How Long Does Spray Paint Take To Dry? – Detailed Guide

Spray paint has become my current obsession when it comes to DIY projects because of its multifaceted uses. You can feel completely free and can explore your painting skills thanks to the compatibility of these spray paints with a large number of materials. In contrast to the expensive paint spraying guns, spray paint is much more affordable and convenient to use. It has made it easier for DIYers to have the same finish as that of spray guns at home.

You can uplift a boring and plain wall by portraying an amazing work of art on it, you can redo an old chair or table into a new one by simply applying two or three coats of spray paint, or you can customize your bike or car by painting your favorite designs on it.

Apart from these decorative purposes, you can use spray paint to repair the damaged or scratched materials. If you are a fresher when it comes to using spray paints, then you can mess up only when you don’t know how long does spray paint take to dry. Don’t worry I have got you covered. Keep reading to find out.

How Long Does Spray Paint Take To Dry?

It might seem like a simple question to answer, but in reality, it is not. There are many different factors that might vary and affect the drying time for your paint project. Well, generally speaking, spray paints might take two to three hours to dry completely.

Whereas, if you are just curious to know the dry time of the spray paint, then it clearly relies on the type of material or base that you want to paint on. If you have a rigid and plain surface that does not have pores to absorb the paint, then the paint will take less time to lose its stickiness as compared to the ones with pores.

Why It Is Important To Know The Dry Time Of Spray Paints?

If you are a newbie and have never used spray paints before, then you might be wondering why one even needs to know it. However, it is really important to know the answer to this question because it makes your task a lot easier and less messy. If you don’t know how much time it takes, then you can end up ruining your DIY project by touching it before the time.

This can not only smear the coat that you have applied and affect the clean finish too. If you want to apply multiple coats, such as in the case of redoing the old furniture, you will have to wait for the prior layer to dry before applying the next one.

If you have not waited for long enough, then you can also ruin your sander as the paint can stick to it. It is really important to wait patiently in order to achieve a professional finish at home.

Factors That Affect The Dry Time Of Spray Paints

Before starting any spray paint project, you must have know-how about what factors can affect the drying time of spray paint and how to control them. Don’t worry, if you are new to spray paint because here I have listed all that you will ever need to know.

All these factors play a role while you have to surface dry, hard dry, touch dry, or completely cure your art piece. So, without further ado, let’s sink into the details.

1. The Type Of Material On Which Spray Paint Is Applied

When it comes to the time duration that the spray paint coats take largely depends upon the material that you have selected to work on. Your one project might not take the same time as the other one just because you are working on a different surface.

You must know how much time these different materials can take, so you can select the most appropriate one. Here are some of the various surfaces and the time they take to dry. Scroll down to find out.

1.1. Metal

Metal is one of the most used surfaces for spray painting because it dries really quickly. You don’t have to waste your time waiting for the paint to dry. It dries in less than 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Wood furniture

Wood furniture is largely selected by DIYers when it comes to spray paint. You can completely change a piece of vintage furniture into a modern one by changing its color. Nowadays bright colored wooden furniture is trending.

With the help of spray paint, you don’t even have to buy a new one as you can apply two to three coats of paint on the old one to make it completely new. Wood materials take up to 1 to 1 and half hours to dry.

3. Plastic materials

Plastic materials such as bottles can be painted easily. You can make your own garden vase by recycling old plastic bottles. Plastic surfaces usually take half an hour to dry after the application of a fairly thin coat.

4. Glass surfaces

Glass surfaces work really well as the vibrant spray paint colors really pop up when used on clear glass. It will take around 10 to 20 minutes to dry.

5. Cement walls

Cement walls are one of the favorite surfaces of painters to portray their skills on. It takes less than 10 minutes to dry on the walls.

2. Air Flow

Air circulation is really important when it comes to dealing with any form of paint. Airflow can help the painters in redoing the time taken for drying. But, in the case of spray paints, you will have to make sure to be careful. If the airflow is really high, then the paint vapors can fly away and can come in contact with your hands or eyes. So, if it is not blowy outside, then it is ideal for you to paint in your backyard or garden.

3. Thickness of Coat

It is evident that a thinner coat will take less time, no matter what type of surface you are applying the spray paint on. This will not only help you complete your project quicker than before but will also provide you with a much smoother finish. If you are afraid of not properly coating the surface, then you can go for dual coating of a thin layer of paint. In comparison to the thick coat, you must opt for a thinner one to save time.

4. Weather

You might be wondering how weather affects the drying time of spray paint. Well, the level of humidity and heat can alter the time paint takes to dry. According to my previous experience with spray paints, I consider sunny and less humid days as ideal ones for spray painting. When the weather is hot, the paint dries quickly as the heat helps the paint to evaporate. Whereas, highly humid weather can make it difficult for painters to dry their painted surfaces.

5. Polish

If you have full control over all the previously mentioned factors, but still struggle to make your painted surface dry, then a polisher might be the one thing that can help you lower your drying time. The application of polish can truly affect the time taken, but it is necessary to have a polisher that is compatible with the material that you are using. If you have found a polisher, then apply a few coats of it after applying the coat of spray paint.

How can you make spray paint dry faster?

Spray paints can take time when it comes to dry. You will have to wait for the first coat to dry, before applying the second one. If you are not patient enough to wait, then you can try applying a thinner layer of paint, putting the material out in the sun, keeping it in front of a fan, or painting it outside in the garden. The best thing is to select the day for painting depending upon the weather.

Final Thoughts

Spray paints have made painting easier for immature painters. From changing the interior, decorating a wall, and customizing your vehicle, to spicing up your backyard, you can use spray paints in almost all types of DIY projects. Here I have brought to you the answer to the most asked question, how long does spray paint take to dry? I hope that now you can freely showcase your art and feeling in your DIY spray paint projects without worrying about anything else. Happy painting.