\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Brush a thin layer paint onto a test surface. If the paint struggles to get through the funnel, add one more part thinner until it flows. This will ensure that you get the desired results out of your oil paint thinning process without getting your expensive paint wasted. Keep in mind that the paint from different brands and manufacturers may differ in consistencies. If it is too thin, it will drip and sag on your project. There is a proper procedure of thinning the pigment so it should not be as intimidating as having to use oil paint for painting. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Concrete, Terracotta, etc. Always use a 2:1 ratio of paint to paint thinner when creating a thicker mixture. To give your paint a slightly thick consistency, combine 1 cup (240 mL) of turpentine or mineral spirits with 2 cups (470 mL) of oil-based paint. While you are at the store, you’ll need to purchase some thinning agents.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'repaintnow_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_8',133,'0','0'])); The instructions on your paint can specify what to purchase, but a typical thinner is turpentine or mineral spirits. Did you know? Once you have made the correct purchases, check the label of the paint for thinning instructions. As with most things, the natural option tends to be more expensive. I tell a thinner recipe which I use for a many years already and show how to mix it. However, as long as you practice patience and attention to detail a flawless finish can be achieved. If some of the paint comes off onto the cotton ball, the surface is latex. Oil paints provide a better protective seal than water-based paints, so the surface you are painting is shielded against dirt and grime, even mold and mildew. How to Clean and Spray Paint Cabinet Hinges in the Kitchen? We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Before you begin spraying your newly thinned enamel paint, you need to make sure the surface is prepared properly.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'repaintnow_com-leader-2','ezslot_13',136,'0','0'])); If the area you are painting already has old paint on it, it is best to use a primer. Oil based paints are meant to absorb and dry into the surface. Latex paints are water-based, thicker, and tend to dry quickly while oil-based paints are thinner and stay wet longer. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. For cleaning brushes, paint thinner is best since it’s half the cost of mineral spirits and basically works the same. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Thinner coverage can work well for exterior painting projects that involve a lot of whitewashing. You can always add in more thinning agent if the paint is still too thick. Always use a 2:1 … Last Updated: December 2, 2020 (5 Easy Steps), Tips for Spray Painting Indoors with Thinned Oil Based Paint. Martin & F. Weber Odorless Turpenoid. And while clay or terracotta roof tiles are generally too porous Read more, While the bat is more associated with haunted houses and vampires, they are one of the most beneficial animals on Read more, Different colors not only have an aesthetic effect, they also can affect your mood. It’s important to keep the amount of oil paint higher than the thinner. Take a bit of color from a blob of oil paint on your palette and mix it with your desired thinning agent. Regardless of the type, you are using, oil-based paints are a complex combination of oils, chemicals, and solvents and, sometimes, the mixture can be too thick for spray guns and need to be thinned out. Why go through the tedious process of hand painting a large surface with a small brush when you could be coating entire walls in just minutes with a spray gun?eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'repaintnow_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_5',131,'0','0'])); Before you get too trigger happy, though, there are some things you need to keep in mind. This is especially true if the surface has latex paint, as it is never good to paint with oils directly on top of latex paint. So when you are shopping around, check the label to make sure you are purchasing an oil-based paint that can either be used directly in the spray gun you have or can be thinned for spray gun use. Can you use vegetable oil to clean oil paint brushes? That’s why we use a primer! Always wipe off your palette knife before dipping into a different paint. While Read more. If you are painting cabinets or wood based products with oil paints, I suggest you mix just a splash of mineral spirits into your oil-based paint and lightly lay down the paint onto the wood. Turpentine is the traditional oil solvent choice. Is it easy? Paint thinner can remove oil-based paint from brushes and other equipment but only while the paint it still wet. Always refer to the instructions on the can first and, if the paint label does not explicitly state that it can be thinned, then it is best not to do so. This article has been viewed 14,467 times. Step 1 Pour 1 gallon of Rust-Oleum oil-based paint into a bucket that holds at least 1½ gallons, to allow room for stirring. However, it is not recommended because it leads to several complications. All the oil based paint thinners are petroleum products. 4. A good rule of thumb is 1 part thinner (mineral spirits or turpentine) for 3 parts of paint. Tested. The wikiHow Video Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. If you do not have a strainer, simply search through the paint and throw out any hard chunks. Turpenoid is … How to Thin Paint So, get your drop sheets ready, because we are about to get started. The spirits can be used to thin paints or to do final cleanup when you are finished painting. If not, the surface has been painted with an oil-based paint. Now is not the time to cheap out and try a sponge brush. White china bristle brushes are most commonly used when working with less viscous products, such as interior, oil-based … After that, I embrace the slow drying time of oil paint, rather than try to avoid it. When spraying oil paint, the mixture you use in spray gun needs to be very thin so that it does not clog the gun.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'repaintnow_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_12',137,'0','0'])); When thinning keep in mind that the temperature at which you are working can affect the paint thinning process significantly. Pour all of the paint from the can into a clean five-gallon bucket, and add a half-cup … Remember, latex paint is water-based—and water does not mix well with oil. Remember that oil-based paint should only be used in a well ventilated area. By using our site, you agree to our. Invest in a good-quality bristle brush labeled for oil-based products. Oil-based paints should be thinned or cleaned up only with petroleum or mineral-based products. You will also need a few buckets large enough to hold the paint that you want to thin and a wooden stirring stick. However, the amount of time and effort you will save by using a spray gun as opposed to a brush is still very much worth it. Because the paint is now thinner, you will need to apply more coats than usual in order to get the color and protective coating that you want. It will also help to have the painting tools such as buckets that you are ok with being painted permanently, some stirring sticks, paint strainers, gloves, and a funnel. The steps for thinning primers are very similar to the steps for thinning the paint itself. While you are at the store, you’ll need to purchase some thinning agents. wikiHow's. FrogTape vs. 3M ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape: Which is Better? Other than the price, the differences between the two solvents are subtle: Both are petroleum products. Can You Tint Lacquer for Furniture Finishing? Use a paint stirrer to mix the ingredients together so the paint has an even consistency. So, you need to start mixing paints by adding small amounts of thinner from the beginning. Make sure that you do not add thinner more than this or else the color shade you get on the finished surface will be lighter than what is desired. In fact, when you use cold paint it will always appear to be thicker than what actually it is. Roller Application: For smooth surfaces, use med. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 14,467 times. One thing to keep in mind when using thinner is that it may lighten the color of your paint and take longer to dry. Apply a thin coat using a high quality china bristle brush, 1/4”-3/8” nap roller or an airless sprayer (.013”-.015” spray tip, 60 mesh filter). Thinning Ultra Pro-Max paints may affect performance and finish. How Does Water Thin Latex Paint? Add thinner in small, tablespoon or milliliter increments when making adjustments to your mixture. This can be most of the time deceiving when thinning the paint. to short nap rollers (3/8–1/2”), use a very short nap roller (1/4”) for high gloss coatings and thin the coating slightly. You don’t want to do this multiple times and get inconsistent results. Thoroughly mix the solvent and the bit of paint together by blending them with the palette knife. This means that you should carefully Read more, The joy of refinishing your cabinets may be tempered somewhat by the realization that the hinges no longer match. This will avoid any clogging of paint in your sprayer nozzle. When it comes to oil paints, there are then two subtypes—synthetic or natural.