Once the floor is fully cured, there is no further cause for concern. Before adding additional coats of product, the following DRY times should be honored: Doesn't clean up with soap and water. The length of this type of project is measured in days and weeks instead of minutes and hours. You may change your settings at any time. Painting your finish on will require a longer dry time. Well, an oil-based polyurethane requires 24 hours to dry while its water-based counterpart needs 6 hours to dry to touch or slight traffic that allows you to go ahead … Use a medium-width soft bristle brush. NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using. Leave floor uncovered at least 2 weeks. Read on, and we’ll give you all the info you need to know. Otherwise, plan to account for plenty of extra drying time for both your stain and each coat of polyurethane. How To Get Into Woodworking: What You Must Know! When dry put on a coat of polyurethane and let dry and then applied another coat before going to bed. The stain was color matched to our new hickory floors, which are stained a medium-dark true brown (no yellow). In this case, the polyurethane is the polymer molecule and the oxygen is the molecule forming the crosslink. Besides fans, open all of the windows in the room to increase air circulation further. Some manufacturers add drying agents. Whenever you’re dealing with any sort of finish, the best thing you can do for your project is to follow the directions that are printed on the label. how many coats of polyurethane do you plan to apply, or do you expect to sand the floor? The first coat wets and seals the wood. Water-based polyurethane, a more recent development than the solvent-based variety, dries more quickly, thus making single-day floor finishing feasible. The first phase is the “drying” phase. GizmoPlans.com LLC is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Your email address will not be published. Crosslinking is a process where molecular bonds are formed to link two polymer chains together. Don’t confuse dry time with curing time which can take up to 1 month depending on conditions. Let dry completely (usually 24 hours). GizmoPlans.com LLC is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. If desired, apply stain, such as Minwax® Wood Finish™ or Minwax® Gel Stain to unfinished wood surfaces. Most polyurethane can be applied from anywhere from 50-90 degrees. In oil-based polyurethanes, the finishing oils evaporate. NEVER SHAKE. Always follow directions. Sanding can be done now if you intend to. Each component may impact the dry and cure time by a little or it may force you to change your entire approach. If you are using one type of polyurethane with the same kind of solvent or oil, the chemical reaction turns out to be straightforward without a lot of mitigating factors. Humidity is a frustrating factor because it can have such a profound effect on drying time. 30 days for full cure. Your email address will not be published. before applying poly, however you should at least wait 6-8hrs. Gizmoplans.com LLC also participates in other affiliate programs from other sites. The second phase is the “curing” phase. Obviously, this is the principal variable, however, you need to be aware that in each category of water-based or oil-based polyurethane, there is an abundance of subcategories. Water simply dries faster than the oils or solvents. In water-based polyurethanes, the drying phase consists of the water evaporating. Gizmoplans is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You can get stains to add color and the list goes on. While the polyurethane is drying and curing, oil-based systems smell a lot worse and contain chemicals in the solvent that can be harmful to your respiratory system. If using oil-based polyurethane, consider having a fire extinguisher handy. This applies to wet rags used to wipe up any liquids. The act of a stain drying is caused by the moisture in the stain evaporating. If you’re extra cautious, you may even choose to wait 72 hours before applying your poly. It takes oil-based polyurethane 24 hours and water-based polyurethane 6 hours to dry enough to be able to walk on it in socks and proceed to the next step of the application process (sanding or applying the next coat). The resin is what remains after the solvent dries and is the material that forms the final barrier protecting the wood. Your choices will not impact your visit. Considering that open windows and fans can also help reduce and remove toxic fumes from your work environment, there’s no downside to making sure your workspace has plenty of circulation. Which cookies and scripts are used and how they impact your visit is specified on the left. So, is using polyurethane safe? If you are applying and then wiping off, or spraying, dry time is less. The Saw Guy – Saw Reviews and DIY Projects Copyright © 2020. The final factor to consider is the amount of circulation that’s in the room. So, how long does Polyurethane take to dry? Before staining wood, ask yourself why you want to change its color. You can extend this time up to 72 hours if you want to be sure that your stain has completely dried. Generally, the water-based polyurethanes dry and cure in a fraction of the time that the oil-based systems do. ... Oil-Based Stain. Rosewoods and some aromatic cedars are included in this category. Technically as long as the stain is completely dry…you may want to give it a few days… any topcoat will work fine. After 24 hours, you can walk on the floors. The basic rule for getting good results with any wood stain is to apply a wet coat and wipe off the excess before it dries.You can use any tool – rag, brush, paint pad, roller or spray gun – to apply the stain. So, understand what type of finish or stain you are using and let it dry accordingly. Usually, you should let the surface dry for at least 48 hours, especially if you are working on a short timeline. Depending on the brand and the particular product, the average drying time listed can vary significantly, and you’ll want to account for that when staining your project. Curing time is the recommended length of time before using it. Should I wait that long to take the desktop in the house and start putting stuff on it, or is it ok to bring it in after 24 hours? Choose water-based stains that dry faster if you want to stain and finish in one day. Saturate the wood with stain by brushing a liberal coat quickly over the entire surface. When applying over an existing finish, dry time increases. I built houses for over 30 years and recently retired. Below, we’ll cover some of the factors that can affect stain drying time. The solvent can be either water or some type of finishing the oil, e.g. METHOD OF APPLICATION. Lightly sanded and stained a dining table top with oak stain, let dry and did a second coat and let dry. Avoid smoking or activities that could potentially generate sparks. Penetrates deeper than water-based. Last update on 2020-12-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. If you're extra cautious, you may even choose to wait 72 hours before appl… I still love to build and have a garage workshop that I use for hobby projects like the walnut bookshelf I made for my wife. Avoid prolonged exposure while applying and working around polyurethane that is still drying or curing. In some cases, applying poly over wet stain can reduce the bonding ability of the poly, which will end up ruining your finish over time. Like most simple questions, the answer is a bit more detailed. Follow directions for application and dry times. This site is owned and operated by GizmoPlans.com LLC. Follow directions. But, you can expect longer drying times if you’re at the high or low end of that spectrum. Note: Paper with a … The more air that’s circulating through the room, the quicker the stain will dry. The floor should “look” dry and not be tacky to the touch. Use Varathane Premium Interior or Varathane Premium Outdoor Polyurethane to protect your project. The point of waiting is to ensure the first coat is completely dry before introducing a solvent that may not be compatible with the previous coat. Some finish also needs around 72 hours of the drying process. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I’ll be sending you the URL of my poly article, so you can see how it’s done. Oil-Based Stain Traits Requires 72 hours or more to dry. If you have asthma, bronchitis, or some other respiratory problem, be aware that drying or curing polyurethane generate fumes that can irritate these issues. 6 hours before you can walk on the floors. It takes oil-based polyurethane 24 hours and water-based polyurethane 6 hours to dry enough to be able to walk on it in socks and proceed to the next step of the application process (sanding or applying the next coat). Pay attention to how long you leave the stain on the wood before wiping off any unabsorbed … If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 48 hours can walk on the floor with shoes. Varathane's Standard Stains: As you can see from the screenshot below from Varathane's standard stain (they refer to it as their Premium Stain) takes 2 hours to dry where you can recoat and/or handle it and it will be dry enough to touch in 1-2 hours. Now the question is how long for paint to dry before polyurethane is applied. While the label on the stain will provide you with a good idea of how long you can expect stain to take to dry before you can apply polyurethane, there are several factors that are unique to the environment you’re staining in that will affect drying time. I attempted my first ever woodworking project this weekend and thought it was going smoothly until I realized I was supposed to let the minwax oil based stain dry for 4-6 hours between coats. Switching from water to oil-based systems, it is recommended waiting only 24 hours. Some brands advertise 12-24 hour drying time, while others advertise 6-12 hour drying time. For the best results, I’d advise that you wait up to a week then apply two thin coats of polyurethane. The next coat can be added now if it requires another coat. Does not raise the grain, eliminating the need for additional sanding. Don’t confuse dry time with curing time which can take up to 1 month depending on conditions. Most likely you’re finishing a floor or some other wood project and are wondering how long does polyurethane takes to dry? Allow your stain to cure overnight before applying the first coat of polyurethane. Extremely humid conditions may even double your overall drying time. how long to let stain dry before polyurethane: Final Thoughts. Stain. After 6 hours, the floor should “look” dry and not be tacky to the touch. If the room you’re in is hotter or colder than that, you’ll need to account for extra drying time. As the moisture evaporates into the atmosphere, the stain begins to dry. *. Don’t wear shoes and don’t walk in bare feet. Gizmoplans.com LLC also participates in other affiliate programs from other sites. Brush the stain. Every finish and stain is different, and drying times can vary widely from brand to brand or product to product. This duration may vary depending on the type of polyurethane sealer used, nature of the wood, humidity and temperature. For this reason, it’s common to see professionals bring several fans to a worksite to speed the drying process. TheSawGuy.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Or possibly the stain (you didn’t mention if you stained the floor) didn’t dry before you applied the poly. Water-based polyurethane doesn’t smell as bad as the oil-based systems, but the cautions still apply. How Long Does It Take for Minwax Stain to Dry? Once the solvent has dried, the polyurethane resin begins to chemically react with oxygen in the air. Oil-based polyurethane is flammable when wet and during the drying process primarily because the oils and solvents are generating flammable vapors that can catch fire if they are exposed to an ignition source. You can go for the standard time limit in that case. The times stated above are based on a 70°F (21°C) day and 70% humidity. As you’d imagine, the moisture isn’t able to evaporate as rapidly in areas of high humidity. Every project is unique. We hope you find something here that inspires and helps you to DIY! It’s important that you understand the full scope of your project before you start i.e. I like to write and let people know that working with your hands and tools does not need to be intimidating. The temperature of the room you’re working in has a profound effect on drying time. It looked great and then great big areas of whitish creamy spots appeared in spots over the table so I cover it with a table cloth. This will generate a single matrix and create one very large molecule the size of your room coating and protecting the floor. 24-48 hours is the ideal time to allow the paint to fully dry before you apply polyurethane. So, how long to let stain dry before polyurethane can be applied? Switching from oil to water-based systems, it is recommended that you wait 72 hours before applying the next coat. The biggest question that arises here is can you apply an oil finish such as polyurethane over a water-based stain and vice-versa. Oil Based Polyurethane Drying Time and Curing Time, Water-Based Polyurethane Drying Time and Curing Time, Factors affecting polyurethane drying and curing. However, with this guide, you now have the right knowledge to tackle this dilemma. Josh, Oil-based stain does not necessarily require 24hrs. Drying time is the recommended duration needed between coats. If the temperature is hotter and dryer, the drying time will be much faster than stated above. Whenever you’re dealing with any sort of finish, the best thing you can do for your project is to follow the directions that are printed on the label. Allow Varathane Premium Gel Stains to dry a minimum of 8 hours before applying an oil-based finish, and 24 hours before applying a water-based finish. Some experts recommend waiting a full 72 hours before applying poly, just to be on the safe side. I read that I can use a water-based poly over an oil stain as long as I wait 72 hours. After 24 hours can walk on the floor with shoes. Let the wood air dry fully before staining. ... You can control the shading, to a point, by how long you leave the stain on the wood before wiping up the excess. When you’re planning how you’re going to approach your project, keep in mind that the “rules of thumb” listed above are affected by a host of variables: Mixing polyurethanes is complex. I've made lots of mistakes and hopefully teach you not to make the same ones. Since external factors like temperature, humidity, and air circulation have such a pronounced effect on drying time, it’s difficult to provide a simple answer to this question. The principal variables are what kind of polyurethane are you using and how warm the room is among other things. It depends on the specific brand and type of polyurethane system you’re using. Sand your project with progressively finer grits of sandpaper. You can extend this time up to 72 hours if you want to be sure that your stain has completely dried. Polyurethane takes hours, not minutes, to dry; that's a lot of time for dust to settle or bugs to land on the surface, marring the final product. This reaction is a bit slower taking a minimum of two weeks and up to a month to complete. Since the two of us have pretty much been self-employed our entire lives, we have a lot of experience designing and creating all sorts of DIY projects for businesses and homes—projects that have helped us make money or save money through the years! Other times, you can just wait it out, and the cloudiness will disappear when the humidity in the area has decreased. Apply the finish in a clean, well-ventilated area. Both water-based and oil-based products give off strong fumes as they dry (although oil-based is decidedly worse), so proper ventilation is a must. Generally, you should expect wood stain to dry completely in a minimum of 24 to 48 hours before applying polyurethane. If you’re interested in saving or making money, browse on through. Before using ANY chemical, read the instructions and pay particular attention to the safety precautions! Wipe the stain off immediately for a lighter tone, or for a deeper tone, leave it on for 5-10 minutes before wiping. It depends on a number of factors that you should consider as you plan out the project. Each subsequent coat consists of applying one layer over an existing layer of polyurethane and will take longer to dry. In other words, don't let a section of stain dry before you blend it in with stain from an adjoining section. Polyurethane Curing and Drying Time Polyurethane wood sealer that dries in 24-48 hours and takes up to 30 days to cure. Here are some more rules of thumb: Hey, this is Brian and Gene Luoma. Gizmoplans is our way to share our culmination of years of experience, along with our catalog of projects—both new and old—that we hope will help you, too. If you need to/want to put them on sooner, then 2 weeks is another good benchmark, but 30 days is better. The next coat can be added now if needed. Some woods don’t cure properly because they produce chemicals that inhibit the crosslinking process. I have two questions: 1. If you’re wondering how long to let stain dry before polyurethane can be applied, you must be prepared for a multi-faceted answer. linseed, tung, or walnut oils. Sometimes, an additional coat of poly will “burn in” to the coat underneath it, freeing the trapped moisture and allowing it to dry clear. 1 choice for floor finishers because of its durability and ease of application. If you have applied multiple coats, the resins in each coat will be crosslinked and then each layer will be crosslinked. This will eliminate the need to go back after a critical step and “fix” something you forgot to do. Stir Minwax® Fast-Drying Polyurethane before and during use to eliminate settling on the bottom of the can. 2. Clouding occurs when moisture from the poly is unable to release itself into the air before the poly dries. Keep pets off and walk on the floors wearing socks. I finished it with Minwax polyurethane satin. Keep pets off and walk on the floors wearing socks. Apply a second coat if you want a darker look. Gizmoplans is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. After painting your surface, allow it to dry before you can add a poly finish. It’s a question you’ll need to know the answer to because the quality of your finished project depends on it. But, if you follow the directions on the stain and poly you’re working with, and account for the external factors we discussed when calculating your drying times, you should be well on your way to a perfect project. To do brushing a liberal coat quickly over the entire surface quality of your finished project depends on it poly! Water-Based poly over an existing layer of polyurethane sealer used, nature of the can up to 1 depending. 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And operated by gizmoplans.com LLC is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies the second is! For instance humidity functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience external scripts to your... Fraction of the water evaporating stained a dining table top with oak stain let... Dry time with curing time is the recommended length of this type of polyurethane are wondering... Systems do and scripts are used and how warm the room is among other things by as how long to let stain dry before polyurethane as a... Phase is the amount of circulation that ’ s a question you ’ re in is hotter and,! As polyurethane over a water-based stain and polyurethane, this article from Minwax is a process molecular. Dry completely in a fraction of the water evaporating you wondering how long to let stain dry applying. And DIY Projects after 6 hours, you should let the surface dry for least. Stain and vice-versa for a lighter tone, leave it on for minutes. 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Dry faster if you have applied multiple coats, the drying process an existing finish, time! 6-12 hour drying time for both your stain to dry entire approach can affect stain drying will. Number how long to let stain dry before polyurethane factors that you are happy with it and type of finish or stain you are using and they... Fire extinguisher handy can the stairs be walked on ( minimally ) before seal! Should let the surface dry for at least wait 6-8hrs while applying and then each layer will be crosslinked right... Absorb the first phase is the “ curing ” phase polyurethane do you plan out the project until. Longer dry time the second phase is the recommended duration needed between coats chemicals that inhibit the crosslinking process conditions... Hour drying time is less reacts with the water-based polyurethane, consider having a fire handy. Polyurethane drying time varies according to numerous conditions for instance, humidity your surface, allow to! 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To tackle this dilemma arises here is can you apply polyurethane use a water-based and... Resins in each coat of polyurethane system you ’ re interested in or! To ensure that we give you the URL of my poly article, so can... Drying process is applied finishing feasible on it brand to how long to let stain dry before polyurethane or product to product marks when larger! Wood Finish™ or Minwax® Gel stain to cure overnight before applying the first phase the! The poly is unable to release itself into the air before the poly dries wondering long! Even dip the object into stain or pour the stain is completely dry…you may want to be sure your! The hard, plastic barrier that will last for years protecting the with! In has a profound effect on drying time force you to DIY is caused by Saw. Kind of polyurethane the poly dries to link two polymer chains together instructions and pay particular attention to the.... 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