Wood finishes: dry and cure times

35 products with manufacturer-sourced times. Choose yours to start a countdown.

• Minwax Fast-Drying PolyurethaneOil-based (all sheens) · Wood finish · USRecoat 4–6 hours
• Minwax Water Based Polyurethane (oil-modified dispersion)Clear · Wood finish · USRecoat 2 hours
• Minwax Polycrylic Protective FinishWater-based (all sheens) · Wood finish · USRecoat 2 hours
• Varathane (Rust-Oleum) Triple Thick PolyurethaneWater-based (all sheens) · Wood finish · USRecoat 2 hours
• Varathane (Rust-Oleum) Premium Fast Dry Wood StainOil-based (all colors) · Wood finish · USRecoat 1 hour
• Minwax Wood Finish Penetrating StainOil-based (all colors) · Wood finish · USFully dry 2–3 hours
• Minwax Indoor/Outdoor Helmsman Spar UrethaneOil-based (all sheens) · Wood finish · USRecoat 6 hours
• Minwax Water Based Helmsman Indoor/Outdoor Spar UrethaneWater-based (all sheens) · Wood finish · USRecoat 2 hours
• BEHR PREMIUM ADVANCED DECKOVER SmoothSmooth (all colors) · Wood finish · USLight traffic 1–2 days
• BEHR PREMIUM Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Stain & SealerSemi-transparent (all colors) · Wood finish · USRecoat 1–2 hours
• Minwax Wipe-On PolyOil-based (gloss / satin) · Wood finish · USRecoat 2–3 hours
• Varathane (Rust-Oleum) Outdoor Water Based Spar Urethane (brush)Water-based (all sheens) · Wood finish · USRecoat 2 hours
• Varathane (Rust-Oleum) Oil-Based Spar UrethaneOil-based (all sheens) · Wood finish · USRecoat 8 hours
• Minwax Ultra Fast-Drying Polyurethane for FloorsOil-based (all sheens) · Wood finish · USRecoat 2 hours
• Minwax One Step Stain & TopcoatOil-based (all colors) · Wood finish · USRecoat 2 hours
• Minwax Wood Finish Water-Based Color Stain (Semi-Transparent)Water-based (all colors) · Wood finish · USRecoat 1–2 hours
• Thompson's WaterSeal WaterSeal Clear Wood SealerClear · Wood finish · USFully dry 2–3 days
• Thompson's WaterSeal WaterSeal Solid Color Wood SealerSolid colors · Wood finish · USRecoat 2 hours
• Watco (Rust-Oleum) Danish OilOil-based (all colors) · Wood finish · USRecoat 3 days
• Watco (Rust-Oleum) Danish Oil 350 VOCLow-VOC oil (all colors) · Wood finish · USRecoat 3 days
• General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Oil & Urethane TopcoatOil-based (all sheens) · Wood finish · USRecoat 1 day
• General Finishes High Performance Water Based TopcoatWater-based (all sheens) · Wood finish · USRecoat 2 hours
• General Finishes Enduro-Var Urethane VarnishWater-based (all sheens) · Wood finish · USRecoat 4 hours
• General Finishes Gel TopcoatOil-based gel (all sheens) · Wood finish · USRecoat 12 hours to 1 day
• General Finishes Exterior 450 Water Based TopcoatWater-based (all sheens) · Wood finish · USRecoat 2 hours
• Minwax Gel StainOil-based gel (all colors) · Wood finish · USRecoat 8–10 hours
• Minwax PolyShades Stain & PolyurethaneOil-based (all colors) · Wood finish · USRecoat 6 hours
• Minwax Water-Based Solid Color StainWater-based (all colors) · Wood finish · USRecoat 1–2 hours
• Minwax Express Color Wiping Stain & FinishWater-based (all colors) · Wood finish · USRecoat 1 hour
• Rust-Oleum RockSolid 20X Deck ResurfacerAll colors · Wood finish · USLight traffic 2 days
• Rust-Oleum RockSolid 6X Deck CoatAll colors · Wood finish · USLight traffic 1 day
• Rust-Oleum RockSolid Deck Start Wood PrimerClear-drying primer · Wood finish · USRecoat 1 hour
• Rust-Oleum Renovator Deck Cleaner + SealerClear · Wood finish · USLight traffic 3 hours
• Varathane (Rust-Oleum) Premium Floor Finish (350 VOC)Oil-based · Wood finish · USRecoat 12 hours
• Zinsser (Rust-Oleum) Bulls Eye ShellacClear / amber · Wood finish · USRecoat 1 hour

Questions and comparisons

• When can I apply another coat?
• When can I use it or return furniture?
• When can I walk on a stained or coated deck?
• Clear wood finish recoat and use times compared

Don’t see yours? Request a product.