These are the recommended dry times for each step of a ScratchesHappen touch-up repair, organized by kit type. Times assume application temperature above 65°F and humidity below 50% — heavier applications, lower temperatures, and higher humidity all extend drying.
The times below cover three stages of paint readiness: flash time between coats, dry time before moving to the next repair step (paint is no longer wet but not yet fully hardened), and cure time before harsher conditions like washing, polishing, or ceramic coating (paint has fully hardened).
Bottle Touch Ups
Step | Time |
|---|---|
Between primer coats | 15–30 minutes |
After primer, before painting | 30 minutes – 24 hours |
Between base color coats | 15–30 minutes |
After base color, before clear coat | 30 minutes – 24 hours |
Between clear coats | 15–30 minutes |
After clear coat, before hand wash | 72 hours |
After clear coat, before machine wash | 30 days |
After clear coat, before waxing or polishing | 30 days |
After clear coat, before ceramic coat or film wrap | 60 days |
Bottle kit instructions are found here:
Aerosol Repairs
Step | Time |
|---|---|
Between primer coats | 5–10 minutes |
After primer, before painting | 60 minutes – 24 hours |
Between base color coats | 10–20 minutes |
After base color, before clear coat | 60 minutes – 24 hours |
Between clear coats | 5–10 minutes |
After clear coat, before wet sand or polish | 72 hours |
After clear coat, before hand wash | 72 hours |
After clear coat, before exposure to rain, snow, or ice | 48–72 hours |
After clear coat, before machine wash | 30 days |
After clear coat, before waxing | 30 days |
After clear coat, before ceramic coat or film wrap | 60 days |
Aerosol kit instructions are found here:
https://help.scratcheshappen.com/help/scratcheshappen-aerosol-instructions
FAQ
What if my temperature is below 65°F or humidity is above 50%?
Increase your dry times — paint cures more slowly in cooler or more humid conditions. As a rough rule, add 25–50% to the times above when conditions are outside the recommended range. When in doubt, err on the longer side rather than the shorter — extra dry time doesn't hurt the repair, but rushing it can.
Can I speed up drying time?
Yes — gentle airflow over the painted surface speeds drying. A small fan blowing across (not directly at) the repair helps water and solvents flash off faster. Avoid heat guns or other aggressive heat sources, which can skin the surface while leaving wet paint underneath.
What's the difference between "dry" and "cured"?
"Dry" means the paint is no longer wet and can be lightly handled without transferring paint.
"Cured" means the paint has fully hardened and reached its maximum durability — that takes 72 hours before hand washing, 30 days before machine washing or waxing, and 60 days before ceramic coating or film wrap.
The shorter times above are about being ready for the next step in your repair; the longer times protect the paint from harsher conditions while it fully hardens.