Puffy paint or dimensional fabric paint is one of the best crafting ideas for children and adults alike. However, if you don’t have the luxury of time, you might not want to choose this paint as it takes a long time to dry. Thankfully, you can take steps to speed up puffy paint dry time.
If you are looking to understand the drying time, here is everything you need to know about it.
How Long Does Puffy Paint Take to Dry?
As a general rule of thumb, a thin layer of puffy paint takes 4 to 6 hours to dry while thick layers may take up to 12 to 24 hours. It will take approximately 36 to 72 hours to completely cure. You can wash the fabric safely after 72 hours.
The drying time also depends on the quality of paint, humidity, material being used, etc. The tulip puffy paint dries within 4 to 6 hours under normal conditions. That is why you might have to test your paint to see how long it takes to dry.
Here are some estimated drying times of puffy paint on different materials:
- Glass: You have to allow the puffy paint to dry on the glass for twenty-four hours before you cure
- Fabric: It will take six to twenty four hours to dry on fabric
- Plastic: It will take four to five hours to dry on plastic
- Squishy: You have to wait twenty-four hours for the paint to dry before applying each coat
These are the estimated puffy paint dry times for multiple materials. However, if the quality of your puffy paint is low, it might take longer to dry. That is why it is essential to use good quality puffy paint.
As you can see unlike acrylic paints, puffy paint takes a lot more time to dry.
How to Make Puffy Paint Dry Faster?
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to speed up the drying time of puffy paint. Here are some of the best guidelines to follow:
1. Hairdryer
A hairdryer can save you hours of drying time as it will quickly speed up the drying process. All you have to do is use your hairdryer on low heat and low fan speed. It will allow the puffy paint to dry quickly without ruining the paintwork you have done.
However, keep in mind that using this method might only dry the exterior and not the interior, which is why you might have to wait for it to dry. Of course, you can try it to see if it works on your chosen fabric effectively.
2. Sun
What is a better way to dry paint than use the power of the sun? Yes, the natural heat of the sun can quickly dry your puffy paint. Make sure that you don’t put it under direct sunlight as it might ruin your paintwork.
Instead, you should find a window in your home from where indirect sunlight is shining through and let the fabric sit under it. Leave the fabric for a few hours, and the heat will penetrate through the exterior and interior to dry the puffy paint completely.
3. Fan
If it is winter and there is no sun, or you are going through a rainy day, you can always use a fan. However, please don’t put the fan at high speed as it will negatively impact the fabric paint. Besides that, you should also ensure that the room is dust-free.
If you put the fabric under a fan in a dusty room, the dust will cling to the paint, and you won’t be able to remove it later. You should ensure that the fan is on low speed and the room is clean.
4. Don’t Paint or Dry in a Humid Room
If you don’t want to prolong the puffy paint dry time, this is one of the best tips to follow. It would be best if you did not paint or dry your fabric in a humid room. That is because humidity means moisture, which will increase the drying time.
You can use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to remove the excess moisture from the room and keep it dry. Doing so will allow the fabric to dry effectively without you having to wait longer than usual. A dry room is a safe option to paint and dry the fabric in.
5. Wash and Dry Fabric Before Painting
Your preparation should always be according to the paint type you are using. If you want puffy paint to stick better to the fabric and dry faster, you need to wash and dry the fabric before applying paint. Ensure that you follow the recommendations on the care tag.
Unfortunately, many t-shirts and fabrics have chemicals so that the fabric can remain smooth and soft for a long time. When you wash the fabric, these chemicals are removed, making the paint stick better and dry faster. That is why you should never miss this step while using puffy paint.
Does Puffy Paint Dry Hard?
If your puffy paint is drying hard, it means that you are not using high-quality puffy paint. Once the paint is dry, it should be flexible and soft to touch. That is because this paint aims to adhere to all types of fabrics without hardening, peeling, or cracking, even after many washes.
So, you should invest in high-quality fabric paint to ensure you are getting the most use out of it. Such paint will look smooth and feel great on the fabric. It will also adhere better as it will not peel or crack no matter how many times you wash it.
Final Words
That was your complete guide to puffy paint dry time. It is essential to understand the nature of the paint before you start indulging in any craft-related activity. It will make your experience smoother and enjoyable as you will know what to expect when it comes to the paint and material.
Puffy paint is the best paint for kids and adults to engage in craft activities together. However, the only issue is the long drying time that you have to go through for the result to shine. Of course, you can use these guidelines to speed up the drying process and make the paint adhere better to the fabric.
So, use these tips and let us know how well they worked for you.