curing time...

I assume you mean enamels or laquers in rattle cans.

Check the label since some are fast drying and some aren't. Rule of thumb is about 24 hours, but I've sprayed second coats in a couple of hours when I'm in a hurry. Best thing to do is smell it. If you can still smell the thinner in the paint it hasn't cured yet.

I'm with Scott. If I'm applying extra coats, I wait anywhere from 15 minutes to a couple of hours. If it's a laquer, it'll probably 'flash' pretty quick and extra coats can go on quicker.

For 'handling', I usually wait at least a few days. My impatience sometimes get's the best of me, and when that happens, I often end up with a fingerprint or a dent of some sort in the paint. If you're doing any polishing, definitely wait until the paint is fully cured. Scott's 'smell-test' is what I use, and it's the best one I've found yet. Note that some colors seem to take longer than others to cure. Silver seems to take a really long time... (I had one that took 3 weeks before I couldn't smell it anymore...)

Murray

24-48 hours, like others have said. Patience is one of those things that comes and goes with models...depends on the project. :)