Spray paint drying time varies widely depending on the type of paint, surface, and environmental conditions. Generally, spray paint can be dry to the touch anywhere from 5 minutes up to 8 hours, with full curing taking about 24 hours.

Drying Times by Paint Type

• Fast-drying spray paint: about 5 minutes to dry to touch
• Epoxy spray paint: 30 minutes to 1 hour
• Acrylic spray paint: 1 to 2 hours
• Rust-preventive enamel spray paint: 1 to 2 hours
• Lacquer spray paint: around 3 hours
• Latex spray paint: up to 8 hours
• Oil-based spray paint: up to 8 hours

Drying Times by Surface

• Metal: dry to touch in about 10 minutes, but full cure can take up to 24 hours
• Plastic: dry to touch in about 30 minutes, full cure around 24 hours
• Wood: dry to touch in about 1 hour, but can take up to 24 hours to fully cure due to porosity

Factors Affecting Drying Time

• Surface texture: smoother surfaces dry faster
• Temperature: warmer temperatures (65-85°F) speed drying
• Humidity: high humidity slows drying
• Thickness of paint layers: thinner coats dry faster
• Airflow: good ventilation accelerates drying

Summary

Spray paint usually dries to the touch within minutes to a few hours depending on type and conditions, but it is best to allow 24 hours for full curing before handling or stacking painted items. Applying thin coats and painting in warm, dry, well-ventilated areas will help speed up drying times