Thin Latex Paint

Latex paint is a water-based paint. It is generally thicker than oil-based paint and it must be thinned with water, especially if you intend to distribute a thin mist of paint over a surface using a paint spray guns or nozzle. Paint thinning requires care in order to arrive at the right viscosity for application and to avoid over-thinning the paint.

Steps

Determining if the Latex Paint is too Thick

1. Open your can of paint. If your paint is in a metal can, grab a flat edge screwdriver. Wedge the screwdriver’s head under the lid. Push down on the handle of the screwdriver to loosen the airtight seal. Repeat this process three to four times around the lid. When the lid is unsealed, remove it from the paint can.
   • This method may be used on old and new paint cans.
2. Stir the paint. Using a paint stick, stir the latex paint for 5 to 10 minutes. Stir the paint in an upward and downward spiral motion. This will combine the heavy molecules that settled on the bottom with the lighter molecules settled on the top.
   • Another method of mixing the paint is to pour it repeatedly from one bucket or paint can to another.
   • Instead of a paint stick, use an electric drill with a paint mixing attachment.
3. Assess the paint’s thickness. Observe the paint coming off the paint stick. Slowly lift the stick out of the paint and hold it over the paint can. If the paint coming off the stick looks like smooth, thick cream, it does not need to be thinned and doing so will actually render the paint unusable. If the paint remains on the stick or comes off in clumps, it needs to be thinned.
   • You can also use a funnel to evaluate the paint’s thickness. Hold a funnel over the paint can. Use a ladle to pour the paint into the funnel. If it flows freely through your funnel, then the paint is thin enough. If it does not flow freely through the funnel, it must be thinned.

Thinning Latex Paint with Water

1. Pour the paint into a bucket. If you have a large paint job planned, then use at least a 5-gallon (19 l) bucket for this project. Thinning a large patch of latex paint will ensure consistent results!
   • For quantities under 1 gallon, such as 1 pint, use a smaller bucket.
2. Add water. For every gallon (3.7 l) of paint you plan to use, set aside 1/2 cup (118 ml) of water. The water should be at room temperature. Do not pour all of the water in at once, adding too much water will ruin the paint. Instead, pour it into the bucket in increments throughout the stirring process.
   • While you must thin latex paint with water, the amount of water you must add varies from brand to brand. Higher quality latex paint is thicker, therefore requiring more water; lower quality latex paint is thinner, therefore requiring less water.
   • Most paint will require 1.6 cups of water per 1 gallon of latex paint. Instead of adding all of this water at once, however, it is better to begin by adding less water and gradually add more water as needed.
   • Never add more than 4 cups of water per 1 gallon of latex paint.
   • If you are using pints of paint, add 2 tablespoons of water per 1 pint of latex paint.
3. Stir the paint and add water gradually. Use a paint stir stick to mix the paint thoroughly with the water. Move the stick in upward and downward spirals. Periodically pull the paint stick out and observe how the paint runs off the stick and into the bucket. If the paint is still clumpy or sticking to the paint stick, add a little bit more water. Repeat until the paint is a smooth, rich creamy texture.
   • Never add all of the water at once. Add it to the paint in small increments. Before adding more water, pull the paint stick out of the paint to see if it has become smooth or remains clumpy. Repeat as needed.
   • Instead of stirring the paint, you can repeatedly pour the paint from one 5-gallon bucket to another 5-gallon bucket.
4. Pour the paint through a funnel. Hold the funnel over the bucket of paint. Use a ladle or scoop to run the paint through a funnel. If it flows freely through your funnel, then it will also flow through your sprayer nozzle. If it does not flow freely through the funnel, slowly add more water until it achieves the correct consistency.

Testing and Using the Paint

1. Test your paint. Apply the thinned paint to a piece of scrap wood or cardboard with either a paint sprayer or a paint brush. Allow it to dry before adding a second coat. After adding the second coat and allowing it to dry, observe the results. Paint that is too thin tends to drip when applied. Paint that is too thick can achieve a texture like that of an orange peel. Paint that is the right consistency will dry smooth and not drip.
   • When using a sprayer, pour the paint through a strainer and into the reservoir. This will remove any debris that could clog the nozzle. Cap off the reservoir and grab the sprayer. Place the nozzle 8 inches away from the scrap wood or cardboard and spray.The paint should flow smoothly.
   • When using a brush, dip the tip into the paint. Spread the paint smoothly and evenly over the scrap piece of wood. Allow the first coat to dry before adding a second coat.
   • Test your paint thoroughly before applying it to a large surface.
2. Add more water if needed. If the latex paint is still too thick, measure out an additional half cup of water per gallon of paint. Incorporate the room temperature water in increments while mixing until you achieve the desired consistency. Repeat the funnel test to measure the paint’s viscosity.
   • If you are not successfully thinning the paint with water, try adding a commercial thinning additive. These products are very expensive, so always try water first!
3. Start your project. Once you have thinned your latex paint, you can begin your project! If using a sprayer, pour the paint into the reservoir through a strainer. If using a brush, pour the paint into a paint tray. Apply the thinned latex paint smoothly and evenly.
   • Remember, it is less expensive and time consuming to properly thin latex paint than it is to remove improperly thinned latex paint and purchase more materials!

Tips

• Wash your sprayer or brushes immediately after you are done. They can be easily cleaned with soap and water; however, they dry very quickly and are harder to clean when dry.
• You may want to apply more than 1 coat of thinned latex paint to improve the coverage.
• If you want to improve the durability of your paint for outdoor projects, you can use a commercial paint thinner with an agent to improve durability. It is a good idea to buy a paint thinner from the same company as the paint, since it will have been tested before hand.

Warnings

• Thinning latex paint will alter the color and change the drying time on your project.
• Do not use water to thin oil-based paint. Use oil-based paint thinner.

Sources and Citations

See also

• Mix Green Paint
• Make Red
• Make Purple Paint
• Mix Colors to Make Pink
• Make Glow in the Dark Paint
• Mix Colors to Make Dark Blue
• Make Puffy Paint
• Mix Paint Colors to Make Brown
• Make Paint Colors
• Make Milk Paint

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