Drying times for natural varnish average about 24 hours, but water-base varnish and polyurethanes often dry more quickly. Dampness slows drying, so it’s recommended that you extend all drying times if you’re applying varnish in humid or wet weather.Click to see full answer. Also asked, how can I dry varnish quickly?Wipe the surface of the varnish lightly with a rag moistened with turpentine or mineral spirits. Don’t rub the varnish, just wipe it lightly enough to remove the tackiness from the surface. Give the varnish another day or two under the breeze of a fan to cure.Also Know, how do you apply varnish to wood? To varnish wood, use a flat paintbrush or foam applicator to apply the varnish to the wood. As you apply the varnish, use long, even strokes, and work along the wood grain. After 24 hours, sand the first coat with 280-grit sandpaper, then use a dry cloth to wipe away any dust. Correspondingly, how long does varnish take to dry on wood floors? Each coat of polyurethane usually needs 24 hrs to dry and a stain will need 24 hrs to dry…but if it’s a darker stain, it could take 36 or even 48 hrs for the stain to dry. So, in the case of a dark stain that needs 2 days to dry and if you apply 3 coats of poly, you are up to 5 days.How long does it take for polyurethane to dry on wood?Recoat within 2 hours. If unable to do so, wait a minimum of 72 hours, then lightly sand and recoat. Apply at least three coats on unfinished wood and two coats on surfaces already finished. After final coat, allow 24 hours before normal use.