I mudded some drywall last night where the paper had come off. I applied one thin layer, then came back a couple hours later for a second layer on any rough spots. It's now dry to the touch, but I'm wondering if I can start priming or if there's a real reason I should hold off for 24 hours?
3 Answers
It's always safer to wait at least 24 hours, especially if you live in a humid area. I've seen issues arise months later if the joint isn't fully dry. A friend told me a story about two homeowners who handled their driveways differently after pouring concrete; the one who waited had far fewer issues in the long run. Just because it's dry to the touch doesn’t mean it’s ready for paint—better safe than sorry!
Are you using hot mud or premixed compound? If it's hot mud and it's stable after the cure time, you might be fine to go ahead. For premixed, it's best to wait unless it's been over 12 hours and looks completely dry. Remember that there is moisture in primer and paint too, so keep that in mind when deciding!
It’s good that it’s dry to the touch, but the concern is whether it’s truly dry all the way through. Sometimes moisture can linger below the surface, which might lead to bubbling or discoloration later. While I usually wait if I can, I’ve primed after a shorter waiting period without significant issues. Just keep in mind there’s always a bit of risk when you don’t wait the full time.
Thanks for the tip! I might set up a heater and dehumidifier to help things along, as I need to paint by 6 PM tonight. That's about 18 hours from now at least, so I'm hoping for the best!
I get that, but I’ve sanded the area and it felt pretty dry then. It’s not a thick joint, just paper that needs a layer over it, so I'm hopeful.