How Long does Spray Paint take to Dry? Thinking about doing a little repainting job around your home? Then spray paint can be an excellent choice for decorating; it is versatile, affordable, and portable. However, if you are new to spray paint, you probably ought to know a few important things before starting your project, such as how long does spray paint take to dry and so on.
Color changes everything, from a furniture refresh to a creative touch-up, and doing a little spray paint might be just what your old furniture or whatever it is you want to paint needs. However, due to its unique application process, there are certain factors you should consider before getting started.
Applying thin coats to boost airflow to the type of paint and the surface where it is applied affects the drying process. Now that you know that important factors should be considered, keep reading and discover how long spray paint takes to dry and more.
Table of Contents
How Long Does Spray Paint take to Dry
What are the four stages of spray paint drying?
There are four stages of spray paint drying:
- Surface dry, wherein the solvent of the paint evaporates
- Touch dry, wherein the paint could stick to your finger or not
- Hard dry, the point when the paint layer has gotten harder and will not come off
- Thorough dry, wherein the part of the surface is dry and ready for use
What are the types of spray paint?
Enamel Paint
Enamel paint starts to dry within minutes. The principal reason contributing to that is the evaporation rate of the solvent. After completing the application, a dry surface takes ten to thirty minutes. It usually takes 8 hours for a full dry.
Lacquer Paint
Lacquer Paint is made using a thermoplastic polymer. The surface-dry procedure happens in as little as three to a maximum of five minutes. A hard dry usually takes about three hours.
Epoxy or Polyurethane Paint
Epoxy or Polyurethane paint is the fastest drying spray paint. In this formulation, you have to pause for the two ingredients to have a chemical reaction. In five minutes, you’ll see a surface dry taking place. A hard dry usually takes about an hour.
How can you make spray paint dry faster?
Consider the following if you want your spray paint to dry fast
Apply a thin coat
The golden rule of paint application is that the thinner your coat is, the quicker it dries. Thankfully, spray painting is an application technique that normally results in a thin coating. Aside from using the fastest drying spray paint available, you can add some solvent or thinner to control the thickness of your spray paint.
Keep a fan on
Ventilation has a significant role in quick-dry spray painting. Before you start applying paint, open the windows to get air flowing through your room. You can take a box fan and place it on your window. Once you have finished spray painting, keep the fan running while the paint dries.
Run a heater near
There’s a reason why many people prefer to repaint their houses during the summer. The hotter the temperature is, the more quickly the paint dries. While running a heater near the surface you’ve painted won’t significantly cut down the drying period, it should save you from a couple of hours of waiting.
Decrease humidity
To fast-dry spray paint, you need to keep the humidity down. Aside from slowing the drying process, high humidity can result in paint drips and dust contamination, which can ruin your project. You can reduce air moisture by using a dehumidifier in addition to opening doors and windows while painting.
How can you tell if spray paint is dry?
Don’t assume that it’s dry just because it doesn’t stick to your finger at first touch. The paint won’t come off during the hard, dry stage, but the surface can still be damaged when struck with enough pressure. If your fingerprint still shows on the surface when you press on it firmly, it’s in the hard, dry stage.
How long does it take for Rustoleum spray paint to dry?
Based on 50% relative humidity. Allow more time at cooler temperatures. Dries tack-free in 2-4 hours, to handle in 5-9 hours, and fully dry in 24 hours.
How long should spray paint dry between coats?
Spray paint applies thinly and evenly, making it dry to the touch in as little as 30 minutes and ready for another coat in as little as one hour, even for a glossy paint. Always wait for the full drying and recoat times before applying the next coat.
Do weather conditions affect spray paint drying times?
Yes, it can, and it will. Humidity can hurt the overall drying time, and hot weather will make the paint dry faster.
Now, when cold weather season is on, be sure to keep the area well-ventilated. You should also ensure that both the spray gun and the surface are clean and free of frost. Cold weather can cause issues with the paint’s consistency, so work as quickly as possible.
Where To Buy the Best Spray Paint?
Rust-Oleum Chalked Spray Paint
Rejuvenate your décor with a soft, matte chalky finish on wood, metal, ceramic, glass, canvas & more.
For added customization and style, distress item following applications for an aged, chippy look and vintage appearance.
Available in various trending colors, Rust-Oleum Chalked Spray Paints may be layered over one another to create a unique, of-a-kind look.
Features:
- Velvety Smooth Finish
- Easy Application
- Superior Coverage
- Indoor Use Only
Krylon COLORmaxx Spray Paint and Primer
Spray Paint and Primer delivers premium coverage and superior color with adhesion and durability.
This primer and spray paint can be used on wood, metal, wicker, most plastics, glass, plaster/ceramic, and more.
The easy push big button spray tip on this all-purpose spray paint can help you spray anyway, even upside down. Dry to the touch in 20 minutes or less for fast coverage to get projects done.
Features:
- Gloss finish
- Easy to use
- Paint and primer
- Indoor and outdoor rust protection
Stops Rust Hammered Spray Paint
Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Protective Enamel Paint is the No. 1 rust-preventive paint available, provides lasting protection and beauty in a wide variety of colors and finishes.
It features any-angle technology that allows spraying hard-to-reach areas, even upside down, and a comfort tip with a wider finger pad to reduce fatigue caused by continuous spraying.
Features:
- Durable, Protective & Corrosion Resistant
- Resists Peeling, Cracking & Chipping
- Withstands Weather & Elements
- UV Resistant
- Prevents Rust
Fusion All-In-One Spray Paint
Krylon white spray paint delivers best-in-class adhesion, durability, and rust protection. This all-purpose spray paint bonds to difficult surfaces without sanding or priming, including plastic, wood, metal, PVC, tile, and more.
Whether your project is inside or out, this gloss white spray paint offers maximum rust protection. White gloss spray paint offers a modern, sleek finish to any project.
Features:
- All-in-one
- Indoor/outdoor spray paint
- Gloss white color
Common Questions Regarding How Long does Spray Paint take to Dry
What is the shelf life of spray paint?
Spray paint cans or sealed aerosol paint cans should not expire but last indefinitely. If you see a printed warning, ‘Best use before date on the body of the can, it is recommended you finish using it by that time.
How long does spray paint take to dry?
Drying times differ depending on the material:
- Cardboard. The paint-drying time for cardboard is fairly quick. If the job is performed in a well-ventilated area, the coats should dry in about 15 minutes.
- Metal. Spray paint dries faster on metal than any other surface, as fast as 10 minutes or less.
- Glass. Contrary to metal, glass drying time can take a whole day. Painting on glass–mason jars, windows, and the like, can lead to unwelcome drips and streaking, so you’ll want to apply the coats as lightly as possible. While you can add as many coats as desired with only a 15-minute break between applications, it will typically take at least 24 hours before the paint is fully dry.
- Plastic. While working with plastic, waiting 30 minutes before applying additional layers is advised. They should be scorched after about 3 hours.
- Rubber. Due to the rubber’s porous surface takes at least 24 hours for spray paint to dry after application. Therefore, you’ll want to plan your project.
