Why does nobody talk about using a heat gun to speed up paint drying?

I was super skeptical when a buddy in Phoenix told me to hit my acrylic base coats with a heat gun on low. Tried it on a sign project last Tuesday and cut drying time from 20 minutes down to like 4 minutes between layers. Just don't hold it too close or you'll get bubbles. Has anyone else tried this or got a better method for quick dry times?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_piper4d ago

Add that most people don't realize heat guns can actually soften or wrinkle the paint layers underneath if you're working on a piece with multiple coats. I found that out the hard way on a holiday sign last month when I got impatient and blasted a fresh coat of latex too fast. The top layer dried fine but the layer under it got gummy and pulled up in patches when I tried to tape over it. You really have to keep the gun moving constantly and check the surface temp with your hand before you lay down the next coat.

joseph_lewis924d ago

Wait is everyone just cool with blasting flammable solvents with a heat gun though? Seems like a fast track to melting your paint layers or starting a fire if you're not paying attention.