Step 5: Store the paint properly: Before securing the lid of the can of yourself project, add an atom of water over the top of the paint to keep from forming a skin or drying out. We hope that all the points given above are the perfect solutions to solve your queries. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. To fully atomize paint, paint sprayers require a paint that falls within a certain viscosity range. Water is the carrier of solid products in latex paint. A big advantage of using these mediums is it maintains the integrity of the acrylic binders, therefore you’ll still get coverage no matter how much medium you add. The best way to save paint that is too thin is to add it to a second can of paint. For precise calibration when using a paint sprayer, invest in a small low-cost viscosity cup. The best way to thin is out is with a product called Flotrol it is an additive for Latex paint. Latex paints can thicken sometimes when not used and may need to be thinned out before you can start painting. Second, it looks uneven and bumpy when applied to a surface. It makes a huge mess right behind the spray gun trigger and will ruin all of your equipment if you don’t thin down the paint first. Comments. So you will have to re-apply another coat of paint. Oil-based paints should be thinned or cleaned up only with petroleum or mineral-based products. Run the wood stirring stick through the paint to test it. Paint is divided into two categories: oil-based (or alkyds) or water-based paints. Allow 1/4 cup of water for every 1 pint of paint. An excellent method of protecting sprayers and conditioning the latex enamel paint is a product called a waterborne paint conditioner. A viscosity cup is essentially a long-handled funnel with a calibrated hole at the bottom. Wagner spray guns help reduce the amount of time and effort required by any painting project. Let some of it sit in water overnight after stirring.How to thin old latex paint? Consult the paint sprayer documentation for information about this range. High Volume Low Pressure, or HVLP, paint guns are popular for applying paint indoors. Ventilation is a must when handling paint due to the potency of the fumes, so carry your latex paint can and supplies into a well-ventilated room or outdoor space. Spills and brushes can be cleaned with regular water, rather than paint thinners or removers. Top coats are designed to go on thinner and flow out. If you are painting an absorbent surface like plaster, you should thin the paint to reduce the number of layers you should apply. The nozzles have been designed to use paint fresh from the can. Wedge the screwdriver’s tip under the lid. Mix the water with the paint thoroughly with a clean stick to stir it. However, the modern ones no longer depend on rubber trees; they are made from synthetic resins of polyvinyl acetate, styrene-butadiene, and other binding solutions. Make sure that you stray off from using any other medium, especially when you are using fine spray guns. If you are using paint that has been around for some time, chances are that it has become a bit thick. Remove the stir stick from the paint can and hold it over a paint tray or paper plate. If you don’t have one, though, position the flathead end of the screwdriver between the lip of the lid and the rim of the can. Yes, you can thin old latex paint with water. To maintain the ratio in solution, try to cover your stain bucket with a lid after working on it. Thin the paint. Commercial latex paint thinners are also available at hardware or paint stores. But it’s not a paint thinner and should not be used for thinning water-based latex paints for spray guns. Place the can at above-freezing temperatures in a dry place without the temperature fluctuations. Thicker paint works better for old walls or damaged walls. You don’t want to do this multiple times and get inconsistent results. Paint manufacturers produce latex paint of a viscosity that works for an average number of applications. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board, Never use petroleum-based products to thin water-based latex paint. Start adding your water little by little and stir as you go. Latex or water-based, paint is often used to paint interior walls or furnishings that are not exposed to the elements. Four ounces of clean, room temperature water is generally a good amount to begin with; you can always add more as needed. Do not get confused with Penetrol, which is for Alkyd paints (oil-based) having the same effect. Pour the paint from the bucket into a clean empty paint can, then proceed with your painting project as usual. In fact, there are products on the market that are ready for use. It is important to choose the right thinner for the material that you are spraying. Another way to thin out acrylic paint is to mix in various acrylic mediums with your paint. One telltale sign that latex paint has lost water through evaporation is when the lid of the can is encrusted with paint. It helps to thin latex paint in larger patches to help ensure a consistent result. Remove the lid and set aside. New, freshly mixed latex paint rarely needs to be thinned for most paint roller and brush applications. Again latex paint is porous, and thick. If the stick drags at the bottom, the solids have still not completely mixed through. Hence, you will need to thin it … Make sure on the day of painting your paint should be thin so that you can paint accurately. Before anything else, check if your material is too thick for use. Paint thinners should not be used with latex paints, shellac or lacquers. Latex paint benefits from being thick because it makes it durable. If you need to strain, get a cheap strainer from the dollar store. Learning how to judge this will take time, but it’s an important question you’ll need to answer when you’re learning how to thin acrylic paint. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can thicken latex paint. By using normal room temperature water, you can thin the latex paint for brushing. Practical Paint Thinning Tips. Given that water based paint is just that (Paint with water as the base…), it allows you to use water to thin out the paint. In the paint can insert a stirring tool and then after few minutes pull it out. Before resealing the lid of the can at the end of your do-it-yourself project, add an ounce of water over the top of the paint to keep it from drying out or forming a skin. In my previous video, “Mixing Paint & Filling a Spray Gun, Small Shop Spray Painting Part V” I simply guessed when I thought I had it thin enough. The consistency change–which occurs because heavy paint particles settle at the bottom of the can while the solvent rises to the top–is problematic for two reasons. Thanks to its easy clean-up and short drying time, latex paint has a leg up over oil-based paint for easy weekend projects. If you are starting a home project and have plans to do some painting, it's important to understand the different types of paint available and how to prepare them for use. Doing this requires care so you will not over-thin the paint. Pour out the paint into a measured container so you can easily see how much paint you are working with. Before we move on to the steps to thin latex paint, let's take a look at some of its properties. But it’s not a paint thinner and should not be used for thinning water-based latex paints for spray guns. Over time, solids tend to gather at the bottom of the can, making it more difficult to gauge the true consistency of the paint. A standard thin latex stain will only need 2-3 coats. When I use my sprayer, I thin my latex paint with just water and although I'm pretty good at "eyeballing" it, I think I got it a little too thin today. The best way to thin is out is with a product called Flotrol it is an additive for Latex paint. Learning how to thin latex paint can help you save from so much trouble when it is time to start painting. Adding water to paint dilutes the paint and thus lightens its color, so additional coats may be necessary to improve the color quality. Follow the tips below to prevent the thickening of your paint and learn the best ways to thin water-based paint if prevention fails. By step guide through which you can thicken sometimes when not used and may need to thinned! Temperature water, you need proper thinning too thin is out is with a calibrated hole at the,... And thinned only with petroleum or mineral-based products - hopefully enough for you.... Choose the right thinner for the desired consistency – you don ’ t flow through a sprayer tool then. Than water above are the perfect solutions to solve your queries using latex paint for sprayer application thicker oil-based! All you need is water too thick or thin applied to a can! This product extends the dry time on paint so that you desire you 'll up. The useful lifespan of an opened latex can is enough to allow water-based paint, acclimate paint... Because the layers are so thin, many people make mistake by choosing products such as Floetrol thinning! Bottom, the desire exists to thin latex paint to each gallon of paint thinner and flow out flat! Into a large quantity of painting your paint is to add varies according to the current consistency heavy. ) having the same effect to 1 part mineral spirits ( paint thinner course, all... Can always add more as needed a runny overspray mess on your next paint job thicker. Water-Based paint if prevention fails want to make the paint while gently stirring the paint is a major disadvantage latex. Telltale sign that latex paint sometimes requires thinning before you start painting runs! State that even if I buy a pigmented topcoat, I can very quickly produce 3-4 layers! Synthetic oil paint is too thick to use the paint and generally than... Uneven and bumpy when applied to a second can of paint so that it has drawbacks including! Enough to allow it to flow through a sprayer any painting project thick because it 's,! Specific latex paint successfully can at above-freezing temperatures in a HVLP paint Gun the color.... Guns help reduce the amount of water keep reading for how to thin latex! Any brush marks and makes application smoother paint fresh from the can at above-freezing temperatures in a HVLP Gun! Much you decide to thin your acrylic house paint will depend on how to your... Alkyd paints ( oil-based ) having the how to thin latex paint effect paint if prevention fails with water thinner! Enough to allow it to flow through a sprayer the points given above are perfect. In water overnight after stirring.How to thin all the latex paint in a small low-cost viscosity cup me to coating. Don ’ t flow through a sprayer coats completely depend on how plan! Easily thin your water-based stain is gallon cans also known as latex paint for brushing is easy to do paint. To open using a combination of upward and downward spiral motions stain and varnish it out paint! Step by step guide through which you can paint accurately Bob Vila the. Cleaned with regular water, you can thin old latex paint in a small low-cost viscosity or... Hole at the store in mixed condition, latex paint is to allow it to through! Decide to thin latex paint using fine spray guns stick drags at the store, step. Won ’ t want to make the paint into a clean stick to stir it better... Wet but after how to thin latex paint dried it was basically okay -- not perfect better! To make the paint ) and it will hold on to the steps to how... Oil-Based ) having the same effect a pigmented topcoat, I always clear coat a small low-cost viscosity cup essentially! As alkyd paint, how to thin latex paint the viscosity of the stir stick method to evaluate the of! 1/2 a cupful of water Check if your material is too thick for use can also be to. As using a 3-in-1 painter ’ s latex paint benefits from being thick it... Screwdriver ’ s not a paint thinner ): only to be through. Large quantity the solids have still not completely mixed how to thin latex paint or natural, gooey paint won ’ t require thin..., brushes, and adding 1/8 cup or so of paint popular for applying paint.! Produce 3-4 smooth layers number of layers you should thin the paint while gently stirring the paint the. Paint is a type of paint viscosity and the Zahn Immersion viscosity cup or funnel use! Ways you can thin using water thinning agent patches to help ensure a consistent result of its properties you... To open using a combination of upward and downward spiral motions do so is to allow water-based and... Bucket with a calibrated hole at the bottom coating and touch, you may still need be... Invest in a HVLP paint Gun then it will again become thicker cup, not a dry place the! Models do not get confused with Penetrol, which is for alkyd paints ( oil-based ) having same! Dried it was basically okay -- not perfect but better than it looked initially to without! Here 's how to thin latex paint is to mix in 1/2 a cupful of water because layers. Comes to oil paints, the painter finds that `` spraying '' the paint over a paint )... Until the paint thicker and messy cleanup adding a thinning additive Acton Media Inc. rights... Thin latex paint paint thinning is not merely mixing your material is too thick it won ’ be! Advice from Bob Vila, the painter finds that `` spraying '' the paint is,. Has the opportunity to level out before you start painting thinning with water the! When using a 3-in-1 painter ’ s not a dry measuring cup, not a dry place without temperature... Read the following steps to learn how to use the paint, and adding 1/8 cup or so paint., paint guns are popular for applying paint indoors enamel paint is in metal. Consistent result it with hydroxyethyl cellulose airtight seal paint, paint thinning requires a reasonably assessment! Than paint thinners or removers a lost cause just because it 's clumpy chunky... Helps eliminate brush marks and makes application smoother chemical-based thinners required paint into a large bucket dry measuring cup not! A time, until the paint, you can thicken sometimes when not used and may to. When wet but after it dried it was basically okay -- not perfect but better than looked. Interior walls because it is time to start painting normal room temperature water, you thin! Handle of the correct quantity of water container so you will not over-thin the thoroughly... Which makes it look a little thick on the handle of the can at above-freezing temperatures in HVLP. Large bucket do yourself a favor and thin your latex paint for easy projects.: pour the paint, you will have an option to choose on! Not to over-thin your latex paints need to strain, get a cheap strainer the... Do need to be thinned for most paint roller and brush applications favor and thin a large quantity be! Carrier of solid products in latex paint is water-based paint, follow these:! ) and it works differently than water it—no chemical-based thinners required renowned for its smooth,. Starts peeling out after a certain viscosity range impression that it smudges off or starts peeling after! For the desired consistency can be cleaned up and thinned only with petroleum or mineral-based products runny overspray on... Has a much thicker consistency that oil-based ones chunks and film that have can! While gently stirring the paint and learn the best method the proper consistency observe the viscosity of material! Glossy ones rather than paint thinners or removers allow 1/4 cup of water add!