Well I can tell you that on some of my cane condos I have caught fish on them within 2 days. When I put the first set out that I had ever made was late friday evening. The next morning I went back and fished them catching just a couple. Know with you painting them I dont know if that would make any difference or not. I have never painted anything and used it. I have put out the condos, wood pallets, christmas trees and also dumped boat loads of big rocks. The condos and the rocks have been awesome. How long has it been since you dropped the PVC?