When can I apply another coat?

Water-based clear finishes typically recoat in about 2 hours. Oil-based polyurethane takes longer. Some products also require light sanding between coats.

Find your product, then start a countdown with your exact application time:

Product	Recoat
BEHR PREMIUM Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Stain & Sealer Semi-transparent (all colors) · US	1–2 hours
Minwax Express Color Wiping Stain & Finish Water-based (all colors) · US	1 hour
Minwax Water-Based Solid Color Stain Water-based (all colors) · US	1–2 hours
Minwax Wood Finish Water-Based Color Stain (Semi-Transparent) Water-based (all colors) · US	1–2 hours
Rust-Oleum RockSolid Deck Start Wood Primer Clear-drying primer · US	1 hour
Varathane (Rust-Oleum) Premium Fast Dry Wood Stain Oil-based (all colors) · US	1 hour
Zinsser (Rust-Oleum) Bulls Eye Shellac Clear / amber · US	1 hour
General Finishes Exterior 450 Water Based Topcoat Water-based (all sheens) · US	2 hours
General Finishes High Performance Water Based Topcoat Water-based (all sheens) · US	2 hours
Minwax One Step Stain & Topcoat Oil-based (all colors) · US	2 hours
Minwax Polycrylic Protective Finish Water-based (all sheens) · US	2 hours
Minwax Ultra Fast-Drying Polyurethane for Floors Oil-based (all sheens) · US	2 hours
Minwax Water Based Helmsman Indoor/Outdoor Spar Urethane Water-based (all sheens) · US	2 hours
Minwax Water Based Polyurethane (oil-modified dispersion) Clear · US	2 hours
Minwax Wipe-On Poly Oil-based (gloss / satin) · US	2–3 hours
Thompson's WaterSeal WaterSeal Solid Color Wood Sealer Solid colors · US	2 hours
Varathane (Rust-Oleum) Outdoor Water Based Spar Urethane (brush) Water-based (all sheens) · US	2 hours
Varathane (Rust-Oleum) Triple Thick Polyurethane Water-based (all sheens) · US	2 hours
BEHR PREMIUM ADVANCED DECKOVER Smooth Smooth (all colors) · US	4–6 hours
General Finishes Enduro-Var Urethane Varnish Water-based (all sheens) · US	4 hours
Minwax Fast-Drying Polyurethane Oil-based (all sheens) · US	4–6 hours
Minwax Indoor/Outdoor Helmsman Spar Urethane Oil-based (all sheens) · US	6 hours
Minwax PolyShades Stain & Polyurethane Oil-based (all colors) · US	6 hours
Minwax Gel Stain Oil-based gel (all colors) · US	8–10 hours
Varathane (Rust-Oleum) Oil-Based Spar Urethane Oil-based (all sheens) · US	8 hours
General Finishes Gel Topcoat Oil-based gel (all sheens) · US	12 hours to 1 day
Varathane (Rust-Oleum) Premium Floor Finish (350 VOC) Oil-based · US	12 hours
General Finishes Arm-R-Seal Oil & Urethane Topcoat Oil-based (all sheens) · US	1 day
Watco (Rust-Oleum) Danish Oil Oil-based (all colors) · US	3 days
Watco (Rust-Oleum) Danish Oil 350 VOC Low-VOC oil (all colors) · US	3 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.

Clear wood finish recoat and use times compared →

Planning information only. Actual results depend on preparation, thickness, ventilation, temperature, humidity, mixing and substrate.