Waterlox Drying Time Between Coats

I bought waterlox thru you & have a question. I am using it on yellow pine inside a barn. I have already done 3 coats in some areas in dry weather - waited 24 hours between coats - all is fine. Now, we are having a stretch of very wet weather - I did a section of 1st coat yesterday - my question is - should I wait more than 24 hours? If it is not tacky at 24 hours is it "dry" (don't know how anything could dry in this weather)? Should I wait for dry weather (another week of rain here). There is very good air flow & not too hot - good breeze thru barn. Sue


Sue:

These issues are the same whether your project is a barn, or an interior wood floor: Waterlox cures with oxygen, so the more oxygen available, the better the cure. Exchange and move air, but do not blow air directly on the wet coating.

Fort this project, the breeze is key...if the breeze is full of moisture, there is less free oxygen to cure the Waterlox. If you are getting a consistent supply of fresh dry air, that is good. You are correct to let it cure a little longer in marginal conditions..maybe 36-48 hrs between coats. If it is pouring rain outside it will not cure a lot in the barn. Count 24 cumulative hours of good drying conditions. Also be sure to circulate air in corners and in the high work if you can.

You can generally drag or slide your fingers across the surface..if the finish is very "grippy" (not slick), then give it a bit more time.

Doug
PaintSource.net