Nowadays, more and more people use chalk paint because of its advantages; Chalk paint doesn’t require any primer, and It is easy to use. It has no odor, and it is harmless to people.
So you can use chalk paint like interior paint. Most people favor chalk paint because it dries fast.
So, that could be excellent news if you are going to do a painting project.
But exactly how long does it take to dry?
Quick Answer:
Let`s find out more about all the other things you might find interesting to read regarding the trying times of chalk paint.
Differences between drying and curing
Although they seem the same, they differ. Drying time is the time that is recommended length between coats. It is also called recoat time.
Curing time is the length of time that is advisable to subject your painted project to use.
Drying and curing time depending on some factors. For instance, humidity, temperature, method of application, type of paint, and painted surface are the main factors that affect drying and curing.
Does chalk paint dry fast?
Chalk paint dries very quickly, really fast. It is dry to the touch within a few minutes. The key reason for quick drying time is chalk paint is water-based. And also, chalk paint has a low level of chemicals, synthetic resins, and additives that affect its drying time.
Chalk paint dries between 10 minutes and an hour. Averagely, it takes 15 minutes to dry to touch, and you can recoat the chalk paint in less than an hour.
Generally, chalk paint will take about an hour to dry. But this also depends on the brand of chalk paint and the surface you are painting.
Some other factors make chalk paint dry faster. One of them is that chalk paint uses a large volume of plasters as a paint binder.
Chalk paint has a low level of chemicals, additives, and resins. These elements are used to make the finish improve. But they also make the paint dry slowly. As chalk paint has very few additives, chalk paint dries very fast.
It is necessary to mention that there isn’t any type of paint that dries as quickly as chalk paint. As chalk paint is water-based and has no VOCs, it dries fast.
Tip: The temperature of the room, weather, and humidity should be perfect to let the chalk paint dry faster. So don’t use chalk for painting during the wintertime or at night when it is cold and moist.
How long does chalk paint take to cure
There is a big difference between the drying and curing time of the chalk paint. The appearance of the color will not vary.
The chalk paint will scratch with light pressure even when it is dry. But when it is cured, it will not scratch with any light pressure.
It takes between 24 hours to a week for chalk paint to cure
Curing time means how long to wait before chalk paint can be used, handle the weight, and be cleaned. If you use or clean the surface before it is cured, you will damage the chalk paint. You should approximately wait 24 hours, to allow the chalk paint fully cures.
Curing time also depends on temperature and humidity. When it is cold and moist, it takes two weeks to cure.
How long between coats of chalk paint
Chalk paint dries fast, but this doesn’t mean you can recoat the chalk paint within a few minutes.
Before attempting any other coats of chalk paint, you need to wait until the paint dries fully. If you apply another coat after the first, you will put the first one at risk.
You should let the chalk paint dry in 30 minutes to recoat. But waiting a couple of hours may not help according to the environment you live in. So, the recommendation is to wait 24 hours.
Although the chalk paint dries very quickly, it doesn’t mean it is ready for recoating. Before applying a second coat, the existing coat should dry fully. If it is dry and hard, the second coat will sit well.
The drying time of chalk paint is misleading when applying a second or third coat. After the first coat, it may seem dry and ready to touch within a few minutes. But it doesn’t mean the chalk paint is dry enough for a second coat.
Before the second coat of chalk paint, the first coat should be dry. It takes between 30 minutes and an hour to be ready for another coat.
How long should chalk paint dry before applying wax
To apply wax, you should wait for the chalk paint to cure. Drying time is very short to apply wax, so let the chalk paint cure. You will wait at least 24 hours before applying wax.
If you apply the wax to your chalk paint when it is still wet, it will cause problems.
It may often lead to cracking, blotching, or clouding of the wax. And also, it may cause yellowing of the wax. So waiting at least 2 days or three is recommended to wait before applying wax. This time period gives chalk paint to dry fully and prevents problems from occurring.
How to make chalk paint dry faster
If you are in a hurry and want your chalk paint to dry faster, there are some methods to use to make chalk paint dry faster. In the following lines, we will show the best methods for your chalk paint to dry more quickly.
Method 1: Use paint thinner
Chalk paint is thick enough, so thick coats may take longer to dry. So, applying chalk paint directly takes longer to dry. If you make the chalk paint thinner, it will dry faster when you apply it.
1. Pour the chalk into a paint bucket.
In the first step, you should take a clean old paint bucket. It should be without any leftover paint or water. Then pour the chalk paint from its container into the old paint bucket.
2. Add water to the chalk.
The next step is adding water to the chalk paint. Chalk is water-based so the paint will be thinned with added water. You make chalk paint lighter by making it thinner. You can add ¼ cup of water to a cup of chalk paint.
3. Stir the mixture.
To stir the water and chalk paint together, you can use a paint mixer or turning stick. Stir the paint until it has consistency, flow, and color. You can apply the paint once it has a uniform appearance.
Method 2: Use a Heater or Hairdryer.
If you increase the evaporation rate in the paint coating, you make the chalk paint dry faster. Increasing the heat around the paint coating is the best way to increase evaporation. You can use a heater or hairdryer to do this.
When you turn on the heater or hairdryer, you should set them to medium. The higher temperatures cause the blister of chalk paint. Then you should move the heater around the surface applied chalk paint to increase evaporation.
Although using a heater helps make the chalk paint dry faster, it is not recommended not to do so. Because when you make the chalk paint dry too fast, it will not bind to the surface well. As a result, the chalk paint fade, crack, and also fall off.
Method 3: Increase air circulation
After applying chalk paint, increasing air circulation around the paint coating will help it dry faster. To increase air circulation, you can:
- Open all windows and doors;
- Open the air vents in the room;
- Turn on all the fans in the room.
1. Apply thin coats. They will dry faster.
2. Apply the chalk paint in open spaces or outdoors.
3. Apply the chalk paint early on the day
4. Do not apply more coats than two coats
5. Let the first coat will dry before recoating. If you don’t, the paint will be sticky for several hours.
Does chalk paint dry darker or lighter?
Chalk paint can dry either darker or lighter depending on the paint color and how many coats are applied.
For example, a light color may dry darker if multiple coats are applied, while a dark color may dry lighter if only one coat is applied.
The best way to determine how your chalk paint will dry is to test it on a small section first.
How long does chalk paint take to dry on different materials
Chalk paint is light water-based. So it dries very quickly. Chalk paint is designed to be used on different materials.
When it comes to saying drying time, it mostly depends on some other factors. The type of material chalk that should be applied is also one of them.
How long does chalk paint take to dry on wood?
Chalk paint is a very versatile paint that can be used on a variety of surfaces, including wood. It is known for its matte finish and easy application and can be a great option for painting furniture or other household items.
Chalk paint dries relatively quickly, usually within 1-2 hours even on wood. So it is a good option for projects that need to be completed in a timely manner.
However, it is important to note that chalk paint can take longer to dry in humid or cold conditions, so it is best to paint in a well-ventilated area with moderate temperatures.
How long does chalk paint take to dry on glass?
Chalk paint can take anywhere from a few hours to a day or two to dry on glass, depending on the thickness of the paint and the temperature and humidity of the environment.
If you’re in a hurry, you can speed up the drying process by using a hair dryer or placing the glass in a warm, dry place.
How long does chalk paint take to dry before waxing
Chalk paint can take anywhere from a few hours to a day or two to fully dry before waxing. The important thing is to make sure that the paint is completely dry before applying any type of wax.
Otherwise, the wax will not adhere properly and could cause the paint to peel. If you’re in a hurry, you can speed up the drying process by using a hair dryer on a low setting, but be careful not to overdo it or you could end up damaging the paint.
Drying-table
| № | Materials | Drying time | Curing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wood | 15 minutes | 2 hours |
| 2 | Glass | 20 minutes | 2 hours |
| 3 | Metal | Less than an hour | 2-3 days |
- It takes chalk paint a few minutes to dry on wood. Averagely, it takes chalk paint 15 minutes to dry on wood if it is applied in the right way. But the chalk paint takes longer to dry on fresh wood.
You should apply chalk paint in a dry environment. Humidity should be less than 50 %. Also, the temperature should be between 50-80 degrees of Fahrenheit in the place where you are painting.
However, it takes chalk paint a while to cure. When chalk paint is used on wood, the surface will dry quickly, but the inside of the wood doesn’t. The inside of the wood takes longer to dry and cure. - You can paint glass surfaces with chalk paint. Chalk paint on the glass will dry enough to touch in 20 minutes. But it will take about 2 hours for chalk paint to fully cure when applied on glass.
You can finish painting the glass surface with chalk paint in less than 2 hours if you make all the painting progress correctly, like mixing and applying the chalk paint. - Chalk paint also adheres well to metal. Chalk paint dries very quickly on metal. It takes less than an hour to dry. You should let the chalk paint cure for about 48 hours on a metal surface.
The chalk paint will dry within the first hour and cure between 2 and 3 days if your metal surface is smooth, dry, and without an old finish.
However, it may take chalk paint longer. The prep work done before applying chalk and the temperature of the room may influence the drying time.
If the metal is not smooth or dry before applying chalk, it can take chalk paint about a week to fully cure. This means that improper preparation of the metal paint takes longer to dry.
It is recommended to wait 2 hours before recoating the chalk paint on wood.
How long before I can distress chalk paint
You can distress chalk paint when it is dry. You should let the chalk paint dry for an hour before distressing or sanding.
You should distress the chalk before it is cured. If the chalk paint is cured, it will be difficult to achieve a perfect distressed finish.
Distressing the chalk means sanding the finish to damage it purposely. It is very common to distress the chalk paint. People distress the chalk paint to give it a vintage or matte look.
If you distress the chalk paint very soon, you will remove the finish. So, the chalk paint should dry for a few hours. If you don’t distress the chalk paint for an hour or two, waiting for a long time, it will be very hard.
The perfect recommended time to distress the chalk paint is between 1 and 2 hours after applying the chalk paint.
Final thoughts
Our article goes over how long the chalk paint takes to dry. Overall, the chalk paint dries very fast. It is one of the fastest-drying types of paint. This is because chalk is a water-based paint. You should let the chalk paint dry for 30 minutes before recoating.
We hope that now you have better knowledge about the drying time of chalk paint.
FAQs
In most situations, a single coat of chalk paint is enough. If you want to make the chalk paint thicker or if one coat is insufficient, you can recoat the chalk paint. You can apply up to two coats of chalk paint. Because one or two coats of chalk paint are enough for most purposes.
Yes, it is, but it is not waterproof. You can use chalk paint as interior paint to apply on furniture that may get wet from occasional water spills. But you cannot use chalk paint for outdoor places that are always in contact with water. You should apply a sealer or lacquer to use chalk paint outdoors.
Chalk paint is durable. If it has a protective finish, it can last longer. Averagely, chalk paint can last from 1 to 5 years if you store it properly.