How long does primer take to dry?
Most primers are dry to the touch in 30 minutes or less and can be painted over in about an hour. Oil-based and shellac primers can be faster or slower depending on the topcoat.
Quick answerIt depends on the exact product. The manufacturers' stated times we track:
- Safe to touch: from 5 minutes (Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Aerosol Primer) to 35 minutes (Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer) across 8 products.
- Paint-ready: from 30 minutes (Zinsser B-I-N Shellac-Based Primer (Spray)) to 1 hour (KILZ ORIGINAL Interior Oil-Based Primer) across 8 products.
- Full cure: from 7 days (Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer) to 7 days (Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer) across 2 products.
Find your product, then start a countdown with your exact application time:
| Product | Touch | Paint-ready | Full cure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Aerosol Primer White spray · US | 5 minutes | 30 minutes | Not provided by manufacturer |
| Zinsser B-I-N Shellac-Based Primer (Spray) 13 oz aerosol · US | 15 minutes | 30 minutes | Not provided by manufacturer |
| KILZ 2 ALL-PURPOSE Interior/Exterior Primer White (water-based) · US | 30 minutes | 1 hour | Not provided by manufacturer |
| KILZ ORIGINAL Interior Oil-Based Primer White (oil-based) · US | 30 minutes | 1 hour | Not provided by manufacturer |
| KILZ Premium Interior/Exterior Water-Base Primer White · US | 30 minutes | 1 hour | Not provided by manufacturer |
| KILZ RESTORATION Interior Primer White (water-based) · US | 30 minutes | 1 hour | Not provided by manufacturer |
| Zinsser Cover Stain Oil-Based Primer White (brush/roll) · US | 30 minutes | 1 hour | 7 days |
| Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer White (water-based; brush/roll/spray) · US | 35 minutes | 1 hour | 7 days |
Times are the manufacturer’s stated figures under the manufacturer’s conditions. Your product may differ by formula or region. Products are sorted by the first stated time; nothing on this page is sponsored.
Primer topcoat times compared →
Planning information only. Actual results depend on preparation, thickness, ventilation, temperature, humidity, mixing and substrate.