 hours. It takes up to 72 hours for the surface to fully cure for vehicle traffic.

Factor 2: Type of Surface

The duration of drying of Rustoleum differs significantly according to the type of surface it is painted on. Generally, on a smooth surface, the paint dries quickly. However, if the surface is uneven, it takes longer to dry. For example:

• Metal: Metal surfaces are the fastest to dry for their smooth texture.
• Wood: Raw and rough timbers take a long time to dry whereas refined and smooth ones, such as cardboard take less time.
• Plastic: Rustoleum on plastic surfaces dries faster than on wood surfaces but not as fast as metal ones.
• Glass: On a glass surface, Rustoleum takes about 24 hours to fully dry, but one advantage of such a surface is you can apply another coating after only a 15-minute interval.
• Bricks and Concrete: Due to its smooth texture, Rustoleum takes much less time to dry in bricks and the concrete surface.

Factor 3: Temperature and Humidity

The finest circumstance to dry Rustoleum is high temperature. A warm environment speeds up the drying process of the paint. Besides, the lower the humidity, the faster the process of drying the paint. As a result, it makes it harder to dry the paint in cold temperatures with high moisture.

A hairdryer can be a good way to quicken the drying process when the temperature is cold and the humidity is high. However, it is quite unnecessary if the weather condition is ideal.

Factor 4: Thickness of Paint

If the layer of the paint is thick, it will take more time to dry. However, applying a thin but uniform layer will quicken the drying process.

When applying spray paint, you can avoid applying thick layers by keeping the nozzle further away from the surface. It will cover a bigger portion but the layer will be thin enough to dry quickly. Holding the nozzle near the surface will result in a thick layer of paint.

Tips to Make Rustoleum Dry Faster

Though the drying duration varies depending on various factors, you can apply a few tricks to accelerate the process. Such as:

• Try to use Rustoleum outside. If painting outside is not possible, make sure to use an open space that is well-ventilated.
• Avoid applying thin-layer paint. 
• If the weather is cold with high humidity; use a hairdryer, a fan, or a heater to quicken the drying process.
• Try to work on a sunny day. Humidity level raises on rainy days, which will lengthen the drying process.
• While using spray paints, shake them thoroughly from time to time.

When to Apply Second Coat

For Rustoleum, one coat is enough. But if you are using it on objects in which adds durability and consistency are required, like furniture, you can apply additional layers. You need to wait until the paint is dried to touch. Make sure to apply the second coat within 24 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

1. How long before Rustoleum gets wet?

Answer: It is advised to wait up to 7 days before getting the paint wet. Although continuous contact with water is not recommended, infrequent contact with water and occasional washing will not do any harm.

2. What happens if you paint a second coat too soon?

Answer: Applying the second coat of Rustoleum too soon will follow some consequences like striping paint and irregular color. This will hamper the attractiveness of the paint and cost additional money to repair the damage.

3. Do I really need to wait 4 hours between coats of paint?

Answer: The thumb rule is to wait until the Rustoleum paint is touch-dry before applying the second coat. However, it is safe to wait 4-6 hours before applying the second layer.

Last Words

Rustoleum has brought a new standard to everyday paint-job through its portability and versatility. However, knowing how long it takes to dry is crucial. If you are working on a limited time scale, it will help if you consider the factors which will shorten the drying duration of the paint.