What additive makes paint dry faster?

Author: Lauren Hills  |  Last update: Saturday, July 26, 2025

Curing additives like Borchi OXY-Coat give painters the freedom to choose when and where to apply their coatings. Borchi OXY-Coat shows improved dry times and anti-wrinkling properties compared to cobalt and other metal carboxylate alternatives, making them the best option for exterior alkyd paint.

Is there an additive to make paint dry faster?

The additive is a substance called a siccative. There are different kinds and types of siccatives. They don't necessarily ``improve'' the drying process of paint, but, rather, accelerate the drying time.

What chemicals make paint dry faster?

Turpentine accelerates the drying time faster than most paint thinners or mineral spirits among other things because it accelerates the polymerization of the oil film since it incorporates oxygen into the mix oxidizing the paint layer from the inside out .

How do you speed up the drying of paint?

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.

What to add to paint to harden it?

HDX Paint Hardener is used to harden latex paints. The superabsorbent powders encapsulate the liquid component of the paint, forming a solid block of material. The hardened paint is acceptable for curbside disposal.

How To Cure Paint Faster

What can I add to paint to make it harder?

ADD HARD COAT - Add 16 oz. of the Hard Coat latex paint additive (1/2 quart) per gallon of latex paint and mix well. Paint as desired. For best results, use the Hard Coat additive in all coats of paint applied.

What stuff makes paint dry faster?

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.

How to speed up drying time?

How to speed up drying clothes
  1. Clean the lint screen. Dryers need good airflow to work properly, and cleaning your lint screen is an easy method to help improve the speed of drying. ...
  2. Clean the vents. ...
  3. Don't overload the dryer. ...
  4. Choose the right dryer cycle.

How do you fix paint that won't dry?

After taking care to protect any unpainted surfaces, spray some white spirit onto any parts that don't seem to be drying. The white spirit should provide the oil-based paint with the solvent it requires to dry.

What accelerates the process of paint drying?

Keep the air moving

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).

How do you increase paint hardness?

The incorporation of metal salts or driers accelerates the drying process. This in turn increases the hardness of alkyd systems. For example, metals like cobalt or manganese. Adding functional glycol ethers also increases the hardness and block resistance of coatings.

Which solvent helps to dry the paint?

Alcohols most commonly used in paints and coatings are butyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol. Alcohols have a low toxicity and can dissolve non-polar compounds and are used in paints and coatings to speed drying time or to thin paint viscosity.

What helps spray paint dry faster?

Full curing can take 24 to 48 hours. Wind can help speed up drying by increasing airflow, while high humidity or low temperatures can extend drying times.

What is Japan drier?

Japan Drier is a special blend of lead-free drying agents that accelerates the drying time of oil-based paint and varnish. Use this product with oil-based paints, oil-based enamels and varnishes.

What liquid is used to thin and make paint dry faster?

In fact, your medium should be as simple as possible—rectified turpentine and linseed or some other drying oil.

What helps oil paint dry faster?

Use fast-drying mediums in your oil-based paint mixtures. Compared to traditional oil mediums, these mediums are made of alkyd medium to speed up the process in oil-based paints. The resin helps the oil paint layers set and creates glazes in the painting.

What shortens drying time?

Blanching is briefly precooking food in boiling water or steam, and it is used to stop enzymatic reactions within the foods. Blanching also shortens drying time and kills many spoilage organisms.

What additive speeds up paint drying?

Similarly, you can use a few types of additives to speed up drying time, while maintaining paint quality, such as Japan Drier. Extenders can improve flow without compromising the drying process, such as M-1 or the Fusion Mineral Paint Extender.

What can I mix with paint to harden it?

(Alternatively, you can use a commercially made paint hardener, purchased from a paint or hardware store) Add more sawdust or litter as necessary, until the consistency of the mixture is crumbly. You will need about as much absorbent material as there is paint.

Will a hair dryer speed up paint drying?

Use a Hairdryer

This is going to be your new best friend if you want your acrylic paint to dry faster.

How to fix paint that has gone hard?

Adding a few drops of warm water is a quick fix for dry paints.

What is flow aid additive?

Liquitex Flow Aid : A binder-free aqueous solution with surfactants. Use in conjunction with any acrylic medium or acrylic color when increased flow and absorption and decreased film tension and friction are required.

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