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How Long Does It Take Stucco to Dry?
It may be a dry topic, but it’s worth knowing
Photo: John Scott Leigh III / E+ / Getty Images
Photo: John Scott Leigh III / E+ / Getty Images
Highlights
Stucco takes 24 to 72 hours to dry in normal circumstances and one to two months for it to cure fully.
You should aim to keep new stucco moist for one to three days to slow down the drying process.
Install stucco in temperatures between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit with no rain in the forecast for at least three days for the best results.
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Stucco is a beautiful, energy-efficient siding option that’s especially popular in hotter climates. However, it needs time to dry and cure before it reaches its full strength. So, how long does it take stucco to dry? Each coat should take one to three days to dry, but several factors affect the drying and curing time.
How Long For Stucco to Dry?
On average, stucco takes one to three days to dry. During that time, you should mist your siding lightly to prevent the stucco from cracking and avoid exposure to rain, which can add too much moisture and weaken the material. Note that most stucco applications include a scratch coat and a “brown coat” that each takes one to three days to dry, as well as a finish coat to waterproof the stucco that takes just one day to dry.
What Affects Stucco Drying Time?
Photo: Baharlou / Adobe Stock
There are a few things that can speed up or slow down your stucco drying time.
Type of Stucco Coat
The scratch coat and brown coat—the first two coats a contractor applies—each takes one to three days to dry, mostly because you’ll mist them to keep them moist. You won’t mist the finish coat in most cases, so it will dry in a single day.
Thickness
Thicker coats of stucco will take longer to dry. Most contractors who do stucco will apply a 3/8-inch coat for both the scratch coat and brown coat, and a 1/8-inch coat for the finish coat. Thicker coats take longer. If you’re installing stucco over brick siding or stone siding, you’ll need thicker coats in some areas to create a smooth, even finish, and the thicker areas can take an additional day or two to dry.
Temperature, Humidity, and Misting
The water in your stucco will evaporate more quickly in high temperatures, sunny weather, and low humidity. You or your contractor will mist stucco to slow the drying time in these conditions to keep the process between two and three days.
Stucco Drying vs. Curing Time
With proper misting, stucco will dry in two to three days, but it can take one to three weeks for the material to cure. Drying is the process of stucco losing moisture to the air around it, while curing is a chemical process that adds strength and longevity.
| Drying | Curing |
|---|---|
| 1 to 3 days | 1 to 2 months |
| Hard to the touch | Fully hardened |
| Mist during drying | No Misting |
Why Proper Stucco Drying Time Is So Important
Proper stucco application requires keeping the drying time per coat between two and three days, but why is this so crucial? Stucco that dries too quickly is more likely to crack and chip, as a slow drying time gives the material more time to harden. Misting can help prevent rapid drying, ultimately leaving you with less maintenance and a nicer-looking home over time.
Pro Tip
In most instances, stucco coats will need 24 to 48 hours for curing. The final coat needs to cure for a minimum of 28 days to ensure its full strength and resist cracking. All of this requires expert application to ensure effective moisture control.
Stucco that remains wet for too long and doesn’t dry out properly also won’t be as strong. Slow drying times can cause the stucco to take on an uneven appearance and increase the risk of the material not bonding properly to the layer behind it, leading to delamination.
This can also be an issue if you’re installing stucco over old stucco, and the old material is too wet during the application. For the best results, have a stucco contractor near you handle the installation and misting during the drying process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stucco will dry in two to three days, but you should wait one to two months to allow it to cure fully before you paint it. The curing process is slow, but leaving the material exposed to air and natural moisture will help it reach its maximum strength. If you live in a hot, arid climate, wait a month before painting. Wait two months before painting if you live in a more moderate or wet climate.
You should aim to let stucco dry for at least 48 hours before it rains. While misting new stucco and keeping it moderately moist is important for strength and longevity, uncontrolled exposure to rain can lead to weak stucco that doesn’t bond properly. Rain can also affect the stucco finish and the color unevenly, leaving you with less appealing siding.
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