

The coat will not blend with the first one and may eventually come off. No matter how well you put the second coat, the wood will not adhere to it properly. This way the wood will lose the potential to naturally take in the second coat of stain. While it’s important for the first coat to dry fully before you apply the second one, you should not leave the first coat for as long as a week. But it is not true for the case of a second coat. It is true that the longer you wait for the stains to dry the better your outcome will be. You should not apply a second coat of stain a week later. Can I apply a second coat of stain a week later? Just make sure that you apply the second coat the same way you applied the first one.īut don’t wait too long as this may compromise with the proper adhesion of the second coat. It even allows the first coat more time to dry and settle before you apply the second coat. You can apply a second coat of stain after 24 hours. Can you apply a second coat of stain after 24 hours? If you apply the second coat too soon, the first one will start to come off and create a tacky mess. When you apply the second coat of stain, it can slightly dissolve the first layer. If you fail to determine this needed time, your piece can be ruined. The first coat becomes dry on touch after about an hour and you can apply the second one then. It is important to dry the first coat of stain properly before applying the second coat. What happens if you apply second coat of stain too soon? Also, wait for another 24 hours before you allow it for normal use. Also, choose a room that is well ventilated.įinally, it will be safe to wait for at least 24 hours for the stain to dry. If you want your stain to dry fast, make sure to choose a time of the day when the temperature ranges between 50 to 90☏ and the humidity between 50 to 70%.

It is wise to wait longer for stains to dry. So you better not hurry when you’re dealing with wood stains. Some brands ask you to leave the stain overnight or at least 24 hours to dry completely. Some stains claim to dry within one to two hours. Some other factors that contribute to this are the temperature, humidity, and ventilation system of the room.Īlso, different brands use different measurements when making their stains and you will find the required drying time mentioned on the packaging. The drying time depends mostly on the type of stain you’re using. It usually takes just a few hours for the stain to dry completely. But since it gets absorbed quickly as it penetrates down the pores of your wooden piece, in some cases the wood may not take the second coat. Usually, it takes up to 24 to 48 hours for Cabot stain to fully dry.

Since most of their stains are oil-based, they recommend applying a single coat to not overdo the staining and get a flawless finish.

Second coat of Cabot stain:Ĭabot encourages to not apply more than one coat of stain. You may have to wait for 6 to 8 hours for the first coat to dry. Since gel stains are thicker in consistency, they need more time to dry compared to other stains. Gel stains are easier to use because their consistency helps you avoid dripping and build the stain beautifully. Generally, a deck gets ready for normal use after 24 to 48 hours. If the deck is in an area of lower temperature and higher humidity, you may have to wait longer. The waiting time can increase depending on the temperature and humidity. Second coat on deck:Ī second coat on deck needs to be applied at least four hours after the first coat has been applied. The labels should always include the time required to wait for the stain to dry before going on with a second coat.Ĭarefully check the surface before applying the second coat of stain. If you apply the second coat before the first one dries, it can become tacky and the result won’t be what you expected.
