What does curing time refer to in paint application?

Curing time in paint application specifically refers to the period required for the wet coating to undergo a chemical or physical transformation that leads to solidification. This means that it is when the paint transitions from a liquid state to a hard, solid state as it forms a durable and resistant film on the surface.

While drying time, which may refer to the initial evaporation of solvents, is important, it does not capture the overall process of curing, which encompasses the complete development of the paint's properties and structure. Glossiness is another aspect of the paint's finish and does not define the curing phase. Similarly, the time for the paint to be ready for handling involves both drying and curing but does not define the complete chemical process that occurs during curing. Thus, the statement regarding the wet coating becoming solid accurately encapsulates the essence of curing time in paint application.