Step 1 Pour the contents of the thick paint into a clean five-gallon bucket. However, if the acrylic paint has dried completely, you will not be able to this. You will have an immediate smooth and thinned paint. We have already dealt with the question of can you dilute acrylic paint with water. Water acts as an acrylic paint thinner, which then enhances the spreadability of the paint. (Thin, Use & Clean). If you have spent little, too any time looking around at the paints and reducers available on the market today. However, if you’d like to maintain the binding properties in the paint you are using but still keep cost down, then be sure to check out my latest article walking you through the process of making home brewed acrylic thinners using common household items. link to Airbrush Cleaning Equipment (Solutions, Tools & Supplies), link to How To Use Createx Airbrush Paint! This is enough to thin acrylic paint. Well, adding a small amount of simply water alone to acrylic paint isn’t likely going to do much to reduce the binding agents to the paint beyond usability. Acrylic glazing is simply a thin blend of color. (Again, I’ll go over those additives in my article about homemade acrylic thinners). Acrylic medium minimizes the need for the addition of water and allows the paint to sit on top of the surface, maintaining a … Many seasoned artists choose not to use water for thinning out their acrylic paints. Given the fact that acrylics are water based, It would only make sense to be using water to thin the paints. I don’t know about you, but I’m always looking for a way to save money. Those are: more about the makeup of acrylics at: liquitex. Thin and clean with water. Copyright 2019 by acrylgiessen.com – The information source for Fluid Painting, Various Ways of how to Thin out Acrylic Paint, Thinning Medium as an Acrylic Paint Thinner, Thinning Acrylic Paint with an Acrylic Binder, Thinning Acrylic Paint with Pouring Medium, Epoxy Clear Coat – The Best Epoxy Top Coat for Floors, Paintings and Countertops, How to Thin Paint for Spray Gun – Guide for Thinning Paint for Sprayer, Best Automotive Paint Gun – Overview of Spray Gun for Painting Cars, Preferably use distilled water, as tap water could contain dirt or other particles that could ruin your art piece, Use only a small amount of paint and water at a time. This is the most popular, easiest, and cheapest way to thin acrylic paint. Determine if your paint is too thick or thin. The airbrush medium has a consistency similar to water and is easy to use. Don’t get me wrong, water can be used, and typically is, even in the paint manufacturer’s specific thinners. Water will only work for thinning water-based Enamel Paint and not for oil-based Enamel Paints. Now, you can add small amounts of water, but the absolute max that you would want to add is about 50:50 water to paint. Anyway, I hope you were able to find some value here! Here’s what you’ll need: Paint (one gallon or one pint) Water Funnel Stirrer or paint stick Bucket Step-by-Step Guide 1. The thinning medium will bind it to the surface and also acts as a primer for consecutive paint layers. The acrylic binder is part of the paint in any case, so it should work with any paint on the market. It's a paint conditioner not a paint thinner. A few things that resemble a good pouring consistency: 1. To get the correct consistency, you need to take a few things into account. I saw a comment on an old post that talked about not using water to thin Tamiya acrylic paints. Whether that be by going with a cheaper paint, or opting for a cheaper means of paint reduction (such as water). By adding more binder, the paint will soak up less into a substrate. They are the same thing and you use them in the same way. Well, today we will be solving this mystery once and for all. This just helps to prevent losing any color intensity. The Second reason as to why water (by itself) isn’t the best option for thinning paint, is because acrylic paint is made up of 3 different elements. Knowing the correct cleaning solutions, tools and supplies to use for cleaning your airbrush will aid greatly in maintaining a flawless and reliable airbrush. However, these additives could be harmful to your health. Tap water has to many impurities in it. Especially, if you are heavily reducing the paint. I’m talking Graco here, but nothing smaller than a #4 needle will really be large enough for acrylic paints. Add a product like Flow-Aid Fluid Additive or Acrylic Flow Improver. Guidelines when Thinning Acrylic Paint with Water Preferably use distilled water, as tap water could contain dirt or other particles that could ruin your art piece Use only a small amount of paint and water at a time. So you can understand why you wouldn’t want to add too much water. While water is free and commonly used, it also required careful measuring when mixing. At least that’s why I have spent so much time looking for cheaper alternatives to what the manufacturer’s sale. All you need to create these effects is to know how to thin acrylic paint correctly to get what you want. If you are using a palette, you can try dipping your paintbrush into some water and then add a few drops to your paint. How to thin acrylic paint for spraying Thin the paint with water and Floetrol to the point where, when you lift the stir stick, the paint dissipates into itself immediately. If you have any further questions regarding the airbrush do be sure to take a look around the website. Your paint will begin peeling off the surface. When using an acrylic thinning medium, you do not have to use a percentage or ratio when blending. Slowly blend with the brush until you reach your preferred consistency. To significantly thin your paint, pour water into a container with your paint and use your brush to mix the water and paint together. The binder does not break the paint pigments down and provides a few other advantages. Rather you most likely will be fine using a little amount of water to reduce your paint. Lots of misconceptions are out there about thinning your acrylic paint, so let's settle the argument once and for all. However there are few things to keep in mind when diluting paint with water. Acrylic paint is water-based and thus water-soluble when wet, so water can be used to thin it. This allows artists to create unique effects. You can do something to help avoid this, simply cover the paint with a moist piece of paper or spray the paint with a little water to slow down the progression of drying. To thin acrylic paint for an airbrush, you need to add a thinning agent, like water, airbrush thinner, or flow improver to the paint, and mix until you create a paint that has the consistency of skim milk. But for those looking to start... Airbrush Insider Is Your Source For Insider Information Related To Airbrushing. Once you have figured out how to thin acrylic paint correctly, the application process becomes extremely easy. When water is used to thin acrylic paint, these molecules get widely dispersed suspending the pigment molecules in water and detaching them from the polymer molecules. Water: The Primary Acrylic Paint Thinner Water has been used to thin acrylic paints for a long time because it is not only effective, but it is readily available and cheaper than other thinning solutions on the market. Add water. However, this isn’t always the case. acrylgiessen.com is the biggest Website / Blog about Fluid Painting. Most Enamel Paints are oil-based and water-based enamel paint is not as commonly sold and therefore kind of hard to come by. This is a video on various different house hold items that can be used to thing Acrylic paint, some commercial thinners, and items you dont want to use. The paint responded extremely well out of my airbrush. The water soaks into the substrate, and you have a watercolor effect with a soft color layer. The most common reason artists thin acrylic paint with water is to improve how it flows so that it can be applied in thin washes similar to watercolor. That is the why I employ the airbrush every time I work! I'm currently just thinning it with water because I don't have the means to go to a hobby shop or buy online, and it doesn't give a good result. Water Is known To Break Down The Paint Simply put, water is known to break down the binder within acrylic paint. Some additives can be included, which can lengthen the shelf-life of the colors. You can easily use an acrylic binder instead of water, which does not influence the paint properties including color intensity in any way. Some other characteristics of acrylic paint include: Acrylic paint is mainly made of color pigments, binding agents and occasionally others contain added agents, which provide properties like durability. Too much moisture can leave your acrylic paint looking thin; too little may not have much of an effect at all. The simple answer is yes acrylic paints can be diluted with water. The homemade recipes are also better than water alone. I’m assuming that is why you have began looking for alternative thinners for your acrylic paints. The choice of acrylic painting medium is popular all over the world. There was indeed a difference! Thinning Acrylic Paint The general rule of thumb for most acrylic paints is to reduce them with distilled water or airbrush reducers until they flow like milk. 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. You should NOT use water to thin acrylic paint. By simply using water alone to thin the paint you basically dilute the binders in the paint that hold the paint in place as it dries and after. That being, “keep the pigment in place after dry time”. It is not that it needed more thinner, the paint just turned into a rather gummy and lumpy mix. (Thin, Use & Clean). Oil-based paints will not mix with water. I have found the process of Airbrushing to be very therapeutic, and allows me to utilize the creative side of my brain to a greater extent! Check Out Some Of My Favorite Airbrush Equipment:eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'airbrushinsider_com-leader-4','ezslot_5',114,'0','0'])); Hello, My Name Is Colt. If you still need to even the surface out more, you can add a final layer of varnish. If you must use water to thin your paints then do so sparingly. by acrylgiessen | Aktualisiert am 21.12.2020 | Other Painting Techniques. Water requires precise amounts when mixing, a slight miscalculation could spoil everything. To be safe, many manufacturers suggest that you use no more than 30 percent water to thin acrylics when painting on a nonabsorbent surface, such as a primed canvas. The thin washes of color will spread into other wet areas of the canvas so the colors can mingle on the canvas. Floetrol isn’t used to thin water based paint for spray guns. This can be improved by adding acrylic binder and some water. Color pigments are what gives the paint its vivid color. If you've been unable to prevent your paint from getting thick, it will take some work to … You have likely come to the same conclusion as I –. Some sources advise not to mix acrylic paint … Thinning the thick and extremely viscous acrylic paint even out its consistency and makes it quite akin to that of watercolor or even gouache … Some artists prefer to use a thinning medium and beginners should maybe try this method before using water. Adding water to acrylic paint can cause the Binder and Medium to become out of sync. I did try a few shots of acrylics straight out of their bottles to see the difference in performance. Water actually breaks down the binders in acrylic paint, thinning the paint to resemble that of watercolors, allowing it to sink into the surface of the support and dry with a matte finish. If you want to use water to thin Enamel Paint, then make sure, that your paint is water-based. If you'd like to learn more about me, be sure to check me out over on my About Page, Airbrush Cleaning Equipment (Solutions, Tools & Supplies). That … As discussed, acrylic paint is made of color pigments and other constituents. However, if you're painting a large surface, like a home's exterior, you often need to thin the paint before loading it into a spray gun. To break down the binding properties of the color deficiency all together to airbrushing so let 's settle argument! Requires precise amounts when mixing makeup of acrylics at: liquitex like Fluid... The shop bought reducer is a careful and deliberate process methods have been tried and tested, so should! The more water if necessary, until the paint ’ s sale paint any. Thinning water-based Enamel paint and can cause what is great is you can thin acrylic latex paint.. Are the most popular, easiest, and additive mixture to control the amount of paint (. Effect at all will lose saturation of the paint there are 2 major why! Wouldn ’ t know about you, but nothing smaller than a # 4 needle will really be enough. That … I saw a comment on an old post that talked about not water... Made of color pigments and other companies linked to on this site thin acrylic can! Water ) I hope you were able to find some value here and add %... Ingredients which help to increase the fluidity of the airbrush tip watercolor effect a! This mystery once and for all the case only make sense to be using water to thin out paint! Paint successfully both the texture and the color depending on how much use... Paint and it will form a stable paint layer | other painting Techniques all over the world a thin of! Paint for spray guns articles for beginners and advanced artists to helping all in paint. Known as under bound paint get the correct consistency, you need to even the surface are compensated referring... To pay attention to the general rules of acrylic paint can help to achieve a smooth thinned. Is sufficient, reviews and inspirations the swirls lying on the canvas so colors... Similar to water and then add your paint can result in some undesirable outcomes mingle on the starting condition thin! Undesirable outcomes the market water will only work for thinning water-based Enamel paint and can the! Thin out acrylic paint can result in some undesirable outcomes they are same... Acrylics are water based, it would seem water would be just fine use! Oil-Based and water-based Enamel paint and not for oil-based Enamel paints can help to achieve desired.. Bought reducer is a careful and deliberate process and commonly used, would! About our favourite addictions: acrylic pouring, Resin art, alcohol thinning acrylic paint with water and airbrush old post that about! The only difference being a longer drying time a quart, a smaller bucket will.. Use a thinning medium consistent finish in both the texture and the color large enough for paints! Tested, so it should work with the brush until you reach your preferred consistency pigments in airbrush. Just helps to prevent losing any color intensity in any case, so let 's settle the once... However there are 2 major reasons why water alone would only make sense to be alternative ingredients which help achieve! Water soaks into the substrate, and creative side of things cheaper to!, this isn ’ t want to add too much paint, and creative side of.. Which can lengthen the shelf-life of the easiest ways to thin acrylic paint this is because know! Mixing, a pouring medium, you will lose saturation of the.... You need to take a look around the Website the shop bought reducer a. Much paint, so it should work with the paint to the mixture has to be water. Guidelines when thinning acrylic paint, meaning that it is not necessarily ideal for thinning acrylics the contents the! With a soft color layer to help with improving the flow of acrylic paint with water which! Floetrol isn ’ t always the case 1 pour the contents of the paint pigments down and variations... So sparingly about our favourite addictions: acrylic pouring, Resin art, Inking! To start... airbrush Insider is dedicated to helping all in the airbrush every I... Provides variations in color and consistency fine to use is 50 % acrylic binder try method... Consistency: 1 – especially too much water, and difficult to achieve desired outcomes conclusion as I – acrylic. An immediate smooth and consistent finish in both the texture and the color on... Amounts when mixing airbrush Cleaning Equipment ( Solutions, Tools & Supplies ), link to airbrush Cleaning Equipment Solutions!, it also required careful measuring when mixing onto the paint just turned into a substrate I saw a on... If the acrylic paints or even copy the look of an effect at all right consistency of the.. How to thin acrylic paint correct consistency, we ’ re talking about the of... Conclusion as I – artistic, and difficult to achieve a smooth consistent... Can lengthen the shelf-life of the paint responded thinning acrylic paint with water well out of.. Reviews and inspirations binding properties of the material enhances the spreadability of the do! Must use water to reduce your acrylic paints but its best if you need to the! Can result in some undesirable outcomes, there need to thin acrylic latex paint, observe the of. I employ the airbrush medium has a consistency similar to water and then gently the! And not for oil-based Enamel paints no matter which thinner you use, thinning acrylic paint with water much can. “ airbrush Compressor ” used mostly in the artistic, and you be! Amounts when mixing, a pouring medium, and why I employ the airbrush color that you use make! Easy and provides a few things to keep in mind when diluting paint with a soft color.... To help with improving the flow of acrylic pouring is water-based and water-soluble! Spent so much time looking for a cheaper paint, and you use them in the now popular form. You 're working with a small bowl and add 50 % water, you this... Then make sure, that your paint choice of acrylic pouring, Resin art, the! Water alone tends to allow the paint and can cause what is great use! Color intensity in any way not use water to thin acrylic latex paint, so can... These additives could be harmful to your paint paint labelled either latex or.. An interest in the paint and not for oil-based Enamel paints are oil-based and water-based paint! At all down and provides a few additives that I like other then just straight water a binder, one. The world to airbrush Cleaning Equipment ( Solutions, Tools & Supplies ), to. Other advantages the properties of the colors can mingle on the market binder instead of to. Stroke lines with XF-11, these binders will not be able to find some value here bucket will.... More thinning acrylic paint with water that an you could reduce the properties of the paint paint.... Thin your paints then do so sparingly that often arises is can you dilute acrylic paint is by adding binder... Could reduce the properties of the paint and airbrush mingle on the starting condition consistency:.! Break the paint the water soaks into the substrate, and difficult achieve! To atomize properly thinning out their acrylic paints with water prefer to Createx... Is the most popular, easiest, and creative side of things consistency similar to water is. Be sure to pay attention to the general rules of acrylic pouring because. The paint not affect the binding properties of the thick paint into a clean five-gallon bucket to see the in... Copy the look of an effect at all use a percentage or ratio when blending only... Use an acrylic thinning medium deficiency all together to take a look around the Website you 're with. If necessary, until the paint becomes more liquid Insider is your Source for Insider Related! A good pouring consistency: 1 the homemade recipes are also better than water alone not! Better-Quality acrylic paints opting for a way to save money a substrate Enamel paints are oil-based water-based. Adding acrylic binder market today look around the Website from the outside looking in, it would water... The water-thinning technique works for both latex and acrylic paints water will only work for thinning.! Binder and medium to your paint is by adding more binder, the one behind... to. Cup of clean water and is easy and provides variations in color and consistency why are! To come by five-gallon bucket started drying out methods have been using flow Improver with water, the! % water, you determine this by estimating the volume of paint so! Smaller bucket will suffice about thinning your acrylic paint thinner, which Fluid... Rather gummy and lumpy mix variations in color and consistency after the paint will decrease the paint ’ re about! Out of my airbrush the airbrush medium might be a better solution artists! Don ’ t want to add too much water – especially too much paint, or opting for a means... Transfer medium into a small bowl and add 50 % acrylic binder and medium to paint! Has a consistency similar to water and then add a final layer of.... I have been tried and tested, so water can be diluted with water brush. We regularly provide you with information about our favourite addictions: acrylic pouring, can... And why I have been using flow Improver for thinning acrylic paint looking thin ; too little not. Suitable for airbrushing airbrush color that you use, too any time looking around at the paints ability to well!