Have you ever had your acrylic paint refuse to dry? It’s frustrating, right? You’re not alone.
The short answer is that acrylic paint fails to dry properly due to several key factors. While acrylic paint is known for its quick-drying properties, issues with temperature, humidity, surface porosity, air circulation, and paint thickness can significantly slow down or even prevent the drying process
In this post, we’ll break down the five reasons your acrylic paint might take its sweet time to dry. We’ll keep it simple, and practical, and give you easy tips to fix the problem. Whether new to acrylics or a seasoned pro, this guide will help you keep your paint drying on schedule.
5 Reasons Your Acrylic Paint Isn’t Drying
.Here are the five main culprits and how to deal with them:
“Acrylic paint dries as water evaporates from it. Anything that affects evaporation will speed up or slow down drying. Humid air? Slower drying. Warm, dry air? Faster drying. It’s that simple.”
– Scott Bennett, Materials Specialist for Golden Paints
1. Temperature
Acrylic paint gets sluggish in the cold, just like we do. The sweet spot for drying is between 70°F and 90°F (21°C to 32°C). If your studio feels more like a fridge, your paint will take its sweet time drying.
Here is the solution. Invest in a space heater or find a warmer spot to paint. Just remember, never let the temperature drop below 50°F (10°C) when working with acrylics, or you might end up with a cracked, powdery mess.
2. Surface Porosity
Acrylic paint loves to snuggle into tiny pores as it dries. But if you’re painting on something smooth like glass or metal, there’s nowhere for it to go.
It’s like trying to dry off with a plastic bag instead of a towel. To combat this, try using a primer designed for slick surfaces or do experiment with different acrylic mediums that enhance adhesion.
3. Humidity
High humidity is like kryptonite to drying paint. Aim for 75% relative humidity or lower in your painting space. If the air’s too moist, your paint will take ages to dry.
Consider using a dehumidifier or painting during the driest part of the day. And whatever you do, avoid using humidifiers or spraying water near your painting – you’re just making the problem worse.
4. Airflow
Still, air is the enemy of drying paint. You need a bit of a breeze to whisk away the water evaporating from your paint. Without it, that moisture just hangs around, making it harder for more water to evaporate.
Open a window for a cross-breeze, use a ceiling fan on low speed, or position a standing fan nearby (but not blowing directly on your wet painting).
5. Paint Thickness
Sometimes you want those juicy, thick layers of paint – we get it. But remember, the thicker you go, the longer it’ll take to dry. Thin layers might dry in 10-20 minutes, while thick impasto techniques could take hours or even days.
For very thick applications or acrylic pours, be prepared to wait up to a week for complete drying. If you’re impatient, try working in layers, allowing each to dry before adding more.
Other Factors to Consider
- Use of Retarders: While these additives can extend working time, too much can lead to a permanently tacky finish. Use sparingly!
- Surface Preparation: Ensure your painting surface is clean and dry before starting.
- Paint Quality: Higher-quality paints often have better drying properties. Consider upgrading if you’re consistently having issues.
Why Is My Acrylic Paint Still Wet?
You know that feeling when you’ve just finished a painting, but hours later it’s still sticky to the touch? Frustrating, right? Let’s chat about why this happens and how to fix it.
Sometimes acrylic paint just doesn’t want to dry. This happens when it hasn’t been fully set, which can be due to a few things. Maybe your room is super damp, or you’ve put the paint on really thick. Or you might have bought cheap paint (we’ve all done it).
The solution? Wait it out. Give it time to dry properly. If you’re in a rush, you can try adding a coat of varnish once it’s mostly dry.
I have written a whole article about sticky acrylic paint and how to avoid it. If you’re having trouble with wet paintings, check it out. It might help you out.
How Long Does It Take to Dry?
So, how long should you wait for acrylic paint to dry? Well, it depends.
Usually, acrylic paint feels dry to the touch in about 20-30 minutes. But it’s not completely dry for 1-3 days. And if you’ve put it on really thick? You could be waiting weeks, especially on smooth surfaces.
Want to keep it wet longer? Here’s a tip from Scott Bennett at Golden Paints:
“Try using things like Retarder or OPEN Thinner. But don’t use too much – keep it under 20% of your paint. We also have slow-drying paint called OPEN Acrylic if you want extra time.”
I’ve written a detailed article about how long acrylic paint takes to dry if you want to learn more about it.
How to Make Acrylic Paint Dry Faster?
Tired of waiting for your acrylic masterpiece to dry? I feel you. Let’s talk about some tricks to speed things up. We’ll look at temperature, surface, humidity, airflow, and paint thickness – all the stuff that affects drying time
Turn Up the Heat (above 70oF (21oC)
Acrylic paint is like a sun-loving tourist – it dries best in warm conditions. Aim to paint in a room that’s at least 70°F (21°C). Think of it as creating a cozy beach for your paint to relax and dry out on.
Now, if you’re really in a hurry, you might be tempted to break out the hairdryer. And that can work! But easy does it. You’re drying paint, not styling it for a night out. Use a low setting and keep the dryer moving. If you hear the paint sizzling or see it bubbling, you’ve gone too far. Back off and let it cool down.
Whatever you do, don’t use a heat gun. Those things get way too hot and can turn your beautiful painting into a crispy, crackly mess. Trust me, I learned that the hard way.
Paint in a less Humidity Environment (75% or less humidity)
High humidity is like kryptonite to drying paint. It’s like trying to dry off while standing in a sauna – not gonna happen. Aim for 75% humidity or less in your painting space.
If you live in a humid area (hello, fellow coastal artists!), a dehumidifier can be a game-changer. It’s like a magic box that sucks the moisture out of the air, giving your paint a fighting chance to dry.
And please, whatever you do, don’t spray water near your painting. I know some folks mist their palette to keep paints workable but keep that spray bottle far away from your drying piece. Your painting isn’t a houseplant – it doesn’t need watering!
Steady Airflow
Good airflow is compulsory for drying paint. It’s all about evaporation, and moving air helps that process along. Open a window, use a fan, do a little dance to create a breeze – whatever works.
But here’s the trick – you want gentle air movement, not a wind tunnel. Don’t aim a strong fan directly at your wet painting. That can lead to uneven drying or worse, it might blow dust onto your wet paint. Aim for a gentle breeze, not a hurricane.
I once set up a fan too close to a wet canvas and came back to find my carefully blended sky had turned into streaky clouds. Lesson learned!
Paint in thin layers
When it comes to drying fast, thin layers are your friend. Thick globs of paint take forever to dry. It’s like the difference between drying off with a thin towel versus a thick, fluffy bathrobe.
Try building up your painting in thin layers instead. It might take a bit more patience, but each layer will dry quickly, and you’ll have more control over the final result. Think of it like making a lasagna – lots of thin layers come together to create something amazing.
Choose porous Surface
The surface you paint on can make a big difference in drying time. Porous surfaces like canvas and wood are like sponges – they’ll soak up some of that wet paint and help it dry faster.
On the other hand, slick surfaces like glass or plastic are like trying to dry off with a raincoat. The paint just sits on top, taking its sweet time to dry.
If you’re working on a non-porous surface and need faster drying times, try priming it first with gesso. It’ll give the paint something to grip onto and can speed up the drying process.
I once tried to paint directly on a glass vase without priming. Two days later, I could still smudge the paint with my finger. Not my brightest moment!
Remember, every artist’s studio is different, and what works for me might not work for you. Play around with these tips and see what gives you the best results. And hey, sometimes a little drying time isn’t so bad – it gives you a chance to step back and really look at your work. You might spot something you want to change or improve.
If you want to dive deeper into the world of acrylic paint, I have written a couple of acrylic paint-related articles you might find helpful. There’s one on how to tell if your acrylic paint has gone bad, including tips on drying and storage
Frequently Asked Questions
Does paint quality affect drying time?
Absolutely yes! better quality paints often dry faster and more evenly. They have a better balance of pigments and binders – that’s the stuff that makes paint stick together and dry properly.
Cheap paint might save you a few bucks now, but it could cost you time and frustration later. If you can swing it, invest in good-quality paints. Your future self will thank you when you’re not waiting days for your masterpiece to dry!
How does the temperature change drying time?
Temperature is super important for drying paint. It’s like Goldilocks – it needs to be just right. Here’s the breakdown:
Below 50°F (10°C): Paint might not dry right at all. It’s like trying to get a tan in the Arctic. 50-70°F (10-21°C): Slow drying. The paint’s on a lazy vacation. 70-90°F (21-32°C): Perfect! This is the sweet spot where paint dries best. Above 90°F (32°C): Too hot. Can cause problems like bubbling or cracking.
If your room is too cold, try using a space heater. If it’s too hot, maybe open a window or use air conditioning. Just remember, don’t put wet paintings in direct sunlight or near a heater – that’s asking for trouble!
Why is airflow important for drying paint?
Good airflow is like a superhero for drying paint. Here’s why it’s so great:
It helps carry away the moisture from your drying paint. Think of it like a gentle breeze blowing away tiny paint raindrops. It also helps control humidity in your space. But remember, you want gentle air movement, not a hurricane in your studio.
You can create good airflow by opening windows on opposite sides of the room for a cross breeze. Or use a fan, but keep it on low, and don’t point it directly at your painting. It’s about creating a comfortable environment for your paint to dry, not giving it a wind tunnel test!
Conclusion
Acrylic paint can be stubborn about drying when it’s cold, humid, or there’s no air moving. It also dries slowly if you paint it on thick or use smooth surfaces.
The good news? You can control how fast your paint dries. Warm up your room, reduce humidity, use thin layers, pick rough surfaces, and keep air flowing. It’s like being a paint DJ – you’re in charge of the drying tempo!
If you want your paint to stay wet longer, try OPEN acrylics from Golden. They’re great for slow workers.
Remember, every artist’s space is different. Play around with these tips and see what works for you. Happy painting!
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