Gloss paint is one of the most durable paints on the market and is a good choice for many DIY projects.
Whether you’re looking to touch up your skirting boards or give your garage door a fresh coat of paint, gloss will do the job. But does its durability mean it takes longer to dry? Take a look at our guide which answers that question as well as provides you with drying times for some of the most popular gloss paints on the market in the UK.
How Long Does Gloss Paint Take to Dry?
We find that on average, oil based gloss paint will take around 16 – 24 hours to fully dry whereas water based gloss paint will take roughly 6 – 8 hours to dry. This of course depends on environmental factors.
What Can Affect the Drying Time?
The drying times you’ll find on your tin of paint will typically be a guide rather than a precise time. This is because there are a few environmental and other factors that will affect the drying time of your gloss.
These include:
- The temperature either indoors or outdoors
- How well ventilated the room is
- Whether it’s water based or oil based
- How thick the paint is
- The surface you’re painting on
Popular Gloss Paint Drying Times
If you’ve already chosen a specific gloss paint to purchase, take a look below where you’ll find typical drying times for the most popular gloss paints.
Leyland Trade High Gloss: 16 – 24 hours
Leyland Trade Fast Drying: 6 hours
Dulux Quick Dry Gloss: 6 hours
Dulux Once Gloss: 16 hours
Dulux Weathershield Exterior Gloss: 16 hours
Johnstone’s Exterior Gloss: 16 – 24 hours
Johnstone’s Aqua: 4 – 6 hours
Ronseal One Coat: 4 – 8 hours
Crown Quick Dry Gloss: 4 – 8 hours
Rust Oleum Universal Paint: 16 hours
Summary
Many factors influence the drying time of gloss paint and as you will have learned from reading this article, it’s difficult to put a broad label on every gloss paint.
In general, oil based glosses will take a few hours more than water based glosses so it’s useful to keep that in mind when you’re considering which one to purchase.
If you prefer something that is fast drying, take a look at our best water based gloss article. If you’re not too bothered, we’ve also got a general best gloss paint guide that you can browse.