Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Determining if the latex paint is too thick
• Part 2 of 3: Dilute latex paint with water
• Part 3 of 3: Testing and using the paint
• Tips
• Warnings

Latex paint is water-based paint. It is generally thicker than oil-based paint and should be thinned with water, especially if you plan to spread a thin mist over a surface with a paint gun or spray. When thinning paint it is important to use caution so that the paint gets the right thickness for application and does not get too thin.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Determining if the latex paint is too thick

1. Open the paint can. If the paint is in a metal can, get a flathead screwdriver. Insert the screwdriver head under the cover. Push down on the screwdriver handle to break the vacuum. Repeat this process three to four times in different areas around the lid. When the lid is loose, remove it from the paint can.
   • You can use this method with both old and new paint cans.
2. Stir the paint. Use a stir stick and stir the latex paint for 5 to 10 minutes. Make spiral movements, moving the stick up and down. As a result, the heavy molecules that have settled to the bottom are mixed with the lighter molecules at the top of the can.
   • Another method of mixing paint is to always transfer it from one can to another.
   • Instead of a stir stick, you can also use an electric drill to which you have attached a stir stick.
3. Check how thick the paint is. Watch the paint flow off the stir stick. Slowly remove the stick from the paint and hold it over the paint can. If the paint running off the stick looks like a smooth, thick cream, then you don't need to thin the paint. By thinning the paint you will not even be able to use it anymore. If the paint remains on the stir stick or falls off in thick blobs, you will need to dilute the paint.
   • You can also use a funnel to check the thickness of the paint. Hold a funnel over the paint can. Use a ladle to scoop the paint into the funnel. If the paint flows easily through the funnel, the paint is thin enough. However, if the paint does not flow easily through the funnel, you will need to thin it.

Part 2 of 3: Dilute latex paint with water

1. Pour the paint into a bucket. If you plan on painting a large area, use a bucket with a capacity of at least 20 liters for the job. Diluting a large amount of latex paint at once will produce a consistent result.
   • Use a smaller bucket for quantities smaller than 4 liters, such as 500 ml.
2. Add water. Use 120 ml of water for every 4 liters of paint you plan to use, or 30 ml of water per liter of paint. Make sure the water is at room temperature. Do not pour the water into the bucket all at once, as too much water will ruin the paint. Instead, always pour some water into the bucket while stirring.
   • Latex paint has to be diluted with water, but the amount of water required for this differs per brand of paint. Better quality latex paint is thicker and requires more water. However, latex paint of a lower quality is thinner and you need to add less water to it.
   • You will need to add 380 ml of water per 4 liters of paint to most brands of paint. Instead of adding all this water at once, it is better to add a small amount of water first and add more and more water if necessary.
   • Never add more than 950 ml of water per 4 liters of latex paint.
   • If you are using half liter cans of paint, add 2 tablespoons of water per 500 ml of latex paint.
3. Stir the paint and gradually add the water. Use a paint stir stick to thoroughly mix the water into the paint. Make spiral movements, moving the stick up and down. From time to time, take the stick out of the paint and watch the paint flow from the stick into the bucket. If the paint is still clumping or sticking to the stir stick, add a little more water.Continue this until the paint has a smooth, rich, and creamy texture.
   • Never add all the water at once, but always add a small amount. Before adding more water, remove the stir stick from the paint to see if the paint has already become smooth or is still lumpy. Repeat the process if necessary.
   • Instead of stirring the paint, you can always pour the paint between two buckets with a capacity of 20 liters.
4. Pour the paint through a funnel. Hold the funnel over the paint bucket. Use a ladle or shovel to scoop the paint into the funnel. If the paint flows easily through the hopper, it will also flow through the sprayer. If the paint does not flow easily through the funnel, slowly add more water until the paint is the correct consistency.

Part 3 of 3: Testing and using the paint

1. Test the paint. Apply the thinned paint with a paint sprayer or paintbrush to a scrap wood or a piece of cardboard. Let the paint dry before applying a second coat. After you have applied a second layer and let it dry, see the result. Paint that is too thin will drip when painting. Paint that is too thick can have a texture similar to that of orange peel. Paint of the correct consistency dries smoothly and does not drip.
   • If using a sprayer, pour the paint through a strainer into the reservoir. This will remove any lumps or dirt that could clog the nozzle. Close the reservoir and take the syringe. Keep the nozzle at a distance of 20 centimeters from the residual wood or cardboard and spray. The paint should come out of the sprayer easily.
   • If you're using a paintbrush, dip its tip into the paint. Smooth the paint evenly onto the scrap wood. Let the first coat dry before applying a second coat.
   • Test the paint thoroughly before applying it to a large area.
2. Add more water if necessary. If the latex paint is still too thick, measure out another 120 ml of water per 4 liters of water. Make sure the water is at room temperature. Stir the paint and add the water in small amounts until the paint has reached the desired consistency. Repeat the test with the funnel to test the thickness of the paint.
   • If you are having trouble thinning the paint with water, try adding a store-bought paint thinner. These products are very expensive, so always try to use water first.
3. Start painting. When you have diluted the latex paint you can start your painting job. If using a sprayer, pour the paint through a strainer into the reservoir. If you are using a paintbrush, pour the paint into a paint container. Smooth the diluted latex paint evenly on the surface to be painted.
   • Remember, it is cheaper and takes less time to properly dilute latex paint than it is to remove improperly diluted latex paint and buy more materials.

Tips

• Clean the sprayer or brushes immediately after finishing the job. You can easily clean them with soap and water. However, they dry quite quickly and are more difficult to clean when dry.
• It may be a good idea to apply more than one coat of diluted latex paint to give the paint better coverage.
• If you are using the paint outdoors and want the paint to last longer, you can use a store-bought paint thinner that contains an agent that makes the paint more durable. It is a good idea to buy paint and paint thinner from the same brand, as these agents will have been tested beforehand.

Warnings

• Diluting latex paint will change its color and the drying time of the surface you painted.
• Do not use water to dilute oil-based paint. Use an oil-based paint thinner for this.