How to Make Spray Paint Dry Faster?

It can be extremely annoying when you have finished spray painting and you want to be able to move on to the next step of the project, but you’re dealing with wet paint!

Spray paint is great for projects, but the downside is that it takes ages for the paint to dry, and the waiting can be torture. When creating a project, you want to dive in as soon as possible, but waiting for the paint to dry can take hours!

If you are into creating projects with spray paint, then you probably have had this thought more than once;

How to make spray paint dry faster?

Luckily for you, there are some amazing ways to speed up the process, and you can move on to the next step in your process in no time!

How to Make Spray Paint Dry Faster?

The drying time will differ depending on what you are spray painting. See our drying chart for estimated drying times depending on the object’s material.

With glass and cardboard, you don’t have to wait long for the paint to dry, unlike rubber, glass, and plastic, where you have to wait hours to move on to the next step of your DIY.

We have put together some of the best ways to encourage the paint to dry faster, so you can reduce your waiting time significantly!

In this blog, you will get top tips and insider secrets like using furniture polish or changing your environment and fast-drying results!

See Also:How To Paint A House Interior?

Use a Fast-Drying Spray Paint

Check the label on the spray paint for an estimated time of how long it takes to dry. This will give you a very close time frame that you can expect from your chosen spray paint; this is an estimation so remember that. Many factors go into the drying process, so it can vary from what the bottle says.

Fast-drying spray paint will help your project to dry quicker. So before purchasing your paint, check which has the best drying time and will help you immensely.

Apply a Thin Coat of Paint

One of the best ways to get a faster drying time is to apply thinner coats. The thinner you make them, the quicker the drying time. Spray paint is often applied with thin coats but make sure you are making it as thin as possible when applying.

When you use thicker coats, the paint can take much longer to dry. It may feel sticky to the touch for a long time, meaning you can’t layer for a while.

To get thin coats, avoid overlapping as much as possible and focus on moving your entire hand rather than your wrist, so it spreads evenly.

If you struggle to get thin coats, you can add paint thinner to alter the thickness.

Keep the Air Flowing

Keeping the air flowing is critical when working with any type of paint. Not only does it help prevent you from breathing in toxic chemicals. But it also helps to dry the paint. Before you start painting, make sure you open any windows and keep doors open, allowing the chemicals to escape the room quicker.

If working inside, turn on a fan whilst you are painting, and keep it on when you have finished. This will improve the airflow and will boost the drying time even more.

Run a Heater near the Object

Using a fan is an obvious choice to dry paint faster, and it not only creates more airflow but can also cut down your drying time by hours! Don’t keep it too close to your project as this can damage how the product dries and be very dangerous.

If you are working indoors, you could turn the heating on in your home instead of putting a heater near the object. This will allow the hot air to distribute evenly across the project. Another popular method for someone who wants to use heat to dry their project faster is using a hairdryer. If you want to do this method, you need to ensure you are keeping it at a good distance away from the project so that you are not putting it in danger of getting burnt.

Work outside

Only use this method if it is sunny outside. Working outside in the cold, wet weather can have the opposite effect! Make sure you check the weather the day before you want to paint. Working outside encourages the paint to dry a lot quicker and is safer for you. Paint as early as possible so your project can have a lot of time to dry, and you do not have to work into the night. If you work later at night, the air can become damper and the temperature drops. This can cause moisture to build up on the object, drastically changing your drying time.

Use Furniture Polish

Not many people know this trick, but it can be effective. You can apply wax-based furniture polish to help your spray paint dry faster, and it is really simple to use. Use your spray paint as usual, then apply the furniture polish by holding it a couple of inches above the object and spray the painted surface.

You can layer this if you need to but allow each coat to dry for a minimum of 5 minutes before adding the next layer.

Once it has had a reasonable amount of time to dry, use a soft cloth to wipe off the excess polish that formed gently. Don’t apply too much pressure because you could accidentally wipe off too much of your polish and even damage the painting you have done underneath it.

Depending on what you are painting, you may only need one coat of furniture polish, whereas others may need a couple.

Use a Toaster Oven

When you are confident that the spray paint is touch dry, you can use a toaster oven to cure it completely. Ensure it is touch dry before picking it up, as you don’t want to damage your work. Bake your object at 250degrees F for approximately 2 hours. Before proceeding with this step, check if the paint you used can go in the oven. Some paints can crack when they are exposed to high temperatures.

Do not use a normal oven to dry your spray paint. This can be extremely harmful because toxic chemicals are released into your oven, which will impact your future meals. The food you cook in the oven after you have cooked your spray paint will get released into the food. So only use a toaster oven and ensure no food will be getting cooked in that oven.

Use a Heat Gun

Turn your heat gun to a low-temperature setting. It is usually used to strip paint because of how hot it is, so make sure you turn the heat down. You must be cautious when using a heat gun as they can start fires. Always follow safety precautions if you decide to use this method.

Set the temperature to 450 degrees F. Before starting, check that the temperature is below 750 degrees F; this can boil your paint and make it peel. Also, do not use this method on sensitive surfaces like paper or a traditional painting canvas; stick to using it on wooden objects or painted walls.

When using the gun, move it around, so the temperature gets spread evenly. NEVER keep it in the same area for a long time because this can cause fires! Use the heat gun until the surface is completely dry, which can take 5-15 minutes.

Conclusion

There are so many different ways that your spray paint can dry faster. So, before you start your next project, think about using some techniques to help your drying process. Most standard spray paints dry within 24 hours, so if you have that time to wait, go ahead. There are loads of techniques you can use to speed up the process. Get some supplies to keep your room warm and the airflow great for an amazing outcome! Don’t forget the very handy trick of using the furniture polish too!