Crafters all around the world know and love Mod Podge. It is a versatile product that allows you to stick different materials to your craft, seal them in, and add a finishing layer to your craft projects.
It is popularly used for decoupage projects and is a one-in-all type of product that you can store in your craft cupboard to make sure you’re always ready for a sudden urge to decoupage. There are so many things that you can make with Mod Podge, including various gifts, ornaments, home décor, jewelry, fashion pieces, etc.
Mod Podge works on paper, wood, fabric, glass, ceramic, and more. It is a product that you can use on any surface that you want, and while it won’t work on all plastic surfaces, there are some that it will work on.
So how long does Mod Podge take to dry? Mod Podge takes 24 hours or more to dry, depending on the formula. If you have gone for a hard coat, you will need to wait 72 hours.
In this guide, we will talk about how long Mod Podge takes to dry and answer all the questions you could ever have. The types of surfaces that affect drying time, the coats you apply, and the hacks that you can use to quicken your drying time are just some of the things you will learn below.
What Factors Affect the Drying Time of Mod Podge?
Mod Podge is something that you can’t really go wrong with when applying it to your project. It is as simple as opening up a bottle and applying a few layers to your project and waiting for it to dry before using your craft project however you intended to. I really like this quick-drying formula.
However, there are a few factors that can affect the time your Mod Podge takes to dry. Ensuring that these factors are minimized or controlled is a great way to make sure your Mod Podge layer is drying as fast as it can.
1. Application
The application refers to the way that you apply Mod Podge to your project. You can use a paintbrush, but that might lead to brush strokes showing up on your surface. Paintbrushes also tend to deposit more product in certain areas and will require a few passes before the layer gets smooth.
Using a foam brush, on the other hand, will help you deposit even amounts of Mod Podge all over the surface and will ensure a smoother finish without too much product gunking up the surface.
2. Layers
If you’ve ever used Mod Podge in your crafting projects, you will know that to make it more secure, you have to use a few layers. Layers that are too thick can affect the drying time that your project will have.
Thin layers allow for good airflow which in turn makes each layer dry a lot faster. Thicker layers will take a long time to dry and the top may get dry but leave everything underneath still wet. This may ruin the final look of your project.
3. Environment
The environment that you are working in also has a big impact on the drying time of your Mod Podge layer. Extreme temperatures on either side can hinder the drying process.
Make sure you’re working in an environment that is not too cold and not too hot. Stay away from humid environments, as that will extend the drying time of Mod Podge and will also make it take longer to cure and harden.
4. Surfaces
The type of surface that you will be putting your Mod Podge on is also very important when it comes to the drying time. A properly prepped surface will allow for smoother application, which means a faster drying time.
Always start with prepping your surfaces before you start adding layers of Mod Podge on top. Different surfaces require different prep as well as a different number of layers. All of this ultimately determines how long your layers will take to dry.
How Can You Make Mod Podge Dry Faster?
Whether you have a busy schedule or are just an impatient person, waiting for Mod Podge to dry can be a little frustrating. In waiting for your Mod Podge to cure, you may sometimes put down your craft project and break the creative flow you were in.
One of the easiest things that you can do when you’re in a hurry is to use a hairdryer. The gentle and consistent heat from the dryer will ensure that the Mod Podge starts drying quickly, allowing you to keep working on your craft for as long as you want.
One thing to remember in using this drying hack is to make sure that you are applying your Mod Podge in thin coats. Make sure that the surface you’re working on is fully covered, but don’t over-saturate it. This will result in the top drying while everything underneath will still be wet.
If you are working on a project that requires a few coats of Mod Podge, use the hairdryer for about 5 minutes, moving it around to ensure consistency in the airflow, and then let it be for about 10-15 minutes to harden a little bit more.
Sanding in between layers also helps with evening out the surface and quickening the drying time of the next layer.
Can You Dry Mod Podge With Heat?
As we’ve talked about in the last section, it is indeed possible to dry your Mod Podge layer with heat. Hairdryers have both settings, but the hot setting is the one you want to use to dry your Mod Podge, as that will work the best.
The key to using heat for drying Mod Podge is to ensure that it is consistent and not very close to the surface of your project. Mod Podge is a thin, watery medium, and when the heat is applied, it evaporates the moisture, making it dry a lot faster.
Heat also helps you avoid air bubbles that sometimes come up on the surface. The time that the heat is applied should not be more than 5-7 minutes depending on the size of your project.
Applying heat to Mod Podge is a great way to help it dry quicker, but you need to ensure that you are in complete control of the time that the heat is applied, the way the heat is applied, and the consistency of the airflow if you are using a hairdryer.
Ovens are also a great way to dry a layer of Mod Podge if your project is too big to manually apply heat. The thing to remember though is that it need to be only for a small amount of time and the oven should be turned off when you place your project inside. The residual heat will do the job for you.
Bonus advice – don’t use heat guns or other sources of direct, harsh heat as that may damage your craft project. It can also quickly dry the top of the Mod Podge layer and leave everything underneath still wet.
Which Mod Podge Dries Clear?
The answer to this question depends on what kind of finish and coating you get when you buy Mod Podge. There is a matte, satin, and gloss finish available in the market and you can get either the original Mod Podge or a hard coat one.
All of the finishes will become clear once they have dried with the only difference being what they look like and how the light shines off of them. Matte finishes will look the clearest whereas the shiny and gloss finishes will have a layer of sheen on top.
The kind of Mod Podge you use is not the only determinant of your layer drying clear or not. The time you give each layer to dry before adding more is a key factor. If it hasn’t dried, you won’t have a clear layer.
Airflow is important for Mod Podge to dry clear so if you’re using it inside a small mouth vessel, you may not get the clear finish that you are looking for. The climate in which you do your crafting with Mod Podge also matters as either extreme can hinder the process of clear drying of the Mod Podge.
How Many Layers of Mod Podge Should I Use?
Anyone who has crafted with Mod Podge or has been curious about using it will have come across the need to apply a few layers of it to get the smooth finish you want. How you layer your Mod Podge is an important factor in how successful your decoupage project is.
Depending on the type of effect you’re looking for, you will need to use 2 or more coats of Mod Podge. If your project calls for a soft, smooth surface with no ridges, you will be better off applying at least 5 to 6 coats.
You want to always use as little as you can for each of the layers. Thicker coats will take longer to dry and may fool you into thinking the layer is dry as the top usually starts drying a lot earlier than everything underneath it.
The type of project finish you are looking for, the surface you’re trying to decoupage and the size of your piece are all key factors when it comes to deciding how many layers of Mod Podge you want to use. Remember to use at least 2 layers and go up as much as you like but in thin coats.
How Do I Prepare My Surface for Mod Podge?
The surface that you will be applying the Mod Podge on needs to be prepped for your decoupage project to be a success. The drying time of Mod Podge will be significantly less if you have properly prepared your surface before the application.
Mod Podge works with every surface that you can use in the world of crafting. The base needs to be clean and dry of any moisture before you add a layer of Mod Podge. Moisture can hinder the drying process and so should be avoided at all costs.
For wooden surfaces, you need to have a smooth surface, so use fine-grit sandpaper to sand down any bits that may add unevenness to your project. Clean with a dust cloth and then start adding the Mod Podge.
If you’re using a primed canvas, just wipe it with a dust cloth to make sure no particles remain on the surface. For an un-primed canvas, cover it with a few layers of gesso or acrylic paint to make sure there is a smooth surface underneath the layer of Mod Podge.
To make sure that your Mod Podge is drying evenly, the smoothness of the surface you’re using is a very important factor. The cleanliness is also vital, as even the smallest of particles may cause uneven drying time and air bubbles, ruining the look of your final project.
Related Questions
How Long Does Mod Podge Take to Cure?
Mod Podge is a medium that dries quickly depending on the layers you have used and the environment you are in. When the Mod Podge has hardened, you can hang up your crafts without the fear of them breaking apart. The curing time for Mod Podge is about 4 weeks.
Will Mod Podge Come Off if It Gets Wet?
If a few drops of water accidentally end up on your Mod Podge project, you can just wipe them away without worrying about ruining the layer.
However, if your project is exposed to a lot of water, it can cause the Mod Podge to go milky and some parts of the project may fall apart. If you’ve used enough layers, this won’t be a problem, as once the water dries, the Mod Podge will go clear again and your craft will be as good as new.
Is Mod Podge Waterproof?
Mod Podge is water and acrylic-based, which makes it non-toxic but also means that it is not waterproof. However, Mod Podge has recently come out with a dishwasher-safe Mod Podge product. It does have an incredibly long cure time, so you’ll have to be patient.
Does Mod Podge Turn Yellow Over Time?
If the craft that you have used Mod Podge on is in direct sunlight, then yes, the Mod Podge will turn yellow over time. It can take years, as it is resistant to UV light for a while but will eventually start turning yellow.
Final Overview
Mod Podge is a versatile product that allows crafters all over the world to glue, seal, and finish their craft projects. Decoupage is the most popular use of Mod Podge and it provides a world of options in terms of its use and utility.
Whether you’re short on time or want to finish your decoupage project in a little amount of time, the drying time of Mod Podge can become an issue. Allowing each layer of Mod Podge to dry fully before finishing or adding more is an essential part of the success of your project.
Heat is a great way to speed up the drying process and using thin layers helps you achieve a faster drying time. The consistency of the heat needs to be controlled and should only be used for a few minutes before letting your craft project air-dry.
All Mod Podge finishes will dry clear, and the only exception will be the sheen layer on top if you have chosen a gloss finish for your Mod Podge. Other factors such as the humidity or freezing temperatures and the airflow that your project is exposed to affect the drying time as well as whether it will dry completely clear or not.
Mod Podge is a product that every crafter around the world should have in their arsenal. It allows you to express your creativity fully and we hope this guide helps you understand the basics of drying time when it comes to using Mod Podge.
Since the drying time of Mod Podge largely depends on what formula you are using, you might find this video by Plaid Crafts helpful.
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