If you own a home, there is a good chance that you need to regular paint on new concrete every few years. The process can be long and troublesome, but how long does concrete paint take to dry?
We will answer that question and more in the article below.
If you do not have any prior experience, you might not realize that concrete flooring paint is different from traditional a paint job. The differences are not massive, but they do make a difference.
Notably, the paint you use on concrete is non-reactive and is applied to concrete pores to achieve a uniform, opaque color. This type of paint can chip and peel over time if you do not apply it correctly.
So, a good concrete flooring paint has binders that allow it to contract and expand as it cools and warms. Most people use low-acrylic latex paint for concrete porches and patios to conceal imperfections, fading, cracking, and UV damage.
Concrete paint can be used on almost any concrete surface preparation. Notably, it can be used on projects such as bridges, car park decks, garages, workshops, basement floor, showroom floors, prisons, schools, and hospitals.
Now that you know the basics of outdoor concrete floors paint, we can look at a few of the best brands and paint types.
Valspar Porch and Floor Paint
If you are preparing for a concrete painting project, you should consider using Valspar Porch and Floor Paint. This type of paint is perfect for redecorating your porch. It is great for inside and outside use, making it a solid option for many scenarios.
If you are going to use this paint, you will probably ask the question, how long does it take paint to dry completely on concrete? Fortunately, we have the answer for you.
Typically, you should give this type of paint six to eight hours to dry before moving to the next step. However, if you do not have much experience, you might think it is dry after an hour.
After one hour, you will probably notice that the paint is dry to the touch. While this is true, that does not mean that it is completely dry. As a result, we recommend that you wait for another four to six hours before applying a second coat.
It is even a good idea to leave the first coat for 24 hours if that is possible. Waiting for longer is always a good idea because it ensures that the paint is fully dry and there will be no issues with the second coat.
If you use Valspar paint on concrete, you can expect it to take at least 24 hours to dry. If you try walking on the paint at this time, it might ruin the finish. Furthermore, if you need to drive over the painted surface, you should give it at least 72 hours to dry.
Behr Concrete Paint
Behr is another brand that you can use for your concrete painting project.
If you use this type of paint, it will dry to the touch within four hours at 35 degrees Fahrenheit or 2 degrees Celsius.
However, we recommend that you give it at least eight hours to dry before applying a second coat.
If you are using this type of paint on concrete, it is a good idea to let it sit for 12 to 16 hours so that there is more time for the primer to apply itself.

Acrylic Paint on Concrete Surface
Acrylic paint is another type of paint that you can use on concrete surfaces. If you use this type of paint, it will dry to the touch within an hour. However, you should give it six hours to dry before applying a second coat.
You should then give the surface 24 to 48 hours to dry before you try walking, driving, or placing objects on it.
How Long Should Concrete Paint Dry Between Coats?
How many hours should you wait before applying the second coat of paint? As we mentioned above, most paint brands will appear to drying time shortly after you paint it.
Within an hour, it might seem dry when you touch it. However, that is not the case. Instead, you must give most brands at least six hours to drying time before applying next coat.
Another question you might ask is, how many coats do concrete floor paints or oil based paints need? Typically, prepare concrete floors and surfaces need two coats of paint to achieve a uniform appearance. If you do not give it enough drying time the paint will appear splotchy when it dries.

Factors Affecting the Drying Time of Concrete Flooring Paint
What are the factors that affect the drying time of concrete flooring paint? Three major environmental factors affect drying time, temperature, high humidity, and airflow.
Higher temperature and airflow lead to faster drying times. Conversely, lower humidity levels allow the old paint to dry more efficiently result in less drying time.
The reason high temperatures make the paint dry faster is that they thin the paint. Conversely, low temperatures cause paint to thicken, which increases drying times.
As for high humidity, higher levels make it more difficult to dry. Finally, airflow have great impact on drying time up to a point. However, if you cross that point, too much airflow can cause the paint to crack and wrinkle.
How Can You Make Concrete Paint Dry Faster? (Tips & Tricks)
There are a few things you can do to speed up the paint drying process. Notably, thinner coats will dry faster than thick coats. Alternatively, you can paint one wall at a time.
By doing this, you will give each wall drying time when you move onto other walls. You will find that when you get back to the original wall, enough time may have passed for you to apply another coat. Finally, you can use a hairdryer or heater to speed up the drying process of previously painted surfaces. Remove any existing paint or gunk using a power washer or scraper and wire brush
Common Concrete Paint Drying Questions
How long does concrete paint need to dry before it rains?
Paint should dry for at least four hours before it is exposed to water. However, more time is recommended, and as a result, you should avoid painting on rainy days if that is possible.
How do you know if the concrete is dry enough to paint?
If no condensation appears under the plastic, it is dry enough to paint.You can test for trapped moisture by taping plastic to the paint for 48 hours.
How long on average does floor paint last on concrete?
Floor paint should last for three to five years on concrete. However, if the surface is exposed to more wear and tear, it will need a new coat sooner.
Conclusion
Painting requires different types of paint when you are painting on concrete.
Fortunately, it is not too challenging to figure out which paint types to use and how to apply them.
We hope you got all the information you need in the sections above for painting job.