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If you’re busy with a DIY project and must apply multiple coats of stain to your wooden item, you might have wondered, “How long should I wait between coats of stain?” Below I’ll examine the average drying times of different stains and what factors influence the interval between coats.
Contents
How Long Between Coats of Stain
Although some stain products only require 2 to 4 hours between coats, most manufacturers recommend waiting up to 24 hours. While several factors influence how long you’ll need to wait between coats, it’s best to just wait at least 1 full day.
The quintessential factor when applying additional coats of stain is that the wood is (mostly) dry before you apply the next coat. Applying another coat of stain to wet wood often results in restarting the project. Most products require wiping away the excess stain with a dry clean cloth after 20 to 30 minutes.
The best method of determining how long to wait between coats of stain is to look at the manufacturer’s specifications on the product label. The information they give is fantastic for working out the total drying time, the interval between coats, and how many coats you’ll need.
Type of Stain
Many types of stains and wood finishing products are on the market. The type of stain plays a significant role in how long the interval between coats is.
Three commonly used stains are:
Oil-Based Wood Stains
These popular stains take between 12 and 24 hours to fully dry (and cure), but you can usually add another coat after 2 to 4 hours.
Water-Based Stains
These stains are renowned for their fast drying speed. Water-based stains seep into the wood quicker and are ready for the next coat after roughly 1 hour.
Gel-Based Stains
Gel-based wood stains usually require slightly longer than water or oil-based stains. On average, you’re looking at 8 to 24 hours between coats.
This relatively new product has a thick, “pudding-like,” consistency that takes longer to seep into the wood.
There are several other types of stains, including:
- Lacquer stain
- Metal dye stain
- Shellac
- Varnish stain
- Water-soluble dye
Type of Finish
Most people who use a wood stain opt for a polyurethane finish, as it provides a suitable weather-resistant coating, which remains “on top” of the wood (unlike the stain, which seeps in).
If you plan on using a polyurethane finish, the recommended wait is between 24 and 72 hours (depending on the product). However, leaving a 48-hour gap is a suitable middle ground.
Most manufacturers suggest waiting at least 24 hours after applying the final stain for water-based finishes. Allowing the stain to dry completely makes you less likely to “flush” it out with a water-based product.
Other Factors Which Influence How Long Between Stains
The specific timeframe you’ll need to follow between coats of stain varies according to the product specifications, environmental conditions, type of wood, and how “thickly” the preceding coat was applied.
Brand of Stain and Manufactures Recommendations
The length of time between coats is impacted by the brand you purchase. Some brands specify at least 4 hours, while others require only 2 hours.
Examples of time between coats from popular brands:
- Minwax – You can add a coat of Minwax after about 12 hours with the oil-based stain, 3 hours with the water-based stain, and 24 hours for the gel-based stain.
- Old Masters – After 8 hours of drying, you can add a second layer of gel stain, while their fast-drying oil-based stain is ready for an oil-based finish/second coat after 30 minutes.
- Exoshield – Although the product dries enough after 20 to 30 minutes to be wiped down with a cloth, you’ll want to wait at least 24 hours before applying additional coats.
Type of Wood
Whether you’re staining softwood, hardwood, or pressure-treated wood makes a difference in the length of time between coats.
Softwoods usually absorb more stain, “pulling” the product away from the surface and into the wood, which results in a longer cure time. Waiting up to 12 hours before staining softwood is recommended to avoid “splotchy” areas on the wood.
Commonly used softwoods include:
- Cedars
- Firs
- Junipers
- Pines
- Spruces
Hardwoods are more resistant to absorbing a stain and take longer to draw in the product. Manufacturers often recommend not applying a second stain to hardwood as the second coat does not effectively penetrate the wood, resulting in a tacky surface.
Hardwoods require between 4 and 8 hours between coats.
Examples of hardwoods include:
- Alders
- Ashes
- Cherries
- Elms
- Oaks
- Walnuts
Due to their construction, pressure-treated woods like plywood also require similar intervals to hardwood between stains. The closely packed wood pieces prevent stains from penetrating quickly, so plan between 4 and 8 hours between coats.
Number Of Coats
If you only stain once and add an oil or water-based finish, your time interval may change.
When applying additional stain coats, it’s important to ensure the stain is mostly dry/seeped before applying the next coat.
We don’t recommend more than 2 coats for most projects; otherwise, the wood may become “tacky” and prematurely peel and crack. When applying a stain to wood, apply only as much as the wood can absorb.
Environmental Conditions
Other significant factors influencing the time between coats are how hot and humid the environment is.
Most manufacturers recommend a temperature range of between 50 and 80°F. While no rain for 24 hours (for outdoor projects) is essential, the recommended humidity range is between 40 and 70%; however, you’ll get the best results at around 50% and 70°F.
While staining, try and keep the wood out of direct sunlight as it may cause the stain to fade.
Related to heat and moisture, ventilation plays an essential role in facilitating the drying process. An area with adequate airflow (like an outdoor work area) will speed up the drying process.
Conclusion
While many stain products are on the market, most come with instructions from the manufacturer regarding the interval between stains and if additional stains are necessary. You can reapply some stain coats within 2 to 4 hours, while other products recommend waiting up to 24 hours.
