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How Long Does Satin Paint Take to Dry? (Answered)

You might already know that different kinds of paints take different time periods to dry depending on several factors, thereby, before choosing satin paint to paint something, you might want to know how long satin paint takes to dry.

Therefore, all the queries regarding this topic have been explained ahead, go through them to find out the answers.

How Long Does Satin Paint Take To Dry?

It just takes about 1 hour for satin paint to get touch-dry outside, and satin paint takes around 2 hours to become dry inside under a normal drying condition. Satin paint dries slowly inside because it isn’t as much exposed to the increased heat and wind as outside which makes it dry fast outside.

Short explanations of different types of satin paints are provided here.

Behr Satin Paint:

Usually Behr satin paint takes 4 to 6 hours to become dry to the touch. But if you apply Behr satin paint when the humidity level is 50% in the air, the paint will dry just in 2 hours.

Satin Acrylic Paint:

You can expect each layer of satin acrylic paint to take 30 minutes to dry if the layers are thin. But if you apply thick layers of satin acrylic paint, it will take up to 2 hours to dry.

Satin Wall Paint:

Satin wall paint will dry in 2 hours as long as the humidity level is 50% in the air and the paint is getting enough airflow and heat.

Valspar Satin Paint:

Valspar stain paint requires a minimum of 4-6 hours to become touch-dry fully and be prepared for the additional coats. 

Oil-Based Satin Paint:

Oil-based satin paint takes the most time to get touch-dry, thus, each coat of oil-based satin paint will take about 6-8 to dry to the touch after being applied on any surface.

Exterior Satin Paint:

Exterior satin paint will take the least time to get dried up fully, after applying satin paint exterior, it will only take around 1 hour to get dry fully.

Satin Enamel Paint:

Satin enamel paint will be touch-dry in 4 hours after applying if there is 50% humidity in the air, and you should let each layer of satin enamel paint dry for at least 8 hours before applying additional coats.

How Long Should Satin Paint Dry Between Coats?

Generally, satin paint is supposed to become dried enough 2 hours after you have applied the paint on a surface for the additional coats further. However, it is considered that just 1 to 3 hours would be enough for satin paint to become touch-dry between coats regardless of the surface, object, or environmental condition.

Since satin paint can be used for both indoor and outdoor purposes, factors like heat and wind affect the drying time of satin paint between coats.

If you have used satin paint outside, it should be dried for at least 1 hour and can be coated with additional layers of satin paint in less than 90 minutes after applying the existing coat. And if the satin paint is applied on any indoor object or surface, the satin paint must dry for 2 hours at least or 3 hours depending on wind and heat before you apply a recoat.

It’s advised to touch and feel the satin paint’s texture before applying recoat, as long as, the paint feels dry, hard, and slick enough, it can be recoated regardless of the time it has been dried for.

4 Factors That Affect The Satin Paint Dry Time?

Several factors are directly responsible for increasing or lessening the drying time of satin paint. Here, the main 5 factors that directly affect the satin paint dry time have been explained below.

Temperature:

The temperature of your surrounding environment has a strong influence on the drying time of satin paint. For instance, satin paint on an indoor project will take a longer time to dry as inside the paint isn’t exposed to heat and wind like outside. On the contrary, satin paint on an outdoor project will dry fastly because outside the paint is exposed to heat and wind more.

Note that regardless of applying satin paint indoors or outdoor, the temperature should stay between 50-90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Humidity:

Humidity is the next major factor that directly affects the satin paint dry time. Humidity simply refers to the moisture level in the air and the higher the humidity level, the longer the drying time of satin paint. It’s because the water in satin paint won’t evaporate fast in increased humidity levels, and will prolong the drying time of satin paint.

For instance, don’t apply satin paint on a rainy day as the humidity level is high on rainy days so the paint will take time to dry.

Ventilation:

Ventilation is another key factor that influences satin paint’s drying time because enough ventilation makes the paint’s water molecules evaporate fast and dry fast. Therefore, if you are doing an indoor project with satin paint, try to keep adequate ventilation in that indoor area so that paint dries up quickly.

Right Application Technique:

Your way of applying the satin paint on an object or surface affects the drying time of the paint too. If you are using a foam roller in one direction to apply satin paint, it will take a shorter time to dry as the streaks will be thin and not runny. But if you are using a paintbrush, especially to paint a large surface with satin paint, the paint will dry slowly because the coats will be thick and runny.

Why Is My Satin Paint Not Drying?

Often many of you are seen complaining that your satin paint is not drying, thus, the possible reasons are explained here for your understanding.

Recoated too Early:

If you have applied an additional layer without letting the existing layer of satin paint dry fully, then the entire finish of satin paint will not dry. It’s because the satin paint will become sticky and runny due to solvent being trapped between the applied satin paint coats.

The Surface Wasn’t Sanded:

It’s essential to sand the surface of the object where you have applied satin paint before applying another coat over the existing one. This is because every dried-up layer of satin paint creates a moisture-resistant layer which must be sanded off before another coat so that the paint sticks and dries nicely.

Wet Surface:

No matter where you are applying the satin paint, the surface of the object must be absolutely dry to let the paint adhere to the surface. If you have applied satin paint on any wet surface, the paint won’t ever dry fast because moisture from the surface will seep through the satin paint making the paint wet.

Too Low Temperature:

Temperature plays a strong role in defining the drying time of satin paint. As long as the temperature is normal and ranging between 50-90 degrees Fahrenheit, satin paint will dry well. But any temperature below 50 degrees Fahrenheit regardless of being inside or outside is highly humid for the satin paint to dry well.

How Do You Dry Satin Paint Quickly?

Widely used top 3 methods of making satin paint dry quickly have been listed here, you can follow them to lessen the drying time of satin paint.

Use Paint Dryer:

Using a paint dryer by mixing it with satin paint while applying it is not only an effective method but also a proven method that makes the paint dry fast than usual.

The paint dryer is basically a powered-based element that is acquired from copper ions and iron. These irons in the paint dryer powder accelerate the evaporation rate and make the drying time shorter, as well as, hardening resin in satin paint.

Apply Thin Coats Of Satin Paint:

Another way of making the drying time of satin paint fast is to several thin coats of satin paint instead of one thick layer of the paint.

Since satin paint already has a thick consistency, you can either opt for mixing water with water-based satin paint or you can mix mineral spirits if you are using oil-based satin paint. Stir the mixture well and then apply 2-3 thin coats, it will dry fast.

Use Hair Dryer:

You can use your hairdryer to make the drying process of satin paint faster if you are working on an indoor project. Just set your dryer on medium heat and for 5 minutes move your hairdryer while pointing at the paint. The heat from the hair dryer will make the solvent in satin paint evaporate fast making the paint dry quickly.

Final Words

Depending on the weather condition, temperature, humidity, and how much satin paint is to heat and airflow, satin paint indoors will be taking around 2 hours to dry, whereas, satin paint on any outdoor project will be taking just about 1 hour to get touch-dried.