Lacquer and Paint Drying Times

Cellulose Paint Drying Time

Time before...  Cellulose Paint Metallic Cellulose Paint
Paint is Touch Dry 15 minutes 15 minutes 
Applying Next Coat 4 hours (key finish lightly with 600 grit, then apply next coat) 4 hours (do not key finish)
Applying Clear Top Coat 12 hours (level sand, then apply top coat) 12 hours (do not level sand)
Polishing 1 week n/a - apply top coat and polish that

Nitrocellulose Lacquer Drying Time

Time before... Clear Nitrocellulose Lacquer Coloured Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Lacquer is Touch Dry 15 minutes 15 minutes 
Applying Next Coat 4 hours (key finish lightly with 600 grit, then apply next coat) 4 hours 
Applying Top Coat n/a - this is the top coat 4 hours
Polishing 2 weeks (allows nitrocellulose lacquer to harden before polishing) n/a - apply top coat and polish that 

Waterborne Lacquer Drying Time

Time before... Clear Waterborne Lacquer Coloured Waterborne Lacquer
Lacquer is Touch Dry 30 minutes 30 minutes 
Applying Next Coat 4 hours (key finish lightly with 600 grit, then apply next coat) 4 hours 
Applying Top Coat n/a - this is the top coat 12 hours
Polishing 2-3 days
(allows waterborne lacquer to harden before polishing)
n/a - apply top coat and polish that 

Waterborne Paint Drying Time

Time before... Solid Colour Waterborne Paint
Paint is Touch Dry 30 minutes
Applying Next Coat 4 hours (key finish lightly with 600 grit, then apply next coat)
Applying Top Coat n/a - this is the top coat
Polishing 2-3 days
(allows waterborne paint to harden before polishing)

Leave a comment