Interthane 987
Polyurethane · INTL · manufacturer-sourced
How long before you can recoat International (AkzoNobel) Interthane 987?
Short answer
Launch-ready plan
Weatherproof, in-water and underway are different dates
- Prepare and apply the Polyurethane
- Keep it dry for the stated time
- Launch or use only after the stated cure
This product’s stated stages Quoted at 77°F
- Safe to touch1 hour 30 min
- Working time ends2 hours
- Safe to handle6 hours
- Ready for another coat6 hours
Worth noticing: Working time is only 2 hours; the next stated stage, safe to touch, is 1 hour 30 min.
Common mistake: Launching on the first dry day; most marine products need the immersion time stated.
Water-exposure plan
Splash, filling and continuous immersion are not equivalent
Splashes or dampness can use a different milestone.
Filling, launching or immersion requires the exact water milestone.
Use the Polyurethane directions for polyurethane topcoat and marine paint; do not infer immersion readiness from touch-dry time.
Time the marine cure
Your countdown
Stated times
- Working time ends2 hours
- Safe to touch90 minutes
- Safe to handle6 hours
- Ready for another coat6 hours
From International (AkzoNobel) data sheet · checked 2026-10-25. Anything not listed isn’t stated by the manufacturer.
Manufacturer website: international-yachtpaint.com
Conditions & fine print
- Stated conditions: 77°F (25°C)
- Drying, recoat and launch times change with temperature, humidity and film thickness. Follow the current data sheet and label for your boat and climate. Times are given for -5, 5, 25 and 35°C, measured at 50 microns dry film.
- Region INTL. Formulas can differ between countries; check your container.
- Working time ends: At 25°C (77°F).
- Safe to touch: At 25°C (77°F).
- Safe to handle: At 25°C (77°F).
- Ready for another coat: At 25°C (77°F).
- Entered from the cited manufacturer documentation. Check the current label for the exact formula and region. Report outdated information
- Actual results depend on preparation, thickness, ventilation, temperature, humidity, mixing and substrate.
Confirm this is your product
Closely named formulas, colors and regional versions can use different times. Match these details to your container before starting a countdown.
- Exact listing
- International (AkzoNobel) Interthane 987
- Variant
- Polyurethane
- Region
- INTL
- Listed use
- polyurethane topcoat, marine paint
- Timed stages recorded
- tooling, touch, handle, recoat min
- Source checked
- 2026-10-25
Documentation: Technical data sheet · Issued 04/02/2015
Condition attached to the stated time: At 25°C (77°F).
About this product
Interthane 987 is the sister to 990 on International's data sheets, and the 987 sheet lists 990 as an overcoating option. It gives the same hard-dry times as 990 but a shorter pot life at 35°C (60 minutes).
Using this specific product
International (AkzoNobel) Interthane 987 is listed here as the Polyurethane version for polyurethane topcoat and marine paint. For repairing marine or RV equipment, the useful question is not simply whether the surface looks finished—it is whether the exact next-action milestone shown above has been reached.
Before you start
- Confirm the package says Polyurethane; related versions can use different timing.
- For polyurethane topcoat and marine paint, pay particular attention to substrate preparation, temperature and water exposure.
- At 25°C (77°F).
How to check readiness
Check the immersion or launch milestone—not just touch-dry time. The data sheet gives a pot life of 2 hours. Touch only a hidden edge first; a dry surface can conceal a soft layer underneath. Lift or move the item gently and avoid twisting the bond or pressing finished faces together.
Avoid this mistake
Launching too soon can expose an incompletely cured film continuously.
Compare with similar products
- Compare with Interlux VC OffshoreRecoat: 6 h there, 6 h here.
- Compare with Interlux Perfection PlusRecoat: 4 h to 1 day there, 6 h here.
Questions
How long before you can recoat this product?
International (AkzoNobel) states: The data sheet gives a pot life of 2 hours. Conditions: At 25°C (77°F).. The data sheet gives a touch-dry time of 1.5 hours. Conditions: At 25°C (77°F).. The data sheet gives a hard-dry time of 6 hours; it is the closest handling figure. Conditions: At 25°C (77°F).. The data sheet gives 6 hours before overcoating with itself or with Interthane 990, with the maximum shown as extended. Conditions: At 25°C (77°F).. These are the manufacturer’s stated times, not a guarantee.
Can Interthane 990 be applied over Interthane 987?
Yes, per the data sheet's overcoating table: both 987 and 990 are listed with the same minimums, 60 hours at -5°C, 24 hours at 5°C, 6 hours at 25°C and 4 hours at 35°C, and an extended maximum.
How long do I have to work with this product?
International (AkzoNobel) states: The data sheet gives a pot life of 2 hours. Conditions: At 25°C (77°F).. These are the manufacturer’s stated times, not a guarantee.
How long until this product is safe to touch?
International (AkzoNobel) states: The data sheet gives a touch-dry time of 1.5 hours. Conditions: At 25°C (77°F).. These are the manufacturer’s stated times, not a guarantee.
How long until this product is safe to handle?
International (AkzoNobel) states: The data sheet gives a hard-dry time of 6 hours; it is the closest handling figure. Conditions: At 25°C (77°F).. These are the manufacturer’s stated times, not a guarantee.
What affects how long this product takes to dry or cure?
Drying, recoat and launch times change with temperature, humidity and film thickness. Follow the current data sheet and label for your boat and climate. Times are given for -5, 5, 25 and 35°C, measured at 50 microns dry film. Follow the product label for your conditions.