Which statement best describes how temperature affects drying and curing of finishes?

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Temperature governs how fast solvents leave the finish, how the film forms, and how well the coating cures. When the temperature is higher, solvents evaporate more quickly, causing the surface to set while the inner layers are still soft. That rapid drying can create defects such as solvent pop, wrinkling, or rough texture, and it can push the cure to occur before the film has properly coalesced, reducing hardness and adhesion. When the temperature is too low, evaporation slows, the film doesn’t flow and level as smoothly, and the curing reactions proceed more slowly or incompletely, leading to a softer, tackier finish with less resistance to chemicals and impact. Keeping the finish within the product’s recommended temperature range helps balance solvent loss, film formation, and chemical cure for a durable, smooth coating. Humidity and airflow also influence drying, but temperature is a primary driver of how the finish behaves during drying and curing.