How Long Should You Wait Between Coats of Interior Paint?

Interior paint dries quickly.

Latex Paint

You should wait four hours before applying a second coat of latex interior paint. You can try to speed up the drying process by opening windows to let in the breeze, or by aiming fans at the wall.

Oil-Based Paint

Oil-based interior paint takes 24 hours to dry between coats. If you live in an area with high humidity, you may have to wait even longer.

Bottom Line

Interior paint takes four to 24 hours to dry between coats, depending on the type of paint. Humidity slows the drying process, even for interior paint. On clear, windy days, you can open the windows to try to speed up the drying process or aim fans at the walls to help.

References

• Bob Vila: General Paint Questions
• Dutchboy: FAQ