Any ideas on how to speed up.......

[SignManiac]

Latex paints? I use a lot of premium exterior latex paints and especially dark colors. I like the durability and color fastness of it but the problem is the dry time. Does anyone know of any additives or other tricks to get it to cure faster? I've heard the old timer would piss in it, but I don't think I want to go that route...

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bigdawg]

C'mon... what's wrong with giving a little of yourself for the job

I too would be interested to know if there is anything to speed it up..

 

[SignManiac]

Here's a link I just finished reading on the subject. I'm afraid there are no magic bullets

http://www.ehow.com/about_5285647_long-indoor-paint-dry.html

 

[Malkin]

I'm assuming Japan Drier would be a bad idea for latex paint....

 

[Sticky Signs]

You can buy infrared paint dryers. They work pretty good. I'm sure your paint supplier could tell you where to get them. some latex paints can take up to 3 months to fully cure.

 

[LavelleSign]

oil based enamel for everything, unless you like your paint flaking and scraping off

 

[LavelleSign]

also use japan drier to speed up the curing process, i usually use it during the winter.

 

[signmeup]

oil based enamel for everything, unless you like your paint flaking and scraping off

Funny... I find the exact opposite to be true. I wouldn't paint one of my hand carved signs with an oil based paint. Not even if you offered the paint for free.

 

[signmeup]

Bob, nothing speeds up latex paint like the Sun. I use a fan to keep the air moving if it's indoors. I found Ben Moore Aura to take the longest to cure of any paint I have tried. It seemed to stay tacky for ever. A real pain when you are gilding something. The gold stuck to it like it was sized. I won't use it again.

I prefer Pittsburgh Sun Proof for it's fast cure rate and it seems to cover really well too.

 

[SignManiac]

Thanks Adrian. You are right about the sun, heat and fans. I have to be careful down here in Florida. I've tried to speed up the dry time by setting my pieces out in the sun. The problem with that is dark colors can get so hot, the heat will warp my panels and that becomes a problem when I'm carving anything on the table. Even with a strong vacuum hold down, it doesn't take much to mess with my v-carved lettering.

I have a large paint booth that gets pretty hot and I run fans during the drying process. It seems to be about the only thing I've found so far that works. I guess I'll just have to wait until the manufacturers develop a catylized latex paint system...

 

[signmeup]

They paint cars with water based paints up here now. Maybe check that out.
What brand of latex are you using btw?

 

[Mosh]

I don't use alot of latex, but I know in our sray booth the more air flo and heat the faster emamel cures out.

 

[signmeup]

You could also try using flat latex and then clear coat it if you need a gloss. Flat latex dries really fast. I do this all the time. Flat covers better too.

 

[Mosh]

We put cure-x in or solvent paint and with heat it is dry to letter in 4 hours..just saying....

 

[Techman]

thinner coats will do it. Thin coat will dry very fast. But you have to do it twice.

 

[James Burke]

Since latex is essentially water, how about using a dehumidifier? Dry air is the best sponge.
JB

 

[LavelleSign]

we've always painted carved signs with one shot which is oil for years. Whats wrong with that?

 

[SignManiac]

thinner coats will do it. Thin coat will dry very fast. But you have to do it twice.

Always use two to three thin coats and sand between. Takes longer but the finish looks better and is more durable.

 

[SignManiac]

Since latex is essentially water, how about using a dehumidifier? Dry air is the best sponge.
JB

Just talked about a dehumidifier the other day. Going to give that a shot too.

 

[SignManiac]

we've always painted carved signs with one shot which is oil for years. Whats wrong with that?

1-Shot no longer is any good. I learned to letter with 1-shot thirty six years ago and stopped using it about ten years ago. Unless you use an automotive clear coat, it turns to chalk in two years here in Florida. Once they took the lead out, it became garbage.