You might be thinking about painting your house or you want to give your room wall an aesthetic look. But you are also tired of frequent discoloring of the wall. Now there is no need to be worried because the application of primer before painting can make your task much easier and more reliable. For this purpose, a question arises for a layman who is using it for the first time how long does primer take to dry? In this article, we will discuss its application process and the time period it requires for drying up.
Why use a primer before painting?
The application of paint directly on the wall seems a very straightforward task to do but it will end up in discoloration. For making your paint more adhesive you need to follow a step-by-step guide. Application of primer is one of them. It is just like a preparatory coating that increases the durability of the paint with additional protection.
Is it necessary to apply primer before painting?
Yes, its application is needed if you want a smooth outlook of your painted wall. Primer will hide all the stains and you will get the cleanest finished look.
How long does it take for primer to dry?
On average it takes 1 to 4 hours to dry completely. However, it also depends upon several other factors such as primer type, humidity, room temperature, also the surface where you are applying. It is highly recommended to wait for at least 60 minutes to dry.
How long does paint primer take to dry if it’s a latex primer?
As we have discussed that the drying also depends upon the type of primer you are using. One of the primers is latex primer which is water-based and best for the preparation of drywall. It dries more quickly as compared to the other primers. You need to leave it for 30 minutes to dry before the actual application of the paint. However, complete drying may need three hours.
Should I wait for 24 hours for drying?
How long does primer take to dry? This is the most frequently asked question regarding primer application. Most experts say that you need to leave it for a long time so that it should be dried up completely to avoid cracking. So it is highly recommended to leave it for one day and then apply actual paint. It will make the paint more durable. But if you can’t wait for a whole day then at least wait for three hours before the application of paint to avoid future harm.
How many coatings of primer are needed?
It is another interesting point to consider. A single coating of primer can’t give you good results as you will get from three to four layered coatings. For making a firm bond between paint molecules and primer you will have more than one coating. Especially when there are dark-colored stains on your wall, it needs to be covered up with more than one layer. Typically, there are two coats required for making the surface smooth.
How long oil based primer takes to dry?
Typically it requires 24 hours to dry completely. For testing, you can simply touch the surface, if it’s not sticky then it has dried and you can apply another coating easily. Drying will occur even within 30 minutes but complete drying for extra protection needs to be considered for three hours.
Factors affecting drying time:
There are many factors that affect that drying time but temperature and humidity are more crucial to consider. If you are painting outside where there is humidity in the environment then obviously it will take more time to dry up fully. But the increased temperature will definitely fasten the drying process. However, during winter water-based primer can freeze due to cold air so it is recommended not to paint outdoors during cold weather.
Is it fine to sand the wall before the application of primer?
No, you need to sand the wall after the application of the primer. Evenly apply the primer throughout the wall and wait until it dries up completely. Now, you can perform a patch test to make sure the sanding wall will not peel off the primer. If it goes fine then you can sand the wall to make the surface smoother.
Applying primer to the wood the same as the wall?
The application of primer to wood is just similar to the wall. The drying period is also the same. But there is a little trouble with wood primer. Wood has great absorbency which means that you need to apply several coats on wood as compared to the wall.
Things you need to consider:
- If you are painting outdoor, you don’t have control over humidity. But if you are painting indoors then you can use a dehumidifier to faster the drying process.
- After application, make sure to open doors and windows for ventilation as it will also speed up the drying process.
- You can also place fans indoors for drying.
- Shutting down the windows can make you inhale toxic fumes.
Things you need to avoid:
- Applying latex paint over oil-based paint without the application of oil-based primer will crack your paint.
- Completely remove previous paint stains from the wall before applying a new coating for a smoother look.
- If you made a mistake during brushing, don’t hasten to remove it on the spot. Rather wait until it dries up completely, scratch it, and then apply another coating.
General tips for the application of primer:
- You need to stir up the primer thoroughly with a wooden stick before application. Upon resting, primer components get separated and stirring will make a homogenous mixture.
- You need to add some amount of mineral spirit to dilute the concentrated mixture of primer. It will make it more workable.
- Use a high-quality bristle brush for the even application of oil-based primer.
- You can fad out some of the imperfections with the help of a sand sponge to make the wall smoother after the primer has dried up.
Final verdict/ Wrapping up:
We had a detailed discussion that how the application of primer before painting your walls can make them more durable. The most common inquiry for this purpose is the drying time. It depends upon several external factors as well as the type of product you are using. On average you need to wait at least two or three hours. However, in order to avoid any cracking, it is highly recommended to leave it for the whole day. After that just apply a patch test, it goes fine then you can sand the wall for a smooth surface. There are several things that you need to consider or avoid for avoiding future harm.
