How Long Does Spray Paint Take to Dry?

Are you curious how long it takes for spray paint to dry? Stick around as we will share the answer…

Using spray paint is popular for mural art because of the ease of application and fast-drying effect. Unlike regular paint, spray paint doesn’t need any application tools like brushes; you can simply paint material by direct application after the nozzle is pressed.

So, exactly how long does spray paint take to dry specifically? We will discuss the factors affecting the drying time and the average drying time for common materials.

Where to Use Spray Paint

The common application of spray paint is on furniture when people use it to add to or change the color of wood or metal.

Spray paint easily coats any material with color with a simple press of the spray’s nozzle. It is a perfect choice because you can simply wave your hand to apply the paint without the use of any tools.

With spray paint, you can easily achieve an even color coating. Aside from furniture, this product is also used for vehicles, bicycles, and other items. It is versatile and portable, making it easy to store at home.

Home decorators also use spray paint to work on artwork and other pieces. Be it a light fixture, wall clock, side table accessories, and even chairs or tables, using spray paint is more productive than traditional painting using a brush.

Additionally, spray paint dries quickly, and significantly faster than regular paint. However, the estimated time for spray paint to dry depends on the material of the surface.

Factors Affecting Spray Paint Drying Time

There are several factors that affect the drying time of spray paint. First is the texture of the material. A latex texture like plastic or rubber requires more time to dry.

Humidity also matters when drying the paint. If you are painting in humid environments, the drying time will increase no matter what you’re painting on.

If you are also applying additional layers, the drying time will be longer. If you are painting plastic, you are looking at more than two hours of wait time to make sure the paint dries completely.

It is also important to note that the wind makes the paint dry faster. This is why experts recommend spraying painting outdoors so the paint dries easily.

However, if the situation requires you to apply spray paint indoors, you can use a fan to dry the coat more quickly.

Four Stages of Spray Paint Drying

If you’re painting furniture or home decor, you need to understand the four stages of spray paint drying.

1. Surface Dry

The first stage of drying is surface drying when the solvent evaporates and a thin membrane of the paint is visible on the surface. During this stage, you cannot touch the material because the paint is still sticky. It would help to use a fan to make drying faster.

2. Touch Dry

When it comes to touch dry, note that the paint will likely come off once light pressure is applied. This means touching the surface will damage the paint. Leave it for a while because, at this point, the paint is still not totally dry.

3. Hard Dry

At this stage, the paint is already dry but you cannot apply too much pressure because the paint can be damaged. Your fingerprint can still show on the surface when you press the paint firmly. Wait a few more minutes until the paint is thoroughly dry.

4. Thorough Dry

When the paint is thoroughly dry, no matter how hard you press, the paint won’t come off. It is good to go and you can use the material now. Inspect the other surfaces to see if everything is completely dry.

Spray Paint Drying Times Per Material

Different materials require different drying times. This is because of the material’s texture, thickness, and other factors.

Here are common materials and their drying times.

Metal

Spray paint dries faster on metal surfaces. The average drying time for metal is around 10 minutes or less, depending on the room temperature.

Cardboard

Cardboard is tricky because the surface is soft and paint makes the material quite damp. However, the drying will likely be about 15 minutes to 20 minutes.

Glass

Spray paint used on glass is prone to drips and streaks. Therefore, you need to apply a coat as lightly as possible. Then, take a 15-minute break between applications to make sure each coat dries. All in all, the drying time for glass is less than 30 minutes.

Plastic

Plastic requires more than 30 minutes of drying time because of its texture. Obviously, if you apply more than one coat, you need to wait for more, hence, the average drying time is less than one hour.

Conclusion

Using spray paint is easy because you don’t need to use any application tool. The drying time is also quicker compared to traditional paint.

Hope you learned something new today and enjoyed our article about how long it takes for spray paint to dry. Cheers!