Satin paint contains more sheen than flat or eggshell paint, but less sheen (or gloss) than semi-gloss and high-gloss paint.
Satin paint takes around 1-2 hours to dry between coats and around 24 hours to cure (fully dry).
The exact dry and cure times are determined by the room temperature and humidity levels, number of coats, coat viscosity, and surface type.
How Long Does Satin Paint Take to Dry Between Coats?
Satin paint takes around 1-2 hours to dry between coats. The exact dry time depends on the room humidity and temperature levels, coat viscosity, number of coats, and surface type.
Satin paint dries through solvent evaporation — the faster the solvent (oil or water) evaporates, the faster the paint dries.
For instance, satin paint dries faster if the temperature is higher than 50°F (10°C) and the humidity is lower than 50% because the paint solvent (oil or water) evaporates faster from the coating.
Once the paint dries enough for a re-coat, it becomes enough hard (or rigid) to support additional paint coatings. If you re-coat the paint too soon, the finish will remain wet longer, turn tacky or sticky, or peel off.
To know if paint is dry enough for a re-coat, inspect the finish. The satin paint is dry if its finish looks hard (rigid) and glossy. If the paint finish looks moist or wet, it hasn’t dried yet.
How Long Does Satin Paint Take to Cure?
Satin paint takes around 24 hours to cure (fully dry). The paint cure time refers to the period it takes the paint coating to go from wet to reaching its maximum durability, strength, and adhesion.
Once satin paint cures its coating becomes water-resistant, produces a glossy topcoat, and you can clean, use, or expose the coating to water.
The paint must cure (fully dry) before you can seal it. Once you seal the paint, the solvent can’t evaporate and the coating can’t cure, so the paint must complete the curing process before sealing.
How To Make Satin Paint Dry Faster?
To make satin paint dry faster, do the following things.
- Use a Paint Dryer.
- Increase the Solvent Evaporation Rate.
- Thin Satin Paint Before Applying.
1. Use a Paint Dryer
A paint dryer (or a drying agent) is a substance added to paint to accelerate the drying and curing process. The paint is mixed with the drying agent before application to make the paint film harden faster.
To make paint dry faster with a drying agent, do the following things.
- Pour satin paint into a bucket.
- Add the paint dryer (or drying agent) to the paint.
- Mix the mixture for 5 minutes.
- Apply the paint.
Only add the drying agent before paint application. If you add it too early, the drying agent can make the paint dry inside the container.
2. Increase the Solvent Evaporation Rate
Since satin paint dries through evaporation, increasing the solvent evaporation rate makes the paint dry faster. The solvent evaporation rate in the context of painting refers to the speed at which the solvent (oil or water) evaporates from the coating and leaves a hard paint film behind.
To increase the solvent evaporation rate, do the following things.
- Use a hairdryer at medium temperature or place a heater near the paint coating.
- Move the hairdryer over the paint coating for 5 minutes.
- Wait 30 minutes.
- Use the hairdryer for 5 minutes.
- Allow the paint to dry naturally.
Don’t dry the paint completely using a hairdryer or heater as it makes the particles dry too fast and create a weak cracked paint finish.
3. Thin Satin Paint Before Applying
Thinner satin paint coatings dry faster than thicker coatings as there are fewer solvents and additives to evaporate. So, to make paint dry faster, thin it before application.
To thin water-based satin paint, use water. To thin oil-based stain paint, use mineral spirits. Use a thinning ratio of 3:1 (3 parts paint to 1 part thinner).
To thin satin paint, do the following things.
- Pour satin paint into a clean paint bucket.
- Add the required paint thinner.
- Stir the mixture with a mixer or turning stick.
- Test the mixture before applying it.
Outdoors vs Indoors Dry Time
Satin paint dries faster outdoors than indoors during summer and hot weather and dries slower outdoors than indoors during winter or cold weather.
Since satin paint dries through evaporation, the paint will dry faster if the temperature is higher than 50°F (10°C) and humidity lower than 50% because the solvent evaporates faster.
The paint will take two times longer to dry if the weather is cold, or moist, or humidity is higher than 50%.
Why Isn’t Satin Paint Drying?
Satin paint isn’t drying for the following reasons.
- Re-coated Too Soon: The paint will remain wet longer and take longer to dry if you re-coat it too soon.
- Wet Surface: The moisture in the wet surface will prevent the paint from adhering or drying properly.
- High Humidity: The paint takes longer to dry if the humidity is higher than 50% as the solvent takes longer to evaporate during moist conditions.
- You Didn’t Sand: Satin paint has a glossy finish that prevents paint penetration or adhesion. If you re-coat the paint without sanding, the existing glossy coat will prevent the new coat from penetrating or adhesion, and the coating will remain wet for longer.
