Time between primer and paint wood

It seems that the waiting time between primer and paint is something that experts just can’t agree on. So, if you’re looking for a universal answer on how long to wait between primer and paint, don’t expect to find one. But, don’t panic! I can help you figure out the best waiting time for your primer.

• What Is a Paint Primer?
• Situations When Paint Primer Is a Must
  • The surface isn’t even
  • Changing a dark wall color to a lighter one
  • The wall has a glossy base
• How Long to Wait Between Primer and Paint

What Is a Paint Primer?

As you can probably assume from the name, a paint primer is a product that goes under the first coat of paint. It can be used for both interior and exterior surfaces, and its main function is to prepare the wall for paint.

A high-quality primer will make the wall smoother so that the paint glides on the surface easily. What’s more, this product will extend the life of the paint and provide additional protection to the wall.

It all sounds great, but do you actually need a paint primer? Is spending more money and time on the additional product really worth it? Well, it depends on your particular situation.

In case your walls are in good shape and clean, you don’t have to use a primer. Same goes if you’re just refreshing the existing color on your walls.

In addition, there are paints that have self-priming abilities, which will reduce the need for a primer. However, you’ll still need a primer if your walls aren’t in the best condition. That way, you’ll make sure that the paint goes on smoothly.

Situations When Paint Primer Is a Must

If you notice similarities between your wall and the situations I’m about to mention, then the paint primer is a must for you!

The surface isn’t even

In case the wall that you want to paint is uneven and porous, prepping it with a primer is a must. Furthermore, if you’re planning to paint wood, bricks or even new drywall, you should definitely consider buying a paint primer to even out the surface.

Primers are important in these cases because the paint can get into the pores and you’ll need much more time for the whole process. What’s more, there’s a huge chance that the paint won’t look good even after you spend hours trying to make it perfect.

Related article: How to Paint Door Hinges

Changing a dark wall color to a lighter one

Covering a darker color is not the easiest thing to do. That is why you’ll need a primer that will make the process as quick as possible.

A lot of brands make amazing, white primers that will cover a dark color in just one or two layers. If you need help with figuring out which one to choose, I have an article about the best primers and paint to cover dark walls that might interest you.

The wall has a glossy base

In case the wall has a glossy base coat, there’s a huge chance that the paint won’t stick to it. That is why a primer is a must in these situations.

The drying time of a primer depends on various factors. The first one is the level of humidity in the house. In case it’s higher than recommended, your primer will probably need a bit more time to dry out. So, you should make sure that you have the air conditioning on before you start with the whole process.

In addition, it’s always best to read the instructions that the primer came with. There are primers that will dry out in an hour or two, while others need up to 24 hours. Thus, you should check out the instructions before you apply the primer.

In most cases, latex primers don’t take more than an hour to dry out. However, you should wait three to four hours before applying a layer of paint.

On the other hand, an oil-based primer will need a longer time to dry out. You should give it 24 hours to make sure that it’s completely ready for another coat.

If you have time, I advise you to always give a primer at least 12 hours to cure, no matter which type it is. You’ll spend a bit more time on the whole painting process, but you’ll ensure that your new wall color is perfect and long-lasting.

So before you buy a can of primer and start brushing it onto your walls, keep reading to learn more about how to know when to paint over your primer.

What Do You Need To Know About How Long Primer Should Dry?

Using primer may be a little daunting for first-timers doing a painting project.  

One of the most common questions is, “How long should primer dry before painting?” 

Putting a coat of paint on drywall may seem like a relatively straightforward task, but there are a few key steps to ensure from first coat to final color your paint job goes smoothly. 

One of the most crucial of these steps is the application of primer on the surface before you start painting. 

There are plenty of factors that determine the dry time of your primer, including your environment, the primer that you’re using, and how much of it you applied.

Throughout this guide, we’ll explore the factors that influence how long a basecoat primer takes to dry.

Read More >> What Are The Best Primers For Walls?

What Type of Primer Are You Using?

The first thing to consider when determining how long it will take your primer to dry is the formulation of the primer itself. 

There are two main varieties of primer, much like paint. 

First, you have water-based primers, which are easier to work with and should dry within a maximum of three hours.

On the other hand, you also have oil-based primers, and these can be a bit more challenging to work with, especially since they can take up to 24hrs to fully dry.

However, for most DIY applications, you’ll likely end up using a latex primer and latex paint for simplicity's sake.

What Are The Environmental Conditions?

When trying to determine the drying time of primer, you’ll also have to assess the temperature and humidity in your home. 

The recommended temperature and humidity for primer application is around 70 degrees F and 50% humidity, so any conditions beyond these (such as high humidity) can lengthen or shorten the drying time of both your primer and the layer of paint you're placing on top of it.

As you may expect, more atmospheric humidity will make primer take longer to dry, as there are more water molecules suspended in the air. 

Keep in mind that the temperature itself is less crucial than the humidity which is caused by that temperature. The primer coat will dry better on a cold, dry day than it will on a hot, humid day. The same can be said for your paint color as well.

Read More >> What Are The Best Paint Primers For New Drywall?

What Is The Surface Being Primed?

It’s a common misconception that some surfaces can drastically speed up the drying time of primer. 

While it’s true that wood and concrete have different thermal characteristics that will affect the primer, the effect is greatly exaggerated. 

Primer will typically dry in the same amount of time, no matter the surface it’s applied to.

Supplies You’ll Need For Paint Over Primer

Applying primer is relatively simple, but you’ll still need the usual tools and protective gear that you’d use when handling paint.

• Brush or roller
• Paint tray
• Masking tape
• Nitrile gloves
• Protective eyewear
• Protective outerwear
• Drop cloths
• Sandpaper
• Wall paint

One thing to note here is that not every primer requires sanding before layering on coats of paint, so be sure to read the directions for the primer you chose as well as the paint you're using.

Ultimately, following the proper procedures for applying your primer and coat of paint is going to determine the outcome of your topcoat.

This is especially important if you're trying to cover darker colors, in which case you want to make sure you're using a high-quality primer that is designed for use over dark colors.

How To Apply Primer & Know When It's Dry (3-Step Guide)

1. Apply the primer
2. Wait and check regularly
3. Sand if necessary, or ensure that the primer is dry and get to painting!

Step 1 - Apply the primer

Start off by putting on your outerwear, eyewear, and nitrile gloves before you even prepare the area. 

This will ensure that they aren’t forgotten.

Then, if you’re painting inside, place your tarp along the walls to protect the floor from drops of paint and primer. 

Also be sure to generously apply masking tape to anything that you don’t want to be painted, including power outlets, baseboards, etc.

At this point, you can bring out your can of primer. Before you open it up, vigorously shake it for a few minutes to make sure that it’s stirred. 

You can also wait until you’ve opened up the can and use a stir stick. 

Pour the primer into your paint tray, and bring out your brush or roller. 

Now, you’re ready to start applying it.

As you apply it, make sure you're keeping an eye out for drips or missed sections. You want to make sure you're laying down a solid primer coat to ensure that your first coat of paint can fully adhere to the surface.

Step 2 - Wait and check regularly

Now it's time to wait and see how your coat of primer dries.

Many primers out there today dry within about 30 minutes (like this one from KILZ that you can find on Amazon) and are safe to add a coat of paint to within an hour.

However, the best way to truly tell if your primer is ready is to keep coming back and checking if it's dry to the touch yet.

Generally, if you can touch the primer and it doesn't feel tacky or come off on you're finger, it's ready to be painted over.

But, if you're like me and you just want to be safe, I allow the primer to dry for another 30 minutes after this point before adding a coat of paint (or second coat of primer).

Step 3 - Sand if necessary, or ensure that the primer is dry and get to painting!

Now that you feel your primer is ready to accept a coat of paint, it's time to move on to sanding if your primer calls for it.

Personally, I think this step is usually unnecessary, however, if you're working with a more porous surface or a surface that will struggle to accept paint, sanding and applying a second coat of primer can ensure that your paint will really stick.

So, if you want to sand over your first coat of primer and add a second coat, go ahead and do that now. Then repeat step 2 and move on to painting once it's dried again.

If, however, you don't feel the need to sand down your primer, go ahead and move on to adding coats of paint to your newly primed surface.

Read More >> How Do You Get Primer Off Your Hands?

Final Thoughts On How Long To Let Primer Dry Before Painting

Now that we've gone over some of the basics about how to properly apply primer and let it dry, you should be prepared to make your next DIY project or paint job a huge success.

So, no matter how many coats of primer you decide to use, make sure you're letting it fully dry before moving on to your first coat of paint.

And with that, good luck and happy painting!

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