DiamondFinish Clear is a moisture-cured urethane, so it behaves opposite to traditional solvent-based and latex paints: adding humidity to the curing space is the most effective way to speed up the cure. Understanding how humidity and temperature drive the cure helps you get consistent results every time.
Ideal Cure Conditions
DiamondFinish Clear cures best between 55 and 82°F, with the fastest cure in the 70 to 80°F range. Relative humidity should be between 30 and 85 percent. Because the coating pulls moisture from the air to cure, the closer humidity gets to 85 percent, the faster it cures.
How to Speed Up the Cure
Since DiamondFinish Clear is moisture cured, raising the humidity in the curing space is the most effective way to accelerate it. This is the opposite of what you would do with a conventional paint. Try one or more of these:
- Wet the floor of the room
- Place wet cardboard or wet towels on the floor
- Run a humidifier in the curing space
- Use any other method that safely raises room humidity
Winter Slow Cure
We hear from customers every winter about DiamondFinish Clear curing slower than expected. In nearly every case the cause is low indoor humidity. Heated indoor air in winter is very dry, and adding moisture to the room almost always resolves it. One more common culprit: not stirring. Even a clear coat needs a thorough stir before every use, because the resins, solvents, and additives can separate between uses, which can cause both application problems and abnormally long cure times.
Frequently Asked Questions About DiamondFinish Clear Cure Time
How do I speed up the cure time of DiamondFinish Clear?
Add humidity to the curing space. The closer the relative humidity is to 85 percent, the faster DiamondFinish Clear will cure. Practical options include wetting the floor, placing wet towels or cardboard in the room, or running a humidifier. Keep the temperature between 55 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit for best results.
Why is DiamondFinish Clear curing slowly in winter?
Low indoor humidity is almost always the cause. Heated indoor air in winter can be very dry, and because DiamondFinish Clear needs ambient moisture to cure, dry conditions slow the process. Add humidity to the room with a humidifier or wet towels on the floor.
Can DiamondFinish Clear cure too fast?
Yes. Curing too quickly can affect brush and roller mark flow-out and compromise adhesion. Keep conditions within the recommended range of 55 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit and 30 to 85 percent relative humidity.
Does DiamondFinish Clear need to be stirred before use?
Yes. Stir it thoroughly before every use. Even though it is a clear coat, the resins, solvents, and additives can separate between uses. Skipping this step is a common cause of application problems and unusually long cure times.
Conclusion
To speed up DiamondFinish Clear, raise the humidity toward 85 percent and keep the temperature in the 70 to 80°F sweet spot. If it is curing slowly in winter, dry indoor air is almost certainly why, so add moisture to the room and stir thoroughly before every coat. For full detail, see the application directions.
