How long you wait between coats depends on the paint. Little Greene's Intelligent finishes can be recoated in 1 to 4 hours. Farrow & Ball's Estate Emulsion can be recoated after 2 hours, while their Modern Emulsion, Flat Eggshell and Exterior Eggshell need 4 hours. Paint & Paper Library give 4 hours for Architects' Matt and Architects' Eggshell. These are the brands' figures for normal conditions; in a cool or humid room, allow longer.
Waiting the full time matters. Paint that feels dry on the surface can still be soft underneath, and a second coat brushed over it too soon can drag, lift or leave the finish patchy. A little patience between coats is the easiest way to get a smooth, even result.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: Slipper Satin (2004)
Recoat times at a glance
All figures below come from each brand's own product information.
- Little Greene Intelligent finishes. Intelligent Matt Emulsion, Intelligent Eggshell, Intelligent Satin and Intelligent Gloss: recoat in 1 to 4 hours, depending on conditions.
- Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion. Dry in 2 hours, recoat after 2 hours. Farrow & Ball recommend at least 4 hours between coats when you are applying a primer or undercoat.
- Farrow & Ball Modern Emulsion. Dry in about 2 hours, recoat after 4 hours.
- Farrow & Ball Flat Eggshell. Dry in 2 hours, recoat after 4 hours. Flat Eggshell has replaced Estate Eggshell, which has been discontinued.
- Farrow & Ball Exterior Eggshell. Dry in 2 hours, recoat after 4 hours.
- Paint & Paper Library Architects' Matt and Architects' Eggshell. Quick drying, and recoatable in 4 hours.
For any finish not listed here, the recoat time is on the tin and on the product data sheet. When in doubt, go for the longer figure.
Touch dry is not the same as ready
Most water-based paints feel dry to the touch long before they are ready for another coat. Little Greene's data sheet for Intelligent Matt Emulsion, for example, gives a surface dry time of 30 minutes but a minimum recoat time of 1 to 2 hours. The surface skins over first, and the film beneath needs longer to firm up.
A simple test: the paint should look evenly dry, with no darker or glossier patches, and should not feel cool, soft or tacky when you touch an inconspicuous spot. If any area still looks wet, give the whole wall more time.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: Light Blue (22)
What makes paint take longer
Every recoat time assumes reasonable conditions. A few things will stretch it:
- Cold. Farrow & Ball say cooler conditions lengthen drying times, and advise not painting below 10°C. Little Greene give 8°C as the minimum for their Intelligent range.
- Humidity. Farrow & Ball say more humid conditions also lengthen drying, and set a limit of 80% relative humidity for application. Bathrooms and kitchens need particular care.
- Dark colours. Farrow & Ball note that darker colours can take longer to dry.
- Heavy coats. Thick coats hold more water and take longer to dry through. Two thin coats are always better than one heavy one.
Recoating is not curing
Once the last coat is on, the paint still needs time to harden fully. Little Greene say their Intelligent finishes reach full cure in up to 7 days, and Farrow & Ball say some darker colours can take up to 14 days to reach full hardness, strength and durability. Farrow & Ball also recommend waiting at least 14 days before cleaning Modern Emulsion.
During that time, treat painted surfaces gently. Avoid putting heavy objects on freshly painted shelves or worktops, and do not scrub walls. Our guide to painting IKEA furniture covers this in more detail for furniture, where it matters most.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: Peignoir (286)
Questions we are often asked
Can I apply two coats in one day?
Usually, yes. With Intelligent finishes and their 1 to 4 hour recoat time, two coats in a day is realistic. With a 4-hour recoat time, start in the morning so the second coat goes on with plenty of daylight left.
What happens if I recoat too soon?
The brush or roller can drag the soft paint underneath, leaving marks, patchiness or an uneven sheen. If that happens, let everything dry thoroughly, then apply another coat.
Does a primer need the same wait?
Check its own data sheet. When using a primer or undercoat beneath Estate Emulsion, Farrow & Ball recommend at least 4 hours between coats. Our primers page lists the options for each brand.
Shop Paint by Finish
Intelligent Eggshell · Modern Emulsion · Architects' Eggshell
