Cure time
Definition
The period a coating or a cement patch needs to reach its full hardness and adhesion. Drying to the touch is not curing.
Why It Matters
Paint cures slowly when nights are cold, and stops curing properly below about 50°F. Across northern Nevada overnight lows average below freezing from roughly November into March, which is why exterior painting runs spring through fall. Stucco patches need about 28 days to cure before paint.
Simple Example
An exterior repaint in Fernley booked for late October is moved to spring because the nights have already dropped below freezing.