Enamel paint is popular among Florida homeowners due to its durability against weather and longevity on indoor and outdoor surfaces. Because the percentage of pigments and solids is high in enamel paint, it can take longer to dry and cure than ordinary paints — though you can shorten the drying time.
At UCI Paints, we manufacture enamel-based paints that are made to handle the humid conditions in South Florida. Here’s what you need to know about enamel paint’s drying time and what you can do to shorten it.
The drying time for enamel paint depends on whether you use oil-based or water-based paint. With oil-based enamel paints, you can expect drying time to take between 8 to 24 hours due to its thickness. Water-based enamel paint can dry within 1 to 2 hours. Several factors can affect drying time, which we’ll go into further detail about below.
Once your enamel paint is dry to the touch, the curing process will take about two weeks to complete. The paint will be much less vulnerable to scratching and other damage as it hardens.
To avoid days of drying time, read the label on the back of the paint can to find out how long it will take for the enamel paint to air dry. And if you’re painting in a humid climate, it’s a good idea to plan and give that paint more time to dry.
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