Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: How to tell if your paint has thickened
• Part 2 of 3: Thinning Latex Paint with Water
• Part 3 of 3: How to Test and Apply Paint
• Tips
• Warnings

Latex paints are water-based. They are usually thicker than oily ones and must be diluted with water, especially in cases where it is necessary to paint the surface with a thin layer of paint using a spray gun or spray. The approach to diluting the paint must be careful so that it reaches the correct consistency and does not become too thin to work properly.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: How to tell if your paint has thickened

1. 1 Open the paint can. If the paint is in a tin can, use a flathead screwdriver. Slide the tip of a screwdriver under the edge of the cover. Then push down on the screwdriver handle to lift the tightly sealed cover. Repeat this step 3-4 times around the perimeter of the lid. When the lid is completely open, remove it from the can.
   • This method is applicable to both old and new paint cans.
2. 2 Stir the paint. Use a paint stirring spatula to stir the latex paint for 5-10 minutes. Stir the paint in a circular motion in an upward and downward spiral. This will mix the heavier and lighter paint molecules underneath with the lighter ones that remain on the surface.
   • Another method of mixing paint is to repeatedly pour it from one container to another.
   • Instead of a paint mixing paddle, you can use a drill and a suitable mixer attachment.
3. 3 Rate the thickness of the paint. Look at the paint dripping off the spatula. To do this, slowly remove the spatula from the paint and hold it over the can. If the drip paint looks creamy and uniform, then it does not need to be diluted, which can render it unusable. If the paint remains on the spatula or falls from it in pieces, then it must be diluted.
   • You can also use a funnel to estimate the thickness of the ink.Take a funnel and hold it over the paint can. Use a ladle to scoop paint from a can and pour it into the funnel. If the paint flows smoothly through the funnel, then it is quite liquid. If the paint does not seep through the funnel very well, then it must be diluted.

Part 2 of 3: Thinning Latex Paint with Water

1. 1 Pour the paint into a bucket. If you have extensive painting work ahead, use a 20 liter bucket or even larger. Diluting a large volume of paint at once will allow you to get a sufficient amount of a homogeneous material for future work.
   • Use a small bucket to dilute a smaller can of paint, such as 0.5L.
2. 2 Add water to the paint. For every liter of paint you are going to use, prepare about 30 ml of water first. The water should be at room temperature. Do not pour the entire volume of liquid into the paint at once, as excess water will ruin it. Instead, add water to the bucket gradually while stirring the paint.
   • Although latex paints must be diluted with water, the exact amount of water added will depend on the particular brand. Higher quality latex paints tend to be thicker and require more water, while lower quality latex paints are less thick and therefore require less water.
   • In most cases, you will need to add about 100 ml of water for every liter of latex paint. Instead of pouring the entire volume of water into the paint at once, start adding it gradually and in small amounts (as needed).
   • Never add more than 250 ml of water per liter of latex paint.
   • If you use half-liter paint cans, add two tablespoons of water to each.
3. 3 Stir the paint as you gradually add water to it. Use a paint mixing spatula to thoroughly mix the paint with the water. Stir the paint in a circular motion in an upward and downward spiral. Remove the spatula from the paint periodically to check how the paint flows back into the bucket. If the paint is still lumpy or sticks to the spatula, add a little more water to the spatula. Repeat the procedure until the paint has acquired a homogeneous creamy consistency.
   • Never add all the water to the paint at once. Do this step by step in small amounts. Before adding more water to the paint, be sure to remove the mixing paddle from the paint to check if the paint is smooth or still lumpy. Repeat all steps as needed.
   • Instead of manually stirring the paint, you can simply pour it from one bucket of suitable volume to another.
4. 4 Pour paint through a funnel. Take a funnel and hold it over the paint bucket. Using a ladle or scoop, scoop the paint out of the bucket and pour it into the funnel. If the paint flows smoothly through the funnel hole, then it will spray well with the spray gun as well. If paint does not flow easily through the funnel, gradually add more water to it until it reaches the desired consistency.

Part 3 of 3: How to Test and Apply Paint

1. 1 Test the paint. Use a spray gun or paintbrush to paint over an unnecessary wooden plank. Let the paint dry before applying a second coat on top. After the board has been painted with a second coat and the paint has dried, inspect the result. Paint that is too thin tends to sag on the painted surface, while paint that is too thick can take on the texture of an orange peel. The correct consistency of paint will be smooth and free from sagging.
   • When using a spray gun, first strain the paint through a sieve and then pour it into the tank. This will filter out any contaminants that could clog the sprayer from the paint.Close the paint reservoir and pick up the spray gun. Hold the sprayer 20 cm from the plank to test spray paint. The paint should spray freely.
   • If using a brush, dip the tip into the paint. Spread the paint evenly over the surface of the board. Let the first coat dry before painting the board with a second coat.
   • Test the paint thoroughly before painting large surfaces with it.
2. 2 Thin the paint more with water if necessary. If the latex paint is still too thick, measure out an additional 30 ml of water for each liter of paint. Use room temperature water and mix it into the paint gradually until the desired consistency is achieved. Repeat the funnel test to check the consistency of the paint.
   • If you still have not been able to dilute the paint with water, try adding a special solvent to it. Solvents are quite expensive, so always try to thin the paint with water first!
3. 3 Start painting. Once the latex paint has dissolved enough, you can start painting! If using a spray gun, pour paint into the reservoir through a sieve. When brushing, pour paint into the paint tray for convenience. Apply the diluted latex paint to the surface to be painted in an even and even layer.
   • Remember that the initially correct approach to diluting latex paint will allow you to spend less of your money and time than in the case when you then have to remove incorrectly dissolved paint from the painted surface and buy new materials!

Tips

• As soon as you are finished, wash the spray gun or brushes immediately. It will be easy to do with soap and water. But be aware that the paint dries very quickly, and it will be much more difficult to remove it when it is dry.
• To improve the finish, you may need to apply more than one coat of diluted latex paint to the surface.
• If you want to improve the durability of your outdoor latex paint, you can purchase a specially formulated paint thinner to increase durability. It is a good idea to use a solvent from the same manufacturer as the paint itself, as these products are guaranteed to be tested for compatibility.

Warnings

• Dissolution of latex paint leads to some change in its shade and drying time of the painted surface.
• Do not use water to dissolve oil-based paints. Use special solvents for oil paints.