Finish dry, recoat and cure time chart
How long each finish takes to dry to the touch, before the next coat, before use and to cure fully, as each maker prints it for its own product. Where two or more makers publish a recoat time for the same kind of finish, the summary gives the range across them.
Recoat time by kind of finish
| Kind of finish | Recoat | What stands behind it |
|---|---|---|
| Oil-based polyurethane | 3.5 hspan 3–24 h | Two sources disagree: Minwax (Sherwin-Williams) 3.5, General Finishes 24 |
| Water-based polyurethane | 2 hspan 2 h | Only two sources publish this: General Finishes and Minwax (Sherwin-Williams) |
| Wipe-on polyurethane | No class value | One maker’s sheet so far: see the product below |
| Spar urethane (outdoor) | 4 hspan 2–8 h | Median of 3 sources |
| Nitrocellulose lacquer | 2 hspan 2 h | Only two sources publish this: PPG (ProLuxe, formerly Deft) and Minwax (Sherwin-Williams) |
| Pre-catalyzed lacquer | No class value | One maker’s sheet so far: see the product below |
| Water-based lacquer | No class value | One maker’s sheet so far: see the product below |
| Pure tung oil | No class value | One maker’s sheet so far: see the product below |
| Boiled linseed oil | No class value | One maker’s sheet so far: see the product below |
| Danish oil | No class value | No maker we read prints one |
| Hardwax oil | No class value | One maker’s sheet so far: see the product below |
| Cutting board oil and bowl finish | No class value | One maker’s sheet so far: see the product below |
| Oil-based penetrating stain | No class value | One maker’s sheet so far: see the product below |
| Gel stain | No class value | One maker’s sheet so far: see the product below |
| Shellac | No class value | One maker’s sheet so far: see the product below |
When two makers are more than twice apart (oil-based polyurethane: Minwax 3–4 hours, General Finishes 24 hours or more), the chart starts at the lower and the tag says they disagree. Go by your own product's figure.
Every product
"Use" is the maker's own words for light or normal use; a "+" means the maker prints a minimum. Conditions are the temperature and humidity each maker names; cooler, damper conditions slow every finish.
| Product | Touch-dry | Recoat | Use | Full cure | Coverage | Thinning and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane One source: Minwax (Sherwin-Williams), the maker of that product | — | 3–4 h | 24 hlight use | — | 125 sq ft per quart | Sand lightly with 220 grit between coats; 3 coats for most durability. |
| General Finishes Arm-R-Seal One source: General Finishes, the maker of that product | 12+ h | 24+ h | — | 30 days | up to 500 sq ft per gallon | Thinning: Mineral spirits.Conditions: 70 °F, 50 % RH.A thin oil-based topcoat GF says to apply in thin coats with a rag. |
| Product | Touch-dry | Recoat | Use | Full cure | Coverage | Thinning and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Finishes High Performance One source: General Finishes, the maker of that product | 30 min | 2 h | — | 21 days | up to 600 sq ft per gallon | Thinning: Water, GF Extender or GF Accelerator.Conditions: 70 °F, 50 % RH.Water-based acrylic/urethane blend; 25 % volume solids; 3–4 coats. |
| Minwax Polycrylic One source: Minwax (Sherwin-Williams), the maker of that product | — | 2 h | 24 hnormal use (light handling after 3 hours) | — | 125 sq ft per quart | Sand with 220 grit between coats, no steel wool; 3 coats; wait 24 hours over Minwax Wood Finish stain. |
| Product | Touch-dry | Recoat | Use | Full cure | Coverage | Thinning and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watco Wipe-On Poly One source: Rust-Oleum (Watco), the maker of that product | 2–4 h | 4–6 h | — | 1 day | 50–100 sq ft per quart | Conditions: 70 °F, 50 % RH; apply at 60–90 °F, RH under 85 %.Handle after 8–12 hours; three coats recommended. Coverage printed per 946 mL (a US quart). |
| Product | Touch-dry | Recoat | Use | Full cure | Coverage | Thinning and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane One source: Minwax (Sherwin-Williams), the maker of that product | — | 4 h | 24 hnormal use | — | 125 sq ft per quart | UV blockers; 3 coats outdoors or on bare wood. |
| Varathane Oil-Based Spar Urethane One source: Rust-Oleum (Varathane), the maker of that product | 2 h | 8 h | 24 hlight use (full use after 3 days) | — | 380–760 sq ft per gallon | Thinning: Do not thin.Conditions: 70 °F, 50 % RH; apply at 55–90 °F.Handle after 4–6 hours; sand lightly if a coat has dried more than 12 hours. Rust-Oleum names railings, fences, patio furniture, house and trim, and not decks, high-traffic areas, siding or rough-sawn wood. |
| General Finishes Exterior 450 One source: General Finishes, the maker of that product | 30 min | 2 h | — | 21 days | up to 600 sq ft per gallon | Thinning: Water, GF Extender or GF Accelerator.Conditions: 70 °F, 50 % RH.Water-based acrylic/urethane blend with UV absorbers. |
| Product | Touch-dry | Recoat | Use | Full cure | Coverage | Thinning and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProLuxe (Deft) Brushing Lacquer One source: PPG (ProLuxe, formerly Deft), the maker of that product | 30 min | 2 h | 24 hservice | — | up to 500 sq ft per gallon | Conditions: 77 °F, 50 % RH; apply at 50–90 °F.Nitrocellulose; 19 % volume solids; not for floors or exterior; clean up with lacquer thinner. |
| Minwax Brushing Lacquer One source: Minwax (Sherwin-Williams), the maker of that product | 30 min | 2 h | 24 hnormal use | — | 125 sq ft per quart | No sanding needed between coats; 3 coats, a fourth if desired. |
| Product | Touch-dry | Recoat | Use | Full cure | Coverage | Thinning and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherwin-Williams Sher-Wood Hi-Bild Precat One source: Sherwin-Williams (industrial wood), the maker of that product | — | 30–50 min | — | — | — | Conditions: 77 °F.Dry to sand or recoat in 30–50 minutes; four-month pot life once catalyzed; a spray product for shops. |
| Product | Touch-dry | Recoat | Use | Full cure | Coverage | Thinning and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Finishes Enduro Pre-Cat Lacquer One source: General Finishes, the maker of that product | 10 min | 1 h | — | 21 days | up to 600 sq ft per gallon | Thinning: Water, GF Extender or GF Accelerator.Conditions: 70 °F, 50 % RH.Despite the name, a water-based self-crosslinking acrylic; touch-dry in 10 minutes; 23 % volume solids. |
| Target Coatings EM6000 One source: Target Coatings (EMTECH), the maker of that product | 25–30 min | — | — | — | — | Water-based acrylic spray lacquer; dry in 25–30 minutes at 3 mils wet; 24 % solids by weight. |
| Product | Touch-dry | Recoat | Use | Full cure | Coverage | Thinning and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gilly's Pure Tung Oil One source: Gilly's, the maker of that product | — | 24 h | — | 28 days | — | Thinning: 50/50 with Gilly’s Citrus Thin.Up to 4 weeks to cure completely; light use is fine before then, per the maker. |
| Product | Touch-dry | Recoat | Use | Full cure | Coverage | Thinning and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finico Linseed Oil One source: Finico (Tembi), the maker of that product | — | 12–24 hwipe off the excess after 15–20 minutes | 48 huse (first damp cleaning after 14 days) | — | 120–230 sq ft per litre | Thinning: Dilute with 30 % oil thinner.First coat 12 hours, later coats 24 hours. Rags can catch fire by themselves: soak them in water or lay them flat to dry. |
| Sunnyside Boiled Linseed Oil One source: Sunnyside Corporation, the maker of that product | — | — | — | — | — | Thinning: Up to 2:1 with mineral spirits.Flax oil with additives to shorten its drying time; the sheet gives no dry times. |
| Product | Touch-dry | Recoat | Use | Full cure | Coverage | Thinning and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watco Danish Oil One source: Rust-Oleum (Watco), the maker of that product | — | —let it soak in 30 minutes, reapply and wait 15 more, then wipe completely dry | 8–10 hready for use | — | 220–300 sq ft per gallon | Thinning: Do not thin.Conditions: Apply at 60–90 °F, RH under 85 %.Wait 72 hours before a polyurethane topcoat; natural drying oils and rosin ester. |
| Product | Touch-dry | Recoat | Use | Full cure | Coverage | Thinning and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osmo Polyx-Oil Original One source: Osmo, the maker of that product | — | 8–10 h | — | — | 24 m² per litre | Thinning: Do not thin.Plant oils and waxes; two thin coats on bare wood, one to renew. |
| Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C One source: Rubio Monocoat, the maker of that product | — | —remove all excess within 15 minutes per zone | 24–36 huse (80 % cured in 2 days) | — | 30–50 m² per litre | Thinning: Do not dilute.Two-part: mix about 3 parts A to 1 part B; one coat; clean with water and soap after 5 days. |
| Product | Touch-dry | Recoat | Use | Full cure | Coverage | Thinning and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard Cutting Board Oil One source: Howard Products, the maker of that product | — | — | — | — | — | 100 % USP mineral oil, for the first oiling of cutting boards and butcher blocks. |
| Behlen Salad Bowl Finish One source: Mohawk Finishing Products (Behlen), the maker of that product | — | 6 h | 72 huse with food (rub out after 24 hours) | — | — | Conditions: 72 °F, 35 % RH.A film finish for bowls, utensils and butcher blocks; wash before contact with food. |
| Product | Touch-dry | Recoat | Use | Full cure | Coverage | Thinning and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minwax Wood Finish One source: Minwax (Sherwin-Williams), the maker of that product | — | 2–3 h | — | — | 500–600 sq ft per gallon | Oil-based penetrating stain; the longer it sits before wiping, the darker the colour; let it dry completely before topcoating. |
| Product | Touch-dry | Recoat | Use | Full cure | Coverage | Thinning and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Finishes Gel Stain One source: General Finishes, the maker of that product | 8+ h | 24+ h | — | 30 days | up to 800 sq ft per gallon | Thinning: Mineral spirits.Conditions: 70 °F, 50 % RH.Oil-based gel stain; GF says to finish with 3 coats of any GF topcoat. |
| Product | Touch-dry | Recoat | Use | Full cure | Coverage | Thinning and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zinsser Bulls Eye Shellac One source: Rust-Oleum (Zinsser), the maker of that product | 10–15 min | 0.33–1 h | — | — | 400–600 sq ft per gallon | Thinning: Denatured alcohol (premixed at a 3 lb cut; Zinsser recommends thinning).Conditions: 70 °F; not above 85 % RH.First coat on bare wood: sand and recoat in about 20–30 minutes; later coats touch-dry in 10–15 minutes and recoat in about an hour. Not recommended under polyurethane. |
| Zinsser Bulls Eye SealCoat One source: Rust-Oleum (Zinsser), the maker of that product | — | 0.75–1 h | — | — | 400–600 sq ft per gallon | Thinning: 1:1 with denatured alcohol as a pre-stain conditioner.Dewaxed shellac sanding sealer, the one Zinsser names for sealing under polyurethane; sand after 45 minutes, recoat in under an hour. |
Shellac's figures are Zinsser's own; to mix or thin it, use the shellac cut calculator. Paste wax, Varathane's interior oil-based polyurethane, Minwax's Wipe-On Poly and Hope's tung oil are not listed yet: we found their figures only in retailer listings or behind pages we could not read, not in the makers' own data.