How Long Does It Take Spray Paint to Dry?
By Stefan Gheorghe
| Updated on 
Stefan Gheorghe Founder/CEO
Stefan Gheorghe is the founder and CEO of Homedit.com. In 2008, he launched the platform out of his passion for interior design and home decoration.
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Spray paint offers a quick and efficient way to coat furniture, metal, plastic, and other surfaces. While it often feels dry to the touch within minutes, full curing takes longer. Drying time depends on paint type, material, surface texture, and environmental conditions.
| Spray Paint Type | Dry to Touch Time |
|---|---|
| Fast-Drying | 5 minutes |
| Epoxy | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
| Acrylic | 1 to 2 hours |
| Rust-Preventive Enamel | 1 to 2 hours |
| Lacquer | 3 hours |
| Latex | 8 hours |
| Oil-Based | 8 hours |
Drying Time by Surface
- Wood: ~1 hour to touch; 24 hours to cure. Porous, may absorb more paint.
- Metal: ~10 minutes to touch; smooth surface dries quickly.
- Plastic: ~30 minutes to touch; needs good adhesion.
- Glass: 2–3 hours to touch; smooth but adhesion is tricky.
- Porous/Rough: Slower due to absorption.
Tip: Dry paint isn’t fully cured dry to the touch means moisture is gone, but full hardness takes more time.
Environmental Factors
- Ideal: 40–80°F and 40–50% humidity.
- Too Cold: Slows drying or freezes paint.
- Too Humid: Extends drying, causes streaks.
- Low Airflow: Delays drying indoors.
Tips to Speed Up Drying
- Apply thin, even coats.
- Use fast-drying formulas.
- Ventilate well: Use fans or open windows.
- Reduce humidity with a dehumidifier.
- For small objects, consider curing in a toaster oven (not for reuse).
- Use wax-based furniture polish for faster sealing.
Spray paint can dry to the touch in as little as 5 minutes, but curing takes 24 hours. Drying time varies by paint type, surface, and environment thin coats and proper conditions lead to the best results.