You want to paint your automobile but do not want to commit to a complete paint job. Plasti dip is the ideal remedy. This adaptable rubber coating offers a protective layer that will not harm your car’s paint finish and is fast and simple to apply. But how long till you can drive once the Plasti dip has dried?
Before driving your automobile, you must wait at least 6 hours for the Plasti Dip to dry. Temperature, humidity, airflow, & coating thickness are just a few variables that may affect how long it takes for Plasti Dip to cure and be ready for driving. Before driving, let the Plasti Dip dry for 24 hours for the best results.
Drying Time for Plasti Dip
A single coat of plastic dip typically takes 15 to 20 minutes to dry, but the procedure takes around 6 hours before the automobile is ready for driving. However, we strongly advise you to hold off on driving for 24 hours. This will enable the Plasti Dip to fully cure, giving it a superior gloss and increasing the paint job’s long-term protection.
It is vital to remember that this is merely a rough estimate and that the actual time might vary from 6 hours to longer or shorter. It is crucial not to accelerate this procedure since doing so might result in ugly flaws in your finish. Examples of such pressure or vibration include driving. To be safe, do not drive your car again for 24 hours after you have applied the product.
The Drying Time Influencing Factors
Temperature
One of the biggest factors influencing how quickly plasti dip dries is temperature. The speed at which the Plasti Dip dries increases with temperature. In general, plasti dipping works best at temperatures above 70°F because they promote quick healing and optimal adherence. Low temperatures (below 50°F) may cause the plasti dip to dry slowly, possibly resulting in improper adhesion.
Humidity
Plasti dip dries more slowly when it is humid. Drying durations may be greatly lengthened by excessive humidity, preventing the chemical process from proceeding normally at over 75%. If you want to plasti dip your automobile in a humid area, you may want to consider purchasing a dehumidifier to speed up the process.
Airflow
Airflow affects drying periods because it speeds up chemical processes that help the material cure by evaporating moisture from the coating. This implies that sufficient ventilation around your car when applying Plasti Dip, such as a fan or open windows, may drastically reduce the time it takes for the paint to dry.
Coating Thickness
Finally, coating thickness affects drying time since, even under ideal circumstances, larger plasti dip layers take longer to cure than thinner ones. Generally, it is preferable to use many thin coats instead of one thick layer to ensure that everything dries quickly and uniformly.
Tips for Speeding Up Drying Time
Heat Your Garage
Try to maintain a temperature of at least 70°F in the area if you are plasti dipping in a garage or confined location. To do this, locate a specialist workshop with an “oven garage” or turn on a heater while you work. This will hasten the drying & curing process.
These garages are specially made to shorten drying times and assist you in getting the greatest outcomes. Alternatively, if you have the patience, do this in the summer when it is naturally warmer.
Use a Hair Dryer
If you are working in a chilly area, warming up the Plasti Dip with a hair dryer will assist in shortening drying periods. To protect your car’s finish, use the hair dryer on its lowest setting & keep it at least 6 inches away from the vehicle at all times.
Heat guns Can Be Used, But Use Carefully
Another tool to shorten Plasti Dip’s drying time is a heat gun. However, use extreme caution since doing so might harm your car’s finish.
Use a heat gun only if you are certain of your actions, and always keep it moving over the surface of your car. Avoid letting one area become too hot, as this may result in bubbling or other Plasti Dip coating problems.
Ventilate Your Garage
Remember to constantly ventilate your workstation correctly to prevent fumes from being trapped inside while using a heat gun and having your garage heated for faster drying. This is crucial when using spray-on Plasti Dip since the fumes may be dangerous if breathed in large amounts without adequate ventilation.
Additionally, you should put on safety gear like gloves or face masks in case any vapors get into your workstation.
Invest in a Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier might make all the difference in accelerating drying time since humidity is one of the main enemies of quick-drying Plasti Dip coatings. By eliminating extra moisture from the air, a dehumidifier lowers humidity levels and speeds up the drying time of the Plasti Dip coating.
Additional Important Points
Aside from waiting until the coating is fully dry before driving, there are a few additional considerations to make while using Plasti dip:
- A great Plasti Dip job always starts with properly preparing your car for the work at hand. If your car is older or has spent much time outside, you must do this. After thoroughly cleaning, remove any extra wax or shine from the surface with a wax remover or rubbing alcohol. Additionally, you should use a degreaser (or a cleaner with a citrus basis) to remove any oil or grease from the area where you want to apply the dip.
- Before trying to dip your car, if this is your first time using Plasti Dip, consider practicing on something trivial like an old hubcap or a scrap piece of metal. This will make it easier for you to learn the procedure without worrying about damaging your vehicle.
- Before working with Plasti Dip, make sure the surface is entirely dry.
- Before applying, mix up each can of dip to ensure that all its ingredients are well combined; otherwise, you risk getting an uneven finish.
- Instead of spraying in one long continuous motion around edges or tight corners, employ gradual back-and-forth strokes to achieve consistent coverage and prevent any locations from being missed or overcoated.
- To be fully set, give each coat of spray 10-15 minutes between applications. If you don’t, they may not adhere well and wind up peeling off ahead of schedule.
- Do not be hesitant to apply it thickly; each application should be somewhat thicker than before. A nice finish calls for a minimum of 6 coats.
What Exactly Is Plasti Dip?
If you have heard of Plasti Dip but are not sure what it is, it is a removable coating that can be placed on any surface and is formed of polymers and solvents.
It may be applied to tools, outdoor furniture, toys, electronics, and virtually anything else you wish to personalize or protect from wear and tear. It is most often used on cars and other automotive equipment. Once the coating has set, it creates a barrier that guards against UV deterioration, corrosion, moisture, and filth. Additionally, it is abrasion- and chemical-resistant.
One of the nicest things about Plasti Dip is that it can be fully undone if anything goes wrong during the application or you do not like how it looks. Just peel it off and start again!
Because you will not have to worry about making errors or squandering money on things that do not turn out as you had hoped, it allows for a perfect experiment environment. Additionally, Plasti Dip will keep your products looking fresh for much longer than conventional paint treatments since it is so strong and extremely resistant to wear and tear.
Conclusion
Generally, the drying process should take around six hours before you can drive your car again. However, depending on the environment, such as temperature and humidity levels, this time frame might change in either direction, so make sure you plan!
Also, be careful not to hurry at any stage since any pressure or vibration while your finish is still wet might result in unattractive imperfections as it dries.