You’ve decided to use a Rustoleum paint product, and you're eager to get started. But planning is just as important as any product, especially for a paint that fights corrosion from rust.
Luckily, I have plenty of experience with Rustoleum. Let’s find out the answer to the question: how long does Rustoleum take to dry?
Rust-Oleum was originally designed by a Scottish sea captain who noticed that oil stops the spread of rust on metal. He began a line of primer that is rust-resistant, which today has spread out into many types of paint and coatings.
Corrosion-resistant paint has many industrial uses, but it’s also useful in the home. They’re perfect in garages, especially if you have a workstation, and can help keep kitchens and bathrooms mold-free. They also can help keep garden furniture safe, even in the rain.
How long does it take Rustoleum to dry completely? The exact time it takes for your paint to dry may depend on the specific formula you choose. Fortunately, the painted surface you choose to paint (such as wood surfaces, metal surfaces, or even concrete) won’t impact the slow and fast drying spray paint time much.
However, the humidity level will. Moist climates will take longer to dry than arid environments. Additionally, the colder the weather, the longer the surface dry time.
Rustoleum Enamel Paint
Oil-based Rustoleum Enamel Paint helps protect against corrosion and rust on different surfaces materials indoors and outdoors, including wood surfaces, metal surface, concrete, and masonry.
How long does Rustoleum Enamel take to dry?
Enamel paint will usually be dry and tack-free within two to four hours, ready to touch within five to nine hours, and dry after 24 hours or few hours.
During this stage, you can now slightly touch the painted surface but too much pressure on it would smear the surface.
You can put on a second coat after 1-48 hours.
Rustoleum Epoxy Paint
Rustoleum Epoxy Paint is an excellent choice to add shine and as a sealant. It is available for various specific uses, such as appliances or floors. This paint works on metals, masonry, and cement.
How long Rustoleum Epoxy take to dry? Appliance epoxy paint will dry enough to touch in two to four hours, enough to handle in five to nine hours, and will be fully dry in 24 hours.
If you're using epoxy paint for floors, it should be dry enough for light foot traffic in 12-16 hours, be ready for normal foot traffic and placing heavy objects in 24-48 hours, and be fully cured for vehicle traffic in three days.
Rustoleum Clear Coat Paint
Rustoleum Clear Coat is a clear topcoat that provides additional protection from rust, corrosion, and chipping. You can use it as a protective surface coating with or without paint underneath.
The universal version works on any surface, while most others are rated for wood, metal, plastic, masonry, and unglazed ceramics.
How long does Rustoleum Clear Coat take to dry? It will usually be dry to the touch in 20 minutes and fully drying process takes 24 hours. You may add a second coat at any time unless it’s a new finish, in which case you should wait 30 minutes to 48 hours for the second coat.
If you have a problem with Rustoleum clear coat not drying, it’s usually because you’re painting a plastic surface, which requires 5-7 days for full adhesion and durability.
Rustoleum Primer Paint
Rustoleum Primer Paint helps prepare surfaces for painting while providing rust and corrosion protection. You can use it on metal, wood, and other surfaces.
How long does it take for Rustoleum primer to dry? Primer takes 15-30 minutes to drying process to the touch, one to two hours to dry enough to handle, and is fully dry within 48 hours. You can add a second coat any time after 1-48 hours.
Rustoleum Latex Paint
Rustoleum Latex Paint is a long-lasting, highly-durable indoor/outdoor paint that goes on smoothly and provides excellent coverage. It’s versatile enough to work on numerous surfaces, including wood, metal, brick, and cement.
The Rustoleum latex paint dry time makes it dry to the touch within one hour and fully dry in two to four hours, which is when it’s ready for its second coat.
Rustoleum 2x
If you’re looking for spray paint that provides twice the coverage as a coat of regular spray paint, you’ll want to try Rustoleum 2x. It’s ideal for various surfaces, including wood, wicker, metal, and plastic surfaces.
How long does Rustoleum 2x take to dry? Expect it to dry to the touch in 20 minutes and be ready to handle in one hour. The Rustoleum 2x spray paint cure time to be dry is 24 hours. You can add a second coat in 1-48 hours.
Rustoleum Spray Paint
Rustoleum Spray Paint has various formulations to cover a variety of indoor or outdoor surface materials, including wood, wicker, galvanized metal, concrete, masonry, and plastic surfaces.
How long does Rustoleum spray paint take to dry? Rustoleum spray paint to dry time will depend on your specific spray paint. But, how long does it take Rustoleum spray paint to dry in general?
Most are dry to the touch in 30 minutes, ready to handle in one hour, and completely dry in 24 hours. You can add a second coat in 1-48 hours.
Rustoleum High Performance
Rustoleum High-Performance paint provides higher coverage and cover-up level than a traditional paint job. You can use it for superior coverage on metal, wood, concrete, and masonry.
Expect it spray paint takes dry to the touch within two to four hours, ready to handle in five to nine hours, and completely dry in 24 hours.
How Long Should You Wait Between Coats Of Rustoleum?
Your painting project will look better if you understand how long to wait and what to do between coats of Rustoleum.
Factors That Affect The Drying Time of Rustoleum Type Paint
Several factors tend to impact how long it takes Rustoleum type paint to dry; however, temperature and humidity are the most important to consider.
Temperature
The warmer the space’s temperature, the more quickly Rustoleum type paint is likely to dry. As discussed earlier, it generally dries at its average rate when the temperature is between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Humidity
Try to avoid too much humidity if you want your Rustoleum to dry quickly. The best humidity level for painting won’t exceed 40 or 50 percent. You shouldn’t attempt painting with a Rustoleum product if you’re doing so in extremely humid (humidity exceeding 85 percent) environments.
Tips To Speed Up The Dry Time Of Rustoleum Paints
Are you wondering how to make Rustoleum spray paint dry faster? Here are a couple of things you can do to make Rustoleum, as well as other paint types dry faster:
1. Use an Electronic Heater
One method you can try is using an electronic heater or heat gun in the space. Be careful, however. Follow all the instructions that came with your heater, and make sure you know all relevant fire risks.
2. Use a Dehumidifier
You’ll remember we learned that overly humid air makes it difficult for Rustoleum to dry. A dehumidifier will help remove moisture from the air.
Depending on the weather outdoors, you could also use an open window for faster drying process times. Of course, there should always be some kind of ventilation in any space where you apply paint. Keep this and the weather in mind when planning your painting.
Common Rustoleum Paint Drying Questions
Do I need to add a hardener to rustoleum paint?
Yes, if you’re using enamel Rustoleum paint, harden the paint in the form of RockSolid Wet Look Lacquer High Gloss. RockSolid is a Rustoleum-made brand.
How long does rustoleum need to dry before there is rain?
In general, the Rustoleum cure time is 24 hours. You can check the instructions on your specific Rustoleum paint product.
Does rustoleum hold up in the sun?
By itself, Rustoleum paint isn’t recommended for surfaces that will be exposed to the sun (such as a car). However, you can add a top coat of Rustoleum Rock Guard - UV Resistant. This is a clear spray that will add UV resistance.
Conclusion
How long does it take for Rustoleum to dry? Rustoleum dry time depends on the specific paint you’re using.
They can range from hours to days. To be safe, set aside 24 hours for your Rustoleum spray paints to dry. Certain types of paint from this brand may take longer.