When using spray paint for a project, I always wonder how long I have to wait for the paint to dry. I typically want to dive back into my project as soon as possible. If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably wondered how to make spray paint dry faster.
Luckily, there are many ways you can speed up the spray paint’s drying time. You could coat the surface with wax-based furniture polish or bake the paint in the oven. The easiest option is to alter aspects of your environment like airflow or humidity for fast-drying results.
In this article, we’ll dive into how long spray paint takes to dry and the methods you can use to speed up the dry time. We’ll even show you some of the best fast-drying spray paint brands for your next project.
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How Long Does Spray Paint Take to Dry?
In general, spray paint takes at least a few hours to dry thoroughly. You can handle and re-coat the pain after a few hours. However, some brands take much longer to fully cure. You may need to wait 24 hours or more for the paint to fully cure.
You can check the label on the spray paint bottle for an exact estimate on how long it takes to dry. Sometimes the dry time is challenging to find, but most brands print it along with other product information. However, this is an estimation. Many factors go into how long spray paint takes to dry, such as humidity, air circulation, and the surface you’re painting.
What Is the Difference Between Dry Time and Cure Time?
To understand how Speed spray paint dries, we need to discuss the difference between dry time and cure time. A paint’s dry time is the length of time between painting coats or the re-coat time. On the other hand, the cure time is how long it takes for the paint to dry before your project is complete and you can use the object.
Spray paint goes through four main drying stages, including:
- Surface dry: The paint’s solvent evaporates.
- Touch dry: This is when the paint may stop sticking to your finger.
- Hard dry: When the spray paint’s top layer becomes hard and is not likely to come off.
- Thorough dry or fully cured: The entire surface is dry, and the object is ready for use.
The cure time typically takes longer because the solvents evaporate from the paint’s surface as the drying process is underway. The paint cures when these residual solvents leave the film and link with air to create a robust and tough exterior.
How To Make Spray Paint Dry Faster
There are many ways you can make spray paint dry faster. The easiest methods involve altering elements of your environment, such as air circulation, humidity, or heat. However, how you apply the paint can also play a massive role in the dry time. Here are seven options to speed up how fast your spray paint dries.
