If you have a new DIY project coming up, you might be asking how long will it take for acrylic paint take to dry?
The exact drying time will depend on the brand of the paint and the painting surface. We will cover all the details in this guide so you can easily plan and get painting.
How long acrylic paint takes to dry? The porous surface you are painting will affect the drying time.
Here are some common surfaces and how long it takes for acrylic paints dry on porous surfaces and others:

Factors That Affect The Drying Time Of Acrylic Painting
Humidity
Humidity will make the paint take longer to dry. When there is more moisture in the air, it will get into the paint film and take longer to dry. You might want to consider using a dehumidifier or painting when humidity is under 85% so that the paint dries faster.
Temperature
Everyone asks, "Does acrylic paint dry faster in heat or cold?" High temperatures will speed up the drying process. Avoid overheating: It can create bubbles in the paint film.
However, you should not do outdoor paint on a very dry day because the paint might crack.
You can paint indoors, though, where there is air conditioning and you can control the room's temperature during paint drying process.
Air Circulation
Good air circulation will speed up the paint's drying time or paint's dry time. However, you shouldn't have the project directly under air conditioning units or under a heating duct. Overheating can create bubbles in the paint film.
Having it in the same room is fine, though. You can also open up some windows and turn on a ceiling fan to get air flowing.
Paint Thickness
Thicker layers of paint will always take longer to dry, and thin layers or thin coats will have shorter drying process times i.e. thin layer of paint dries faster. The paint layers also affect the drying period.
If you want to recoat the paint several times, you will have a project with a much longer drying time. Make sure you recoat slowly to have the best-looking project.
Surface Absorbency
Absorbent surfaces will always dry acrylic paint faster The material will absorb the moisture in the paint film and cause the paint to dry much faster.
You can always use a primer to get a more efficient drying period and to make the surface more absorbent. Primed surfaces will always dry faster.

How Long Does Acrylic Paint Take To Dry Between Coats?
The amount of time the paint can take to dry between coats depends on the how many coats and thickness of the coats, paint quality and the environment you are painting in. Coats of professional acrylic paint take about 10 to 20 minutes to dry.
Thicker coats can take an hour or two. Make sure the paint feels dry to the touch before you start applying the next coat.
If you apply the next coat too soon, the paint underneath might lift up or start to peel away. Allowing the layer to dry before applying the next one will also allow you to put multiple colors on top of one another.
Popular Acrylic Paint Brands And Their Actual Drying Times
Every paint brand has different drying periods. Here are the most common brands and how long they typically take to dry.
Paint Brand | Thick Coat Dry Time | Thin Coat Dry Time |
---|---|---|
Castle Art Supplies Acrylic Paint | 1 hour to 3 days | 10 to 20 minutes |
Maimeri Acrylic Paint | 1 hour to several days | 10 to 20 minutes |
Blick Studio Acrylic Paint | 1 to 2 hours | 20 to 30 minutes |
Winsor & Newton Acrylic Paint | 1 to 2 hours | 20 to 30 minutes |
Liquitex Acrylic Paint | 1 hour to several days | 10 to 20 minutes |
Utrecht Acrylic Paint | 1 hour to 3 days | 10 to 20 minutes |
Tri-Art Acrylic Paint | Several hours | 5 minutes |
Can I Speed Up & Slow Down Acrylic Paint Dry Time?
How can I make acrylic painting dry faster than oil based paint?
The best way to make acrylic paint dry faster than oil based paints is to paint in a dry and warm location. Low humidity and a slight wind might also help.
Some people also use heat lamps, hair dryers, or heat guns if the weather and humidity are not ideal.
You should also avoid thick layers of paint if you want a fast drying period. Thick layer takes longer time to dry.
If you want to slow drying acrylic paint, you can paint in a cool and damp location.

Some people need slow drying paints because they need to be able to mix paints on the canvas or make certain designs. You should also avoid fans and heaters near your workplace. This will allow slow drying acrylics by a few minutes.
If you need more than a few minutes for professional acrylic paint dry slower, you might want to use a slow drying mediums or wetting spray that can extend drying time. Wet palettes are ideal for taking an extended painting break.
For example, you add a paint retarder to the paint, or you can keep the paint stored in airtight containers rather than in its original packaging.
Acrylic Paint Drying FAQs
How can you tell if acrylic paint is dry?
If you touch the paint and it’s still cold or sticky, then the paint is not dry. Acrylic paint dries on the outside first because of evaporation process.
Does acrylic paint harden?
Yes, when acrylic paint dries completely, it will harden. This can take about 24 hours, but it will be dry to the touch in about 2 hours.
How long does acrylic paint last?
Most acrylic painting will last about 10 years. Different types of paint have different lifespans.
How do you seal acrylic paint?
To seal acrylic paint, you will need to apply a varnish. Make sure the paint is completely dry before you apply the sealer.
Final Thoughts
Acrylic paint can have various drying times depending on the painting surface and the brand of paint you are using.
Some can dry in as little as 10 minutes, and others will take hours to dry if you are using thick coats.