How Long Does Polyurethane Take to Dry? [4 Tips to Speed Up]

Have you ever wondered what is polyurethane dry time?

If your wood floor project is causing any delay in work it might be due to polyurethane dry time. Many people are not aware of the time and they end up making things mess up.

Hence it is better to get your facts right if you are planning for this project in the future otherwise it will cost you additional.

Polyurethane is a material made of plastic and is available in numerous forms. It is most flexible and is known for being used in house finishing and to make furniture comfortable, durable, and supportive.

In this guide, we will discuss how long polyurethane takes to dry along with its numerous advantages.

Let’s get started.

What is Polyurethane Dry Time?

If you have been searching for ‘how long does polyurethane take to dry’ but couldn’t get satisfactory answers, you are in the right place.

There are various types of polyurethane. The polyurethane drying time of each type is different. Below I will mention each type along with their drying time so that you can have a complete idea.

Oil Based Polyurethane Dry Time

The first one on the list is oil-based polyurethane which takes almost 6 to 10 hours to completely dry the first coat.

However, it also depends on the manufacturer. According to them, it is better to wait for almost 24 hours.

On the other hand, it also depends on the type of polyurethane because a few quickly dries in a time span of 4 hours while a few takes more than 30 hours long.

Oil-based paints contain a huge amount of organic compounds and have a thick texture as compared to other types that’s why you have to wait for some hours.

Water-Based Polyurethane Dry Time

Here is another type that is water-based and has a less drying time than oil-based polyurethane. In most cases, it takes only 2 hours to let the finish completely dry.

After 2 hours, you can also do a light sanding. Water-based polyurethane is hard so it is better if you wait for 24 hours to avoid any future problems.

The water-based and oil-based polyurethane is further divided into different products that we will discuss below so that whatever product you choose, you get a clear idea that for how long you have to wait.

12 Less Polyurethane Dry Time Products

On each polyurethane product, you will see the dry time as well but ensure that these timings depend on humidity level and temperature level.

It is usually based on 40 and 50 percent humidity and 65 to 75 degrees temperature. You will also notice that all water-based products drying time are less compared to oil-based products.

Let’s cut the story short and talk about those products below in detail.

1. Minwax Product

It is an oil-based product while the Minwax polyurethane dry time is approximately 4-6 hours. However, it is better to wait for at least 24 hours for the second coat.

2. Varathane Product

The second product is water-based and has a drying time of approximately 2 to 4 hours. However, we would suggest using the floor after 24 hours for sanding or other purposes.

3. ZAR Product

It is another water-based product that is easy to apply and takes only 2 hours to fully dry. However, to apply the second coat, you have to wait for at least 24 hours for outstanding results.

4. Deft Defthane Product

It is an oil-based product that takes 6 hours for complete dryness. In order to recoat or start using the floor, better wait for at least 24 hours.

5. Deft Interior Exterior

The next one is water-based polyurethane which takes only 2 hours but waits for 24 hours for light foot traffic.

6. Old Masters

Old masters is another oil-based product that needs to wait for 6 hours for dryness.

7. Minwax One Coat

Minwax fast drying polyurethane dry time is 2 hours as it is water-based but we would suggest waiting for 24 hours for the second coat or reusing the floor.

8. Zar Ultra Max Oil

This water-based product needs 2 hours for dryness but waits for at least 24 hours for further use.

9. Varathane Rustoleum

It has a gloss finishing as it is water-based and 1 hour is enough for this type of product to get dried. It is recommended to be used on wood floors and is best for interior purposes.

10. Minwax Water-based Wipe-On

This water-based product is ultra-fast drying and takes only 2 to 3 hours. It has great durability and easy water clean-up.

11. Minwax Fast-Drying Aerosol

Another water-based product coming your way has an 11.5-ounce quantity. It is surely fast-drying and is ideal for wood surfaces.

12. Total Boart Marine Spar Vanish

One hour is enough to dry this type of product. It is easy to use and quickly dries up. Moreover, it is available in stain and gloss.

Difference Between Drying and Curing Paint

It is one of the main things many people do not know about.

Drying time is basically the difference of time between the first coat and the second coat whereas curing time is when the wood is all set to be used.

When we talk about polyurethane has been dried it means that you are all set to apply the second coat.

Once all the coats are done you can start walking on the floor but putting a lot of pressure soon after drying is not suitable. You should wait for some hours so that your floor remains damage-free.

You should also not add liquid spills on the floor because it takes some days to make your floor fully durable and anti-slip.

How Important is Polyurethane Drying Time

It is important to understand polyurethane dry time due to different reasons and everyone should be aware of them. If you ever plan to buy these products then this point will be quite helpful for you.

If you are using these products for exterior purposes then the drying time will be different than interior applications.

The rain or water can damage the surface if you apply these products on the exterior surface so ensure that how long it takes to dry.

Make sure to keep an eye on weather updates before planning to use polyurethane products on the exterior surface. Usually, they take at least 3 coats but the number can exceed for smooth finishing.

You should be cautious that after how many hours you can apply the second coat. If you do not wait for the first coat to dry, the finishing will be totally ruined and you will end up regretting it.

However, do not wait for too long for the second coat application otherwise the second coat won’t stick properly. Hence, you should never take timings for granted.

The dry time also depends on project length. The lengthy the project the more time it will take to dry. Hence, these are the reasons that depict why it is important to know polyurethane dry time.

Factors That Impact Drying Time of Polyurethane

When you buy polyurethane products, you will see the drying time given by the manufacturers but there are some factors that impact this timing. Let’s talk about those factors in detail.

Temperature

Usually, the drying time of this material depends on 70-degree temperature but it happens when you have applied the material in weather control places.

For storage shed, garage, or driveway, not the same rule is applied.

Low temperature or extremely high temperature can impact the drying time so do not blindly follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

If the temperature is too high, it will reduce the drying time and the material will dry quickly as compared to low temperature. At low temperatures, the material takes more time to dry.

Hence, to speed up polyurethane drying time, keep it at a high temperature.

Humidity Level

The next factor is the humidity level. If you have applied this material in a place where there is high humidity then it will take longer to dry irrespective of the manufacturer’s instructions.

On the other hand, if the humidity level is low, the drying time will reduce. Extreme humidity won’t dry the material any time soon.

Hence, checking humidity after applying the material is another important factor to be considered.

Ventilations

The last factor is ventilation as it also impacts the drying time. If the room is well ventilated then it will allow the polyurethane to dry quickly as compared to the room that is not ventilated.

With the fresh air that occurs in a ventilated room, the floor or furniture quickly dries. In not so ventilated room, there are fewer chances of fresh air that’s why the material doesn’t quickly dry up.

Polyurethane Dry Time on Different Surfaces

The drying time of this material on each surface is different. Let’s have a look at the two highly notable surfaces where this material is usually applied. It includes:

Furniture

Most furniture has crannies and nooks where wood is joined together to make a corner. The polyurethane material mostly stays there so it needs a thick coating to make that surface smooth.

The thick coating takes more time to dry so on furniture you need to wait for many hours.

Moreover, on that surface, the airflow is also less so it takes more time to dry. Both these factors become the biggest reason for furniture to take more time to dry as compared to wood floors.

Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are mostly flat and broad so they don’t take much time. Moreover, they are usually installed in climate control places where airflow is also good.

Hence, the material is quick to try on wood floors than furniture.

How to Make Polyurethane Dry Faster

Do you want to speed up polyurethane drying time? Yes, it is possible with a few factors that are easy to follow and doesn’t require a lot of effort.

Let’s talk about some tips in detail that might help you reduce the polyurethane dry time.

1. Apply the Heat to Reduce Dry time

Applying heat to the material is one of the easiest ways to fast up the drying time. It can be done in different ways including applying a hairdryer or warm blow dryer on the coating.

Moreover, you can use a heater for this purpose as well.

However, if you are not satisfied with these points, you can choose a warm day to apply polyurethane material.

At a warm temperature, the material quickly dries without taking enough hours. Hence, it is the first factor that helps you in reducing the time. Moreover, it is quite easy to follow as well.

2. Decrease the Humidity of the Room

The next point is to decrease the humidity level as mentioned above. If you decrease the humidity level, you will be able to quickly dry the material.

On the other hand, if the humidity is high, it will take hours to dry the material. You can use a room dehumidifier to decrease the humidity of the room.

It is another easy process to follow to reduce the drying time. If you are doing an outside project, you can select a dry day with less humidity.

3. Use Naphtha to Polyurethane

The evaporating rate of Naphtha is high which helps to reduce the dry time if you use it on this material. The higher the evaporation rate, the more quickly it will dry the material.

4. Improve the Ventilation

The last factor is to improve the room ventilation. You can use a fan for air blow to improve the ventilation of the room.

Remember that a well-ventilated room will quickly dry the material as compared to a poorly ventilated room.

Point to Consider

All these factors are applied in order to reduce the drying time and they have nothing to do with the cure time. You have to still wait for hours in order to start using the surface.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s point out a few frequently asked questions for better understanding.

Can You Speed up Polyurethane Drying Time?

You have various factors to speed up the material drying time.

For instance, you can use heat objects in order to reduce the time or you can decrease the humidity level of the room where you are working. Moreover, improving the room ventilation also helps you out.

Will a Fan Help Dry Polyurethane?

A: If the finish is water-based then it surely helps the material to dry quickly. However, if the finishing is oil-based then it won’t have much effect.

Are 2 Coats of Polyurethane Enough?

It depends on the project length but usually, you have to do 3 coats for a rich and smooth surface. You can increase the number if you want the best results.

However, it is important to know the time difference between each coating.

How Do You Know if Polyurethane Is Dry?

When you notice that the surface where you have used this material is not sticky or tacky and doesn’t have a wet appearance, it means that the material is completely dry and ready for the next coat.

Does Polyurethane Dry Tacky?

It takes some hours to make the surface dry. However, if you start using the surface before letting it dry, the surface will become tacky. To avoid this issue, always wait for the dryness.

Conclusion

I hope you have finally got the answer to the frequently asked question ‘how long does polyurethane take to dry?

Polyurethane is a quality material that is specially used on wooden floors but you can also use them for other purposes as well.

Always remember to keep the above mentioned factors in mind regarding dryness time instead of blindly following the manufacturer’s instructions.

I hope this article will help you enough to apply the material in a better way and with a suitable time difference between coatings. Take notes from this article and follow the tips for better results.