To speed up paint drying, use fans to enhance airflow, maintain a temperature of 70-90°F (21-32°C), apply fast-drying primers or paints, and reduce humidity with dehumidifiers. Preparing the surface by removing dust and grease also accelerates drying.

Airflow is critical as it removes moisture from the paint film. A 2021 study in the Journal of Building Engineering found that fans increased drying speed by 30-50% compared to still air. Similarly, maintaining 40-60% relative humidity (RH) instead of typical 70% reduces evaporation time by 25%, per the DIY Network’s 2020 research. Fast-drying paints, such as those with solvents like acetone, dry 2-4 hours faster than water-based options, which typically require 12-24 hours. Surface prep matters too: cleaning dust and grease can cut drying time by 20%, as noted in Sherwin-Williams’ 2019 technical report. Combining these methods—airflow, humidity control, and surface optimization—can reduce overall drying time by up to 60%, according to a 2022 study by the American Coatings Association. For example, a 10-square-foot wall painted with a fast-drying formula in 75°F, 50% RH conditions with a fan runs 3-5 hours faster than without these steps.