So you've applied your first coat of chalk style paint to your furniture and now you're probably wondering "how long do I have to wait before I can start the second coat?". We've got all the answers to your dry time-related questions in this tutorial! Keep reading to learn our best practices for dry time between coats, after your final coat, and even dry times for many of our other furniture refinishing products like glaze, wax, top coats, and more!
When you're diving into a painting project, the urge to get it all done now is real—but when it comes to flawless, long-lasting finishes, patience truly pays off. One of the most common questions we get at Country Chic Paint is: “How long should I wait between coats?” Whether you're applying Paint, Wax, or any of our Specialty Finishes, giving each layer enough time to dry is key to achieving a smooth, professional-looking result. Learn more about our products & their drying times we suggest:
Paint:
After applying your first coat of Country Chic Paint, allow it to dry for 1–2 hours between coats. This gives the paint time to set up properly so your next layer glides on smoothly without dragging or lifting the first.
Top Coats:
For high traffic furniture, we recommend sealing your paint with 3-4 coats of Clear Coat, allowing it to dry for 2-3 hours between each coat. Although the full cure time for Clear Coat is 3-4 weeks, you can start using your piece after just 24 hours. Be gentle with it for the first few weeks and avoid rigorous cleaning to avoid damaging the finish.
Glaze:
After applying any of our Glazes to your furniture pieces, keep in mind they will dry fairly quickly, so it's best to work in small sections. We suggest waiting 1-2 hours before you add any additional coats.
Hemp Oil:
When using Hemp Oil, remember to give the paint about 12 hours to dry before applying a thin coat and letting it absorb. If you're applying a second layer, give it at least 1–2 hours to soak in before adding more. Although the full cure time for Hemp Oil is 3-4 weeks, you can start using your piece sooner. Just be gentle with it for the first few weeks and avoid rigorous cleaning to avoid damaging the finish.
When using Country Chic Paint, we always suggest waiting 24-48 hours before placing items on your final project to make sure the paint has been given enough time to properly cure.
Watch our tutorial video as Rosanne goes over how thick your paint coats actually should be & the drying time in between!
Waiting 1–2 hours between coats may feel like forever when you’re excited to see the final result—but trust us, your patience will pay off in a smooth, even, and durable finish. Drying times can vary slightly depending on humidity, temperature, and how thickly the product is applied, so when in doubt, a little extra time never hurts!
Did you enjoy our video tutorial? Make sure to Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get access to all our videos! We would love to hear what projects you're working on, so make sure to leave a comment or post a picture of your project to our Facebook page or Instagram (@countrychicpaint)!
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