Polyurethane is a fantastic substance for coating floors and making sure they last for as long as possible. It’s easy to apply, clear, and protects surfaces from both scuffs and water damage, so it’s an invaluable tool for use in the home. Anyone can apply polyurethane, and it’s often a key part of a DIY project.
In general, you’ll need to add more than one coat if you want to properly protect a surface, and that might leave you wondering how long the polyurethane needs to be left to dry in between coats. It’s important to let the polyurethane dry fully before you put the next coat down, but this will significantly increase how long your project will take.
How long to wait between coats of polyurethane? You will usually need to wait up to 4 hours for a coat of water-based polyurethane to dry. Oil-based polyurethane will take longer, and you probably be waiting for up to 24 hours if you are using this. The environmental conditions will have a big impact on how fast your polyurethane dries, but this should give you some guidance.
How Long Does It Take Polyurethane to Dry?
The first thing you need to do is check whether you are using water-based or oil-based polyurethane, because this makes a big difference to the drying times. Although major improvements have been made to drying times, oil-based polyurethane usually takes between 10 and 24 hours. Water-based polyurethanes may only take between 2 and 4 hours to dry.
You should always check the container to see what the manufacturer’s recommended drying time is, as this will vary between brands. You should also be aware that the environment you are using the polyurethane in will make a big difference to the drying time. If you are applying it somewhere cold and damp, it will take far longer to dry than in a warm, dry environment.
Ideally, the room you are working in should be between 60 and 90 degrees F, with a humidity rating of lower than 60 percent. If necessary, use a dehumidifier and turn on a heater to keep the temperatures high. This will make a massive difference to the drying times. If you can’t do this, extend the recommended drying times to as much as double, or even more.
If you are in a hurry to get your project completed, using a water-based polyurethane is usually going to be vastly preferable to using an oil-based one. These dry far more quickly, so it’s possible to get multiple coats down in a single day, and this considerably speeds up your projects. They are also more environmentally friendly and they are less dangerous to breathe in.
However, you’ll need fewer coats of oil-based polyurethane, which can make this a preferable option in some situations. Remember to thoroughly ventilate your working space if you are going to use an oil-based polyurethane, and wear protective gear to prevent yourself from breathing harmful VOCs.
How Many Coats of Polyurethane Do You Need?
The number of coats needed will vary depending on your project, but in most cases, at least 3 coats of polyurethane will be necessary. If you’re coating hardwood floors, it’s best to use 4 coats if possible. This will protect the floor for years. Fewer coats will wear down more quickly, and will leave the floor vulnerable to damage.
If you are using an oil-based polyurethane, you’ll probably only need 2 coats, as these are generally more hard-wearing and thicker. If your oil-based polyurethane only takes 10 hours to dry, you might be able to do this in a 2-day span, but it will usually take longer than if you’re using a water-based polyurethane.
It’s important to remember that you need to sand in between coats of polyurethane. Taking the time to do this helps to make sure you get a really even, glossy finish. It removes any dust and imperfections in your current coat, and makes it perfectly flat. It also improves the adhesion of the next layer.
Allow the current coat of polyurethane to fully dry, and then sand it thoroughly using a fine-grit sandpaper. Wipe the floor down with a damp rag to remove the dust, and then leave it to completely dry again.
You can then apply the next coat of polyurethane, and leave it to dry. Sanding between each coat is the best way to ensure that your floor (or another coated surface) looks great.
If you don’t sand in between coats, you may find that the top coats flake off, and the polyurethane does not last as long. Taking a little extra time to do this is key to a beautiful finish.
How Soon Can You Walk on Polyurethane?
Your final coat of polyurethane should be allowed to dry for at least 24 hours before you start subjecting the area to foot traffic of any kind. You will then need to allow around 4 or 5 days before the room starts to get more regular use, and a full week before people are walking around in the room normally again.
Don’t put furniture back in the room for at least 4 days after the final coat of polyurethane has been laid down. If you don’t give the varnish enough time to dry, there’s a high chance that your polyurethane will be marked by feet or furniture, and these marks may be permanent unless you sand and refinish the floor.
Being patient about the final coat is key. This allows the polyurethane to completely cure and harden, and maximizes the quality of the finish. This is true whether you used water-based or oil-based polyurethane to cover the floor; both require several days to fully cure before they can be used.
Final Thoughts
The wait between your polyurethane coats will depend on whether you are using water-based or oil-based polyurethane, and drying times can range between 2 and 4 hours for the former, and 10 and 24 hours for the latter. Choose your polyurethane type with care to suit your particular project, and sand between each coat.
