
Popular Stains Drying Time
Stain Type | Drying Time | Notes |
Behr Oil Based Stain | 1-2 hours | 72 hours needed to fully dry before top ... |
Cabot’s Oil Based Stain | 24-48 hours | Easy to use stain |
Minwax Standard and Performance Stain | 2-12 hours | Recommend 8 hours before Re applying |
Minwax Gel Stain | 24 hours | Re-coat in 8-10 hours |
How long does an oil based stain take to dry?
The standard dry times are pretty similar across the board when it comes to oil based stains and is as follows: Indoors: Most oil based stains will be dry to the touch in 1-2 hours and a recoat can generally be applied in roughly 2 hours. A recommended time of 8 hours (minimum) is recommended before applying a topcoat.
Why does oil based paint take long to dry?
Other Factors That Affect Paint Drying Time
- Ventilation is key. If you cannot keep the windows open or otherwise provide proper ventilation, expect paint to take longer to dry.
- Application method matters. As a general rule, thin coats of paint dry faster than thick, heavy coats. ...
- Err on the side of patience. ...
Can you put water based stain over oil based?
Yes, you can. Once an oil-based stain is properly dry, polycrylic can be applied similarly to water-based polyurethane. Simply follow the instructions above for the best results. The key to successfully applying water-based polyurethane over an oil-based stain is to ensure the stain is fully dry.
How long does oil based wood stain off gas?
While these oil-based products can off-gas for months or years, the most severe off-gassing occurs in the first few days after application. For a greener alternative to traditional floor finishes, stick to water-based products, which contain around 50 to 250 grams of VOCs per liter.

How can you tell if oil based stain is dry?
There are several ways to determine whether a surface is dry: OIL BASED products are dry if they are no longer tacky and do not emit a smell. WATER BASED products are dry if they no longer feel cool to the touch and a powder will form with light sanding.
Why isn't my oil based stain drying?
What is this? The most likely reason your wood stain didn't dry properly is there was too much excess stain on the wood. Traditional oil-based wood stain contains dyes and pigments to add color, and solvents to keep the stain in liquid form.
How long does oil based stain need to dry before polyurethane?
How Long to Let Oil-Based Stains Dry Before Polyurethane. Oil-based stains take anywhere from 6 hours to 24 hours to dry, but that is usually when the weather conditions are unfavorable. Under normal circumstances, the stain should be dry and ready for polyurethane in 8 hours.
How long does Minwax oil based stain take to dry?
Minwax's Standard and Performance (Oil Based) Stains: The drying time for Minwax's standard and performance stains require the same amount of "recommended" drying time for all of them which is 8 hours but re-coat times will vary depending on what product you use (2-12 hours on average).
How do you make oil based stain dry faster?
Heat Drying. You can also blow heated air onto the wood's surface to dry the stain. Heat best works on oil-based stains; which could take some time depending on the type of wood or the stain's brand. The best heat to dry the stain with is through direct exposure to the sun for three hours.
What if my stain is still sticky?
It is imperative to wipe away the excess stain once the coat has been applied; otherwise, the sticky spot will remain. The best way to get this method to work well is to apply another coat of stain and then wipe it off immediately, not giving it time to dry.
Does stain get darker as it dries?
Apply a second coat of stain after the first has dried fully. This will usually produce a darker coloring, but it adds a step to the process and slows production. Substitute a glaze or gel stain for the liquid stain. Glazes and gel stains usually contain a higher ratio of pigment.
How do you speed up the drying time of stain?
How to Make Stain Dry Faster (10 ways)Add a Compatible Drying Agent to the Wood Stains. ... Use a Space Heater. ... Turn Up the Thermostat. ... Use a Dehumidifier. ... Use Your Indoor Air Conditioners to Decrease the Indoor Humidity Level. ... Use Portable Fans or Your Overhead Fan to Increase the Airflow. ... Open the Windows to Increase Airflow.More items...•
Why is Minwax stain still tacky?
Penetrating wood stains are not intended to be a surface finish. If applied too thickly, they won't dry properly and will remain tacky to the touch. This can also happen if the wood wasn't stripped and sanded completely down to bare wood, since the stain will sit on the surface rather than soaking into the wood.
How long should stain sit before wiping?
Wipe the stain off immediately if you'd like a lighter tone. But for a deeper tone, leave the stain on the wood for 5 to 10 minutes before wiping it off. Be sure to wipe off all the excess stain going in the direction of the grain of the wood.
Does oil-based stain lighten as it dries?
Stains lighten as they dry, then return to their damp color when a finish is applied. So the quick method of seeing the color you'll get with the finish applied is to look at the stain while it is still damp.
Is oil-based or water based stain better?
If the wood is going to be in direct exposure to wind, rain, and sunlight, an oil-based stain is the best choice. This is because it is more durable than a water-base and will provide a more complete protective layer against these elements.
How soon after staining can I apply polyurethane?
How long should you wait between applying a stain and a polyurethane coating? Considering that most commonly used stains take between 12 to 24 hours to dry and cure completely, it's good practice to wait a full 24 hours before applying polyurethane sealer to your workpiece after your stain has been applied.
What happens if you polyurethane over wet stain?
If you apply polyurethane over tacky stain, solvents that are included in the wood stain will gas out and cause problems to cure the polyurethane with adhesion. Solvents, moisture, and water particles that are included in wood stain evaporate when you keep the wood dry after proper staining.
How long should stain dry before Wipe on Poly?
Answer: At least 24 hours. If you apply oil-based polyurethane too quickly to a gel-based stain, you'll end up wiping off the gel stain in patches, giving your project a blotchy finish. I'd wait for a minimum of 24-hours before applying polyurethane over a gel-based stain.
Can you put water-based polyurethane over oil-based stain?
Yes, you can apply water-based polyurethane over oil-based stain. You may be thinking, “But oil and water don't mix,” and you'll be right. You won't be mixing them; you'd just be applying the polyurethane over the stain.
How Long Does Oil-Based Stain Take To Dry?
Oil-based stain takes the least amount of time to dry, and you can expect it to be dry within just a couple of hours in the right conditions.
How long does it take for water based stain to dry?
Water-based stains take a little bit longer to dry than oil-based. We say you should way at least 12-24 hours to paint a second coat of water-based stain, and at least 24-48 hours before you apply polyurethane finish.
What Supplies Will You Need For Staining Wood?
This way, you avoid constant trips back and forth to the garage, the shed, or (god forbid) the hardware store.
What is the best way to paint over a stain?
Most painters are painting a thin layer of polyurethane over the top of the stain after it's finished to create a scratch-free surface that is also water and UV-resistant.
What to use after staining wood?
After the stain has dried to satisfaction, we recommend applying a thin coat of polyurethane (or another type of sealer) over the top of the stain job to protect the wood from UV rays, water, and scratching.
Why is reading the directions for use important when staining?
Reading the directions for use is vital when staining because each stain product is different.
How to get the fastest dry time on stain?
The best way to get the fastest dry time on stain projects is by wiping off the excess stain before it dries. This will also help prevent blotches in the stain.
Deck Stain Drying Time?
In general, most deck stains will dry between 1-12 hours but not all deck stain types and brands are manufactured the same and will lead to different drying times. The weather, age/type of the wood, coats applied, and application method also play a major role as to how fast a deck stain will dry.
Water-Based Deck Stain Drying Time
A water-based deck stain will dry much faster than an oil-based deck stain. If the temperature is above 60 degrees, most water-based stains will dry within 1-4 hours. Rain should not affect the stain as long as it is fully dry. Wait 24 hours for full cure before heavy furniture is added to the deck.
Oil-Based Deck Stain Drying Time
Oil-based deck stains while easier to apply can take longer to dry. With the temperature above 60 degrees, an oil-based deck stain typically dries in 4-24 hours. Most can take rain within 12 hours though as water will not “wash” out the oil stain from the wood. Wait 24-72 hours for full cure before walking on the deck and replacing furniture.
How Long For Deck Stain to Dry?
Any questions on how long it will take for your deck stain to dry? Please ask below with answers to these questions:
