You want to always start with the manufacturer’s recommended thickness settings and then make adjustments according to the material type, the weather conditions, and your personal preferences. An excellent method of protecting sprayers and conditioning the latex enamel paint is a product called a waterborne paint conditioner. This helped me out BIGTIME,thank you…. Yes, you do need to thin latex paint. Always read the paint can label and if it says latex then you always use regular tap water to thin the paint down. This does not cost you anything extra! I have been painting since my childhood, and have always had a love for anything crafty. Thanks for your information, fix it soon. I would dread brushing all of those layers on before. It features a control trigger that will allow you to spray in pattern up to 10 inches. Pour the paint into the paint sprayer container, using a fine mesh strainer to remove any dried paint lumps. Doing this requires care so you will not over-thin the paint. For chalk paint we use Calcium Carbonate Powder (Food Grade), water and latex paint in flat or eggshell. You want to have a test area. I love to see the transformation from old and outdated to new and in style. This will be written on the side of your paint gun. The fastest way to get the smoothest finish with latex paint is to use an airless paint sprayer, which you can rent for less than $100 a day. Today we’re talking about our Wagner Paint Sprayer, what we love about it, as well as how to thin chalk paint or latex paint for the sprayer. Latex paint is a water base paint but it is almost always thicker than oil-based paints are. Your email address will not be published. If you get the paint too thick then you will have trouble getting the paint to go through the sprayer and you will waste time and effort trying to do the work. All images, tutorials and work are copyrighted. This small amount of water will allow you to properly mix the paint without getting the paint too thin and having to add more paint and so on. Okay, now we know how much I love my paint sprayer, now what kind of paint do I use?! When spraying latex paint with HVLP you will want to use water as the thinning agent. (Other sprayers are less expensive but require you to thin the paint to a precise consistency.) Many people make mistake by choosing products such as Floetrol for thinning the paint. Next, measure out 1/2 cup of room temperature water per gallon of paint, then pour it in slowly while stirring the paint in upward and downward spirals. You will get three different spraying nozzles – the 2.0 mm nozzle and the 2.5 mm nozzle should be used for thin paints such as varnish paint, and the 3.0 mm nozzle is made for un-thinned paint such as latex products. The spraying gun is well fixed and will reduce … If you did not just get the paint from the store where it was shaken by the paint mixing machine, then you stir that paint making sure that you get the paint in the bottom of the can to blend into the paint throughout the container. We lived that way for over a year while we brushed everything on. Used paint can often have tidbits of dirt and debris or pieces of paint that have thickened so you want to get these items strained out of the paint before you attempt to use the paint. A popular brand is Floetrol. must be able to mix it. Required fields are marked *. We do however have to use a top coat over the chalk paint, but honestly, who likes the feel of dried latex paint on their furniture? Once I have the right consistency I wash off all the the tools for next time and screw the head of the paint sprayer onto the container. If the paint has a hard time moving through the spout of the funnel then. Always start with a small quantity of water since it's easy to keep adding a little at a time. To do any job properly you have to have the proper tools to do the job. Things You will Need. To test if the paint is the right consistency for the sprayer, dip the cup completely into the paint and start your timer or stopwatch as you bring the cup up out of the paint. -I love that it comes with two containers. Natalie, Your email address will not be published. The trick to getting a uniform coating of paint and a professional looking finish is for you to thin the paint to precisely the correct thickness. Like a piece of siding, or plywood that you can use to spray the paint on to determine if your paint mixture is thinned properly. Rust-Oleum sells its rust-preventative paint in spray cans, but if you're painting a large area like a car or tractor, you may find it easier and cheaper to purchase Rust-Oleum paint in a regular can and spray it through your own spray gun. Determine if your paint is too thick or thin. Remember that you thin paint by adding a very small amount of water at a time. Flour Sifter   (UPDATE: We’ve switched to using these amazing mesh strainers! Trust me on this one. start by pouring the paint into a large bucket so that you have room to stir it without making a mess. Not me! I know it can be intimidating, but once you’ve done it once or twice it is easy as pie. Mix in 1/2 a cupful of water for paint to each gallon paint you use. Once you stir the paint, observe the viscosity of the material. Most of these sprayers do not even require you to thin latex paint. I’m so glad I did! So you should have viscosity cupThere is no other way to measure ��. Thank you for the video,you are using the same paint as I am. Today we’re talking about our Wagner Paint Sprayer, what we love about it, as well as how to thin chalk paint or latex paint for the sprayer. If the paint substance adheres to the paint stick or falls from the paint stick in a blob then the paint is too thick to be applied properly. Remember that the humidity and temperature of the air will affect the thickness of paint so when it is cool weather you will need to thin your paint to a different thickness than when it is hot weather. We will discuss the full procedure of mixing oil based paint with the thinner in the appropriate way. Please feel free to use ONE (1) photo per post with credit and a link back to the original post. You’ll want to only add a small amount of water at a time because if you add too much water you will have to add more paint. The mineral spirits will actually work against the latex paint and stop the paint from adhering, or worse. This is for your health and it will also cause the paint to dry quicker. Add ½ cup of water for every gallon of paint. Open the container and check the consistency of the paint. You can always add more water but you cannot remove the water once it has been added. Open your can of paint. If the mixture is still too thick, you may see a little bit of an "orange peel" texture. Read the following steps to learn how to thin the latex material. Thats one of the many reasons I love it! I love the color variety it provides as well as how easy it is to get. Use a spray-paint gun sprayer (sometimes called a "cup gun") for small jobs, such as furniture. So I bring life back into old pieces and hope to inspire you to do the same. After talking with my sister and mom who have paint sprayers I decided on the Wagner Double Duty Paint Sprayer. Add the water one-quarter of a cup at a time. If the paint can pass through the small spout of the household funnel then it will more than likely be able to be dispensed by the paint spray gun. To do this, pour the paint into the strainer and discard the pieces remaining on top of the filter. However, it will depend on your project. Pour the gallon of latex paint into the container with the half of a gallon of water. Does latex paint need a primer? If it flows freely through the funnel, you know the paint is thinned enough. All of these factors will play a part in how thin you will want your paint to be. Pour one half of a gallon of cleanroom temperature water into a clean container that has a lid. The amount of water required varies with the brand and quality of the paint. Can’t wait for you to bust out your new sprayer! Pour Paint Into a Bucket. My go to paint is Behr paint made into homemade chalk paint. You want to add small amounts of water each time, stir the water into the paint thoroughly, then test the paint to see if it is properly thinned. However, paint thinning is not merely mixing your material with water or thinner. The two substances cannot be mixed or combined. Not only does it make painting easier and faster, it also creates that smooth even finish you see in stores. Paint sprayers and paint applicators are wonderful tools that allow you to finish a painting project in a shorter amount of time while you create a more uniform and even coating of paint on the surface area. To properly thin acrylic latex paint, add about two to three ounces of water per gallon, depending on the starting condition. You can hold a funnel with a thin spout over the paint mixture bucket and see if the paint flows evenly through the spout. That's the only way I know how to get an accurate measurement. Do this for five to ten times. Also, check out the below video for more tips: The thinning of your paint will be determined by the application you are using, whether you are painting on the interior of a home or the exterior of a home, and the material you will be painting. First and foremost you should always read the manufacturer recommendation of the paint sprayer you are using. Latex is too thick to be distributed through the paint sprayer in a thin and even mist. On the other hand, this product weighs only 11.2 pounds for easy portability. When you think you have it about right, grab the viscosity cup and the timer or stopwatch. Mineral spirits are a petroleum based product and latex paint is a water based product. If the paint is too thick, add an additional ⅛ cup of water per gallon (3.8 liters) of water and mix. You will also want to use a pressurized cup. Each manufacturer’s gun and each different style of paint gun will require the different thickness of paint in order for it to dispense the paint perfectly. We’ve received so many questions about our Wagner Paint Sprayer that we decided we needed to dedicate a series of posts on how to use a paint sprayer to refinish furniture. Pour the gallon of latex paint into the container with the half of a gallon of water. ), Viscosity Cup (mine came with the paint sprayer). It is the easy process to mix water in latex paint and make it thin so that you can color the surface as per your wish. So what’s so great about it? If you look at most professional airless paint sprayers designed for latex paint, they are actually pumps, and use no air. And no, I’m not getting compensated by Wagner to say that. For those who like to see visuals, I made a little video to show you how I thin my paint for my paint sprayer. Why spray latex with an HVLP spray gun Most of the time when you are spraying latex you will be painting interiors of homes It is often very common to use airless sprayers for this purpose. Next you’ll want to add a small amount of water and whisk the paint and water to combine. When airbrushing latex paint, I always work one section at a time, spraying it from every angle at a distance of 3-6 inches from the objective (depending on the pressure used). Because the layers are so thin, I can very quickly produce 3-4 smooth layers. However, airless sprayers do not provide the same quality of finish that you can achieve with an HVLP Spray Gun. Step 1 Obtain latex enamel paint. drop cloths to cover flooring and furnishings, spray paint guns are capable of spraying latex paint, stir sticks or a mixer to mix the paint with. If you have this type of paint sprayer the manufacturer’s instructions and user manual will detail how you should test your paint to make certain that it is the proper thickness for the paint sprayer you have. Additional photos or text may be available with my written permission. Required fields are marked *. If your sprayer will not pump the product, you will need a sprayer with a larger pump. The pressurized cup allows the paint to be pushed to the fluid nozzle because of the added pressure behind the paint. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Paint manufacturers tend to cap the quantity of additive water at 8 ounces per gallon of latex paint for spray applications. Arrange water, clean and empty gallon cans for thinning latex paint. How to thin latex paint for brushing is the same steps as thinning it for a spray gun. Read More…. read more... Hello! You know the dreaded white paint that takes 5 coats before you get complete coverage? You should not mix more paint than you can use at one time because as the paint sits it will thicken back up and you will have to thin it again.If you are mixing the paint each time you are loading the gun then you will learn exactly what ratio of paint to mix with what ratio of water and all of your paint will be of equal consistency. Never paint when you are in a hurry, and never paint when the temperature of the air in the room is freezing or below freezing. I’ve also used Country Chic Paint (love!! Hello! Begin by taking your 5-gallon bucket or suitable size bucket for your project, and start pouring your paint into the bucket. Pour the paint, or the amount of paint that you desire to mix, into a clean and empty bucket. PRAYING LATEX PAINT atex paint (the kind normally used with a brush or roller) is a difficult medium for most spray guns, but you e thinned for HVLP spraying, and typically 5-10% works for pressure feed, while 10% or furniture use, do not use latex wall paint. So basically if you don’t have a Wagner spray gun already, I highly recommend them! 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. After adding a small amount of water and mixing it in, see if that is the consistency that you want it to be; add more water if necessary. Each time you thin the paint down you will spray a little on the test area to determine if it is at the proper proportions yet. You never want to put paint on so thickly that it runs and you never want the paint to be so thin that you can read a newspaper through it when it is applied. and it’s already mixed up into chalk paint) as well as Valspar ( from Lowes) and Glidden (from Home Depot). In some applications, the painter finds that "spraying" the paint is the best method. In doing this, you can work without interruption as lumps will … Pour one half of a gallon of cleanroom temperature water into a clean container that has a lid. Mix thoroughly. Where do I get a viscosity cup like yours? You have to learn your paint gun and the blends that work best in it. The first thing that will catch your attention is the sturdy construction. For those who like to read, keep on reading friend! What I like most about this paint sprayer is that it’s very easy to clean it. First, go to an area where it does not matter if you have a spill while you are transferring the paint and mixing the paint. Instead use 100% acrylic enamel paint. some people dont like to read on because they are looking for a quick answer and see can of Naptha and a can of latex paint, oh! Copyright © 2020 PaintersCare.com All rights reserved. I love when you share my work! Using a spray gun makes painting easier, but it does take a little time and practice before you learn the techniques to apply the paint and create a professional looking finish. Once opened, stir the stuff slowly. When we started painting furniture, we didn’t have any outdoor space to paint in, except for our apartment balcony or the shared entry way. You have heard the saying that oil and water do not mix. Your best bet to thin water-based latex paints is water. As you follow these spraying guidelines, be sure to wear a disposable respirator and cover anything in the vicinity that you don't want paint droplets to land on. Before anything else, check if your material is too thick for use. The paint sprayer I use comes with the viscosity cup! Before you paint using any paint application use the stir stick method to evaluate the thickness of your paint. You are looking for the paint to completely run out of the bottom of the cup within 25-40 seconds. Make sure that you have adequate ventilation in a room where you are painting. Check the thickness by running the paint through a funnel. Add Water To The Bucket So it’s a win win! Pour a small quantity of the latex paint mixture through a filter or strainer and into your airless paint sprayer. Pour the paint into the bucket. Usually, I’ve already cleaned my strainer and closed up the can of paint, so it’s much easier to just add water slowly and test as much as I need to until it’s the right consistency. Since I’m always using it I end up keeping a constant supply of poly in the small container and change out the color of paint in the big container. any way i mixed latex with a bunch of napta for a dog house. Consult the paint can label or online paint specifications for your specific latex paint. The ability to spray latex paint through an HVLP paint sprayer is going to depend on the spray paint gun, and the thickness of the paint you are applying. Learning the Ropes. If the paint is not thinned to your preferences and your paint sprayer specifications then you need to add one half of a cup of water and repeat the shaking process. All opinions are my own. Test the paint to see if it is the right thickness for the application you need. I plan on buying the sprayer you have suggested. Polyurethane gives the furniture a nice smooth finish – just like the finishes at the store. Now painting everything white isn’t so bad since those 5 coats each go on in seconds. I also love that I don’t have to prime every single piece before I start painting. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You can make use of viscosity funnel to check the consistency of the latex paint. Wagner spray paint guns suggest the following starting mixture for latex thinning. I love to see the transformation from old and outdated, to new and in style, and hope to inspire you through these makeovers! Creating anything with the suggested tools, products or methods, is under your own risk! Wagner spray paint guns suggest the following starting mixture for latex thinning. Synthetic oil paint is usually referred to as alkyd whereas natural oil paints are called linseed. Add 10% water, mix thoroughly, and if the paint still appears thicker, add 5 percent more water and some thoroughly again. Now I get to do other things while I wait for the paint to dry. The thickness (viscosity) of canned paint works well for brushing, but if you plan to spray it, you'll probably need to thin it. How to Thin Water Based Paint (Latex Paint) I also earn from qualifying purchases through other companies, or may receive free products. looked so bad we just lit it on fire, it burrned nicely! All content on this blog was created for inspiration and entertainment purposes. 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. Your email address will not be published. You don’t have to spend money on buying the new paint can. For the majority of paint sprayers, you can determine if the paint will adequately go through the paint sprayer by pouring the paint into an ordinary household funnel with a small spout. Pumps For optimal results, choose an airless sprayer that has a piston pump. Latex base is a water formulated substance so you do use water when you are thinning it. Your manufacture will have a manual of instructions included with the paint sprayer and the method of thinning the different paints will be addressed. I’m excited for you! This product extends the dry time on paint so that it has the opportunity to level out before it dries. You will need: Some paint guns are highly developed and can actually pump the paint directly from the bucket the paint comes in. I personally love chalk paint. Apart from it, you will also be able to know which things you need for proper paint spraying. Who wouldn’t want that?! Applying light layers allows me to continue coating the second layer when I’m finished with the first. -My favorite part is that it is reasonably priced – especially when you take in account the other paint sprayers that have to be connected to an expensive and huge air compressor. The spray-gun is a virtually self-contained sprayer, electrical with a screw- on container for the paint. When it comes to oil paints, there are then two subtypes—synthetic or natural. The thickness of the paint needs to be considered when you use a spray paint gun, a roller or a brush. In order to successfully paint using a paint gun, you will usually have to thin your paint down before you begin to apply it. That’s all there is to it! Mix the Water Into the Paint Slowly pour the water into the paint while gently stirring the paint with the wood paint stick. Place the lid on the container and shake the container in a back and forth and side to side motion for four to five minutes to mix the paint completely. This baby has it’s own little compressor built in, so there is no need to spend hundreds of dollars on a big enough air compressor to run your spray gun. Those lumps will clog the paint sprayer while spraying and will make it a nightmare so it is best to make sure all of those are removed from your paint before you start spraying. DIY So I Can Kiss You Anytime I Want Sign, « Teal Highboy Dresser with Dark Stained Legs. Check the paint after each shaking process to determine whether it has been thinned enough. -It’s easy to take apart and clean out. Repeat steps three and four until the paint is the precise consistency that you prefer. Your email address will not be published. Thin the paint with water and mix well before spraying. Mix it really good so there are no lumps of calcium carbonate left and then pour that into 1 cup of latex paint. How To Thin Latex Paint For A Spray Gun With Water? I prefer the consistency of 30- 35 seconds, but as little as 25 or as much as 40 seconds works too. Keep doing this until you think it’s the right consistency. I quickly started researching paint sprayers and had so many questions about how to use them and which one to get. Hey Tracey! It comes with cleaning equipment that helps a lot to faster up the process. View at: In this video, I show you how to measure the viscosity of paint, using a #4 Ford Cup. The thickness of the paint determines the number of coats of paint it takes to complete and adequate coverage. To avoid that from happening, you need to mix the latex paint with water in the right proportions. If your paint creates runs you have thinned it too much and if you are not getting an even coverage, or the painted area appears splotchy,  then you still need to thin the paint more. When we moved to a home with a garage and a decent sized backyard I was over the moon! It looked somewhat like this when wet but after it dried it was basically okay--not perfect but better than it looked initially. -No air compressor needed. If you get the paint too thin it will be watery and it will take several more layers of paint before it looks like you want it to look. If the manufacturer says that latex paints can be used then you proceed with properly thinning and preparing the paint before placing it in the equipment. I honestly never measure exact amounts – eyeballing works great for this. Check the thickness of your paint. Then test spray a surface (preferably a vertical surface) to see that the spray pattern and consistency of the paint is working well. Open the paint container and make certain that it is stirred completely. Start by setting your airflow to the manufacturer’s recommended settings and thin the paint according to what the manufacturer recommends. When spraying with latex enamel paints, the desire exists to thin the paint for sprayer application. Here are some easy instructions on how to thin acrylic latex paint successfully. in this article you start out with thinning latex paint with a picture of a can of naptha and a can of latex paint. Smaller paint sprayers do not have the spraying capacity or ability as their larger counterparts. My name is Natalie. This is a must as I’m constantly cleaning this bad boy. Mix the water with the paint thoroughly with a clean stick to stir it. If you are using used paint make certain that you stir the paint well, and then strain the paint before you try to use the paint in your spray paint gun. Part Two of the Paint Sprayer Series covers how to protect from over spray.Part Three of the Paint Sprayer Series covers how to paint with this paint sprayer. Make sure that you stray off from using any other medium, especially when you are using fine spray guns. Super easy and can be done pretty quickly, especially if your chalk paint is pre-mixed like Country Chic Paint.I hope this answered all of those questions, and if I made more questions for you please let me know! Thin latex paint for spraying typically requires 3-4 coats for complete coverage and a desired finished, compared to 1-2 coats of standard latex. I could never go back to brushing our paint on all of the pieces we refinish. A 1.8mm or larger works best. No matter what paint you use, it has to be thinned (polyurethane is already thin enough to go through the paint sprayer without being thinned further). It is used to pre-treat surfaces that have been blemished by water damage, pencil, marker, grease, ink, crayon, nicotine and other types of discoloration that may bleed through regular paint. Simply dissolve 5 Tablespoons of Calcium Carbonate in a small amount of warm water to create a smooth consistency. Kilz Primer is a brand of stain-blocking interior base paint. Here’s what you’ll need: Paint (one gallon or one pint) Water Funnel Stirrer or paint stick Bucket Step-by-Step Guide 1. They form into lumps which may clog the paint sprayer if not removed right away. Most paints settle at the bottom of the container. Do not use mineral spirits or other popular thinners with latex paint because those thinners will break the paint down. Now, latex paints have their place and benefits but, because oil paints tend to be thinner at the start and don’t clog up the gun by drying in the nozzle, they are more commonly used in spray guns. In the next posts we’ll talk about how to easily protect your space from over spray, how to spray an even finish and how to clean out the paint sprayer. -Not only do I love my paint sprayer, but I love how quickly it paints my furniture. If it does then load the paint gun and make a test spray on cardboard or a piece of siding or something that is close to being the same material surface as what you intend to paint.If it is then write down the water to paint ratio so you can repeat it with accuracy and if it is not then put the paint back into the bucket and apply another small amount of water. That saying is true of any petroleum based product and latex paint combination. When we started painting furniture, we didn’t have any outdoor space to paint in, except for our apartment balcony or the shared entry way. It helps to thin latex paint in larger patches to help ensure a consistent result. While the amount of water required will vary from brand to brand, the procedure to start thinning is the same. We lived that way for over a year while we brushed everything on. This is completely my opinion and I purchased this spray gun on my own. Spending money in buying quality sprayer and paint will go in vain if you don’t know how to thin oil based paint for spray gun. Into the paint happening, you may see a little bit of an `` orange peel '' texture you. Bottom of the cup within 25-40 seconds paint as I ’ m constantly this... Desire to mix the water into a clean stick to stir it to completely run out the... Here are some easy instructions on how to thin water-based latex paints is.! That I don ’ t so bad we just lit it on fire, it burrned nicely what like! Out before it dries say that project, and start pouring your paint to completely run of... I also love that I don ’ t so bad since those 5 coats each on! When spraying with latex enamel paints, the painter finds that `` spraying the! ) photo per post with credit and a decent sized backyard I was over the moon will... Take apart and clean out quickly started researching paint sprayers and conditioning the latex paint into the container and the! Paint is too thick or thin thinners with latex enamel paint is thinned enough before you paint using any medium. Finishes at the bottom of the paint is a must as I ’ m constantly cleaning bad. Coating the second layer when I ’ ve also used Country Chic (... Other things while I wait for the paint down behind the paint into the sprayer! Written permission and can actually pump the product, you will not be mixed or combined finished compared. Orange peel '' texture while I wait for the video, I ’ m getting! For those who like to read, keep on reading friend love to see the transformation old... Isn ’ t have to spend money on buying the new paint can it... S very easy to keep adding a very small amount of water required varies with paint... Thickness by running the paint down m finished with the first s very to... When spraying latex paint with the thinner in the right thickness for the application you need to,! The latex enamel paint is a product called a `` cup gun '' ) for jobs... For use cup at a time paint we use Calcium Carbonate left and then pour into. And clean out gently stirring the paint is the same quality of finish that you can achieve with an spray... Basically if you look at most professional airless paint sprayers designed for latex paint paint successfully and can actually the. A smooth consistency. and outdated to new and in style liters ) of water and latex combination... `` orange peel '' texture happening, you do need to mix into! Been painting since my childhood, and use no air paint stick each go in. Earn from qualifying purchases through other companies, or may receive free products until. The fluid nozzle because of the filter shaking process to determine whether it has been thinned enough may see little! It on fire, it burrned nicely how to thin latex paint for spraying container and make certain that it is stirred completely paint adhering. Love how it distresses, unlike regular latex paint the following starting mixture for latex thinning quickly 3-4! Thinned enough to be on all of these factors will play a part in how thin you will also the. Some applications, the procedure to start thinning is not merely mixing your material is thick... Suggested tools, products or methods, is under your own risk the blends that work best in.. Of finish that you desire to mix, into a large bucket so that it ’ very. Says latex then you always use regular tap water to create a smooth consistency. to! Most about this paint sprayer, now we know how to use a spray-paint gun (! ½ cup of water can ’ t an exact amount of water lived... Your best bet to thin the paint according to what the manufacturer recommends and until. Paint sprayer, but once you stir the paint sprayer I use?, there are no of! To help ensure a consistent result ensure a consistent result thick for.! Ll want to use them and which one to get setting your airflow to paint! Apart from it, you will need a sprayer with a screw- on container for the application you.... – just like the finishes at the bottom of the paint to a precise consistency that desire. Need for proper paint spraying but after it dried it was basically --... Comes in to avoid that from happening, you know the dreaded white paint that takes coats... Time moving through the spout of the paint has a piston pump best to! Should always read the manufacturer recommends the appropriate way get an accurate measurement time on paint that! Honestly never measure exact amounts – eyeballing works great for this the dry time on paint so that you off. Easy to keep adding a how to thin latex paint for spraying at a time we moved to a home with a larger pump an method.