I've recently completed my first DIY project using 3 IVAR shelves from Ikea. It took a lot of work: sanding, priming, painting, and then sanding again! I used water-based acrylic paint and applied it before putting the shelves together. Now I'm wondering, how long do I need to let the paint dry before I can actually assemble my shelves? I found some sources saying to wait 7-14 days for full drying, but that seems excessive to me. I just want to make sure I don't ruin all my hard work in the process!
3 Answers
Yeah, don't rush it! Curing is different from just drying. Check the paint can for specific instructions, too, as it may give you a better idea about the curing time for the specific acrylic paint you used. Staying patient will pay off in the end!
It's definitely better to be safe than sorry! You want to make sure the paint is fully cured, not just dried. Typically, acrylic paint can take anywhere from 14 to 30 days to fully cure, depending on how thickly it was applied and the environment. So even if it's dry to the touch, give it some time before assembling those shelves. Trust me, it's worth the wait!
I hear you! It seems a bit daunting, but waiting a few weeks in total really helps. Just make sure to keep the shelves in a well-ventilated area while they cure. Keeping an eye on the temperature and humidity levels can help speed things up a bit too!
Thanks for the tip! If I painted them just yesterday, would you say I should definitely wait closer to the 14-day mark?