Spray paint can be a great way to spiff up a DIY project. It comes in all colors and is easy to apply in a smooth layer. But how long should you let your spray paint dry before moving your project?
The time spray paint will take to dry will depend on the brand you are using and the material you are painting. To be on the safe side, you should allow the spray paint 24 hours to cure before using the item. When applying multiple coats, wait at least an hour or two between each one.
Want to learn more about how long you should wait for your specific paint project to dry? Let’s look at what affects spray paint drying time, as well as some of the best spray paint brands.
How Long Does Spray Paint Need to Dry?
Spray paint will require different times to dry based on the spray paint you use and what you are painting. Generally, smoother surfaces will dry much faster than those which are more coarse and porous.
Paints that are made of polyurethane and epoxy will dry faster than those which are made of lacquer. But either of these types of spray paint should dry within a few hours.
Enamel or latex spray paint will need a significant amount of time to dry and should be left at least 8 hours before you use or touch the item you spray painted.
While the can of spray paint will give you a general idea of how much time you should allow it to dry, you should also follow these recommendations for the material you are spray painting.
Plastic
Spray paint can be a great way to give a new look to plastic furniture. It will take at least 24 hours for spray paint to dry thoroughly on plastic, but it should feel somewhat dry to the touch after just 30 minutes.
Wood
For wood, the time you need to let spray paint dry will depend on where the wood is located and the type of surface your wood has. For example, an outdoor fence in a nice breeze may dry in a few hours, but a wooden sign you made on your kitchen table takes all day.
As a general rule, you should let spray paint dry on wood for 2 hours before you add another layer and wait 24 hours before you attempt to move the wood. If you are spray painting outdoor wood, ensure no rain for 24-48 hours from when you plan to spray paint.
Cardboard
Cardboard is the best material to spray paint as it will only take a few minutes to dry. Generally, you can move cardboard within 15 minutes of spray painting.
Metal
Because metal is a bit cooler to the touch, it usually dries the quickest. Most people report that when they spray paint metal, they can move the item after just 10 minutes.
It is recommended, however, to wait 3 hours before you use metal furniture that has been spray painted. In addition, if spray painting something metal outside, you must ensure you have at least 24 hours before the next forecasted rain.
As you can see, to be on the safe side, you should always allow 24 hours for your spray paint to dry before you use the item you spray painted.
How Can You Speed Up the Process?
Several factors impact the drying time of spray paint. This means that by changing some of these factors, you can speed up the drying time of your paint.
Temperature
The temperature outdoors or in the location you spray paint will impact the drying time. In warmer weather, spray paint will dry faster. But if the weather is too warm, this can negatively impact your spray painting experience, which is why it is recommended to spray paint in temperatures between 65°F and 85°F.
Humidity
Humidity significantly impacts how quickly spray paint dries, and you will find that if you live in a humid climate, it will take a significant amount of time for your spray paint to dry. While you can’t control outdoor humidity, there are ways you can change your indoor humidity if you are spray painting in a room or garage.
You can set up a fan or a dehumidifier to help increase air circulation and lower humidity. If you are spray painting in a basement, this is especially recommended, as it will also help lower the fumes in the space.
How Thick the Coats Are
The thicker the paint coats are, the longer they will take to dry. If you are really in a bind and need spray paint to dry fast, you can apply a thinner coat.
However, this is a double-edged sword, as a thinner coat may not yield the desired results, meaning you will have to spray paint again. Therefore it might be better to work on adjusting the temperature and humidity instead.
Does Spray Paint Dry Faster on Wood?
Spray paint takes longer to dry on wood than almost any other material. This is partly because wood is porous and tends to soak up a large amount of paint.
Because wood soaks up so much paint, it typically requires multiple thick coats, so you can’t use thin ones to speed up the drying process. So no matter what wood you spray paint, while it might feel dry to the touch in a few hours, you should wait 24 hours before using that item.
Which Type of Spray Paint is Best for Wood?
Wood is one of the most challenging materials to spray paint because it can be difficult to get the color just right. Not to mention that you have to wait hours between each coat, making it an all-day process.
You can make things easier by purchasing spray paints specifically designed for wood and applying a primer before you begin painting.
Behr spray paint and Color Palace are the best spray paints for painting wood. Not only do they adhere well (they don’t scratch off), but they also are easy to apply and tend to come out exactly as expected based on the color of the can.
Krylon (on Amazon) and Rust-oleum (on Amazon) brands also work, but they scratch very easily. In these cases, you will want to apply a primer, multiple layers, and an enamel finish for the best results.
Final Thoughts on How Long it Takes Spray Paint to Dry
Overall, no matter what you are spray painting, it is a good idea to allow your project 24 hours to dry. This will ensure that the spray paint is fully cured and won’t chip off as you use your item (click here for spray paint removal tips).
You can speed up the process by painting in ideal temperatures and humidity levels if you are really in a bind, but even then, it is still recommended to wait a few hours before you move your spray paint project.