The answer is yes. A fan can help get the air flowing in your painting space. You can use an overhead or freestanding fan to get your paint to dry faster. Just be sure to make sure it's positioned properly.
Air flow is your friend here. A fan blowing air across the paint is the best method to speed up drying time. Fire method is not safe, you can try to use a space heater or hair dryer but be sure to monitor it at all times.
Common Factors Affecting Paint Drying Time
Temperature – the colder the temperature, the longer it takes paint to dry. Humidity – the lower the humidity, the faster the dry time. Airflow – the better the airflow, the faster the dry time. Thickness of paint layers – thicker paint layers will take longer to dry.
Adding an absorbent material, such as kitty litter or sawdust, will speed the drying process.
Does paint dry quicker in heat or cold? Paint dries quicker in heat. However, high humidity doesn't allow paint to evaporate adequately. Dry heat, as opposed to humid heat, is best.
Use a Hairdryer
My not-so-secret weapon for drying my pieces is a hairdryer! This is going to be your new best friend if you want your acrylic paint to dry faster. I often use mine between layers so that I'm able to move on more quickly.
Wind: Air movement speeds drying because fresh air passing over a wet paint film helps liquids in the paint to evaporate; dry times are generally specified assuming little or no air movement.
Sunlight prevents the paint from drying smoothly. Certain types of paints dry quicker than others, especially latex. When you're painting in hot, sunny weather, more time is needed between coats. When a second coat is added too soon, the paint may peel off from the moisture collecting underneath.
just a tip to save time, go grab your hair dryer out of the bathroom. and use that on high heat. to dry your paint in between steps. with acrylic craft paint, you can do this.
Applying the second coat too early will result in lost time, money, and effort. Not only that but it'll also create additional stress that's not necessary. Applying the second coat too early will result in streaks, peeling paint, and uneven color.
Quick Drying Time
Imagine your favorite shirt damp from the wash, and you only have an hour before leaving. The fan-drying clothes technique has got you covered. With a simple household fan and properly spun clothes in your washer, you can get your clothes fan-dried quickly. Phenomenal, isn't it?
It is typically safe to apply a second coat after four hours for latex paint and 24 hours for oil-based paint. Latex paint is dry to the touch in about one hour, while oil-based paint is dry to the touch in about six to eight hours.
Air Circulation: Good airflow can help reduce the drying time by moving the moist air away from the paint surface. This allows the drier air to absorb more moisture from the paint. This is why you can dry your acrylic paint with a fan or even a blow-dryer on low heat.
Temperature, humidity and airflow are the three main components that affect the dry time of paint. Regulate all three by opening the windows in the area you're painting—just make sure the air outside isn't more humid than the air inside. Try to choose the warmest, driest day of the week to tackle your painting project.
Turn on a ceiling fan and/or position a few portable fans strategically around the place – good air circulation will accelerate the evaporation of the moisture in your paint and ensure it dries as quickly as possible. Open the windows too, unless it's particularly humid outside (more on that below).
Most paints take 24-48 hours to dry but up to 7 days to fully cure. Excessive rain can cause peeling, flaking, or bubbling if the paint hasn't fully cured. Always follow the paint manufacturer's recommended curing times to avoid costly repairs.
Each paint formula is different, but as a general rule, for most oil-based paints, the ideal temperature to apply should be between 40 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. For latex-based paints, it's 50 to 85 degrees, although some more innovative paints are formulated to dry at lower temperatures, even as low as 35°F.
Mix an equal amount of an absorbent material such as cat litter into the paint can and allow the paint to dry. In addition to cat litter, you can use sawdust, plaster of Paris, Oil-dri, or a product called waste paint hardener which can be purchased at home improvement stores.
Temperature: Nighttime temperatures are usually cooler, which is great for painting, but avoid painting if it's too cold or humid. Drying Time: Nighttime conditions may slow down drying, so give the paint extra time to dry before applying additional coats.
You can still get a little bit of sticking, which is the difference between dry to the touch vs. cure time. Manufacturers will typically say that a paint will dry on average in about an hour but in reality it's going to take 30 days to cure and reach its full optimum hardness.
To aid in the drying process, you can place your project in front of a fan but be careful not to be too close to disturb the paint. Also, be sure your room is dust free to avoid blowing dust into the wet paint. You can also use a blow dryer, using the lowest speed, and stay away at least 6 inches from your project.