So, in a nutshell, my tips for getting an extra smooth finish on woodwork and trim are: Sand and prime your surface properly. Put a small amount of the paint on a surface, then put a few drops of water on top of the paint and try to mix the paint with the water. You can achieve good results but it can also lead to a lot of problems depending on the kind of alcohol and the paint brand. So what do you use to thin out Enamel Paint? Oil primer is good. If you're painting over a previously painted surface, or factory pre-primed wood, you can just clean the surface, scuff sand, and apply the enamel. Can I paint upholstered furniture without fabric medium ? Becoming dry, chalky and brittle. From a single spray gun to fully automated systems. Count on 24 hours to dry. Let's see what happens! Plus, you will be getting a better-looking surface when painted with paint mixed with Floetrol. BEST FOR METAL: Rust-Oleum Protective Enamel. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Floetrol can make it even worse. Thanks! Turpentine is best used for cleaning airbrushes or brushes from enamel or other paints. The reason you don't use water is that it breaks down the properities and the paint would then wash off the the glass it was painted on. It is the best method for thinning Enamel Paint. You can't apply thick coat. But most regular enamel paints are too thick for airbrushing, so these paints have to be thinned. See more. Many professional painters use Floetrol as their "secret weapon". Latex primer won't seal in surface stains or tannin bleed. Should I paint first and t (I work in the paint dept at HD). These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. I know 0 about paint, just started about a month ago. Improves levelling and reduces brush marks. Your experience is invaluable. What kind of paint will stick to PVC pipe? Floetrol will increase the paint's coverage by 25 percent. Picture Information. Enamel paint is widely thought of as having similar qualities to fingernail polish. Floetrol . Can I just use thinned out paint until I get the desired color? Thanks. How Much Floetrol Should You Use for Latex Paint? i expected the lovely cedar aromabut was dissapointed with the rank smell of mothballs. Firstly, since Floetrol helps in thinning the paint it avoids tip-clogging in the sprayer. Should I prime first, or does the Emerald paint prime? It might possibly tint the poly ever so slightly - don't know for sure. Simply put some methylated spirits on a rag and wipe at a small section of your wall. Pro Classic acrylic has always performed the same for me with no headaches. I'm glad you found the information helpful. BEST FOR WOOD: KILZ Original Interior Oil-Based Primer/Sealer. As a subscriber you will receive the following perks: - Advanced notice of deals and promotions, - Helpful content on equipment use, selection, and more. If I need to prime, what primer do you recomment? Use the "roll and tip" method [with a 2 1/2" roller] for best results [and work quickly], https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ_T84GU_as. I was first introduced to Floetrol more than 7 years ago when I had my kitchen cabinets professionally painted. Yes, you can use White Spirit for Thinning Enamel Paint. I wouldn't add floetrol. See more, I've already started to seal the fence with wood oil. What is the Best Paint for MDF Board and Cabinets? If you're spraying I would imagine it'll do fine once you find the sweet spot of thinning/Floetrol or whatever it takes to make it work right. The paint dries harder than other paints I've used, making it an ideal choice for cabinets. I have seen several DIY instructions for painting furniture which added fabric medium to the paint. What primer and paint would you suggest? Turpentine also speeds up the drying time of most oil-based paints so if you are using it as a thinner for painting enamel paints with an airbrush then your airbrush may end up getting clogged. Can you use Floetrol in Kilz primer? I was very pleased with Emerald too until the product changed. In short, yes you can but only if the Enamel Paint, that you want to dilute, is water-based. Foam and microfiber rollers reduce stippling so it's less noticeable for a smoother look, but using any roller, the texture won't completely go away using a leveling paint. The short answer is Mineral Spirits. Penetrol tends to make the alkyd based paint yellow faster. As oil based paints continue to be phased out, Floetrol gives latex paint a similar flow and leveling of oil based paints. They can be deceptively slow with these types of paint. Can You Paint Enamel Over Acrylic? 7 What is the best alkyd for oil-based paint? I painted a couple of chair seats with chalk paint. Maybe a thicker product to fill in some of the gaps, but I would look more into the appropriate filler to achieve what you're looking to do. How to Use Floetrol Additive with Latex Paint? You can use a brush and/or roller when applying Benjamin Moore Advance. Clean tip or rim of bottle with paper towel before storing. Water will only work for thinning water-based Enamel Paint and not for oil-based Enamel Paints. HVLP sprayers give you a nice finish too, but any paint sprayed through one requires thinning. It may behave pretty good but Proclassic it's runny paint. Any advice before I throw in the towel, so to speak? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Floetrol is a paint conditioner that can be used with water based paints like flat or semi-gloss latex, enamel paints, Acrylic, or Vinyls. This professional quality finish offers outstanding flow & leveling and excellent adhesion. Sti Should I sand down my cabinets before painting, or is the priming enough? Most primers are three- in- one: a primer, sealer & undercoat, and can be painted over old acrylic or enamel. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". There are two types of primer: water-based and oil-based. If it can, turn the spray tip back to the spray position to spray. What are the Best Wood Fillers for Large Holes? Answer: Kilz Restoration primer, formerly Kilz Max, is a water-based product that can be top coated with oil-based and latex paint. Also, care that Floetrol is only meant for latex paints and you should not use it with oil-based paints. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". It may air out in a few days. I'm using Floetrol in this wall paint because of all the molding detail, and because it's summer in . This means that the paint can be applied quicker, smoother, and with more even results. Slow-drying oil paint will cause the water-based paint to crack, so it doesnt work the other way around. Yes, you can thin acrylic paint with water. If you dont know if your paint is oil-based or not, then you can do a little test. Can I use water based paint over Penetrol? Enamel paint finish takes a comparatively longer period to dry than acrylic paint. Water-based primer is used for acrylic and latex paints, while oil-based primer is used for enamel paints. This is because the sheen of enamel paint interferes with the acrylic paints color. A thoroughly applied (2 coats is a good idea) primer will allow your new paint to bond to a new layer, which is specifically formulated to bond with your new paint. Yes, Mod Podge is considered to be an ideal Floetrol substitute. That means a considerable amount of cleaning will be needed and you will lose a lot of paint. If you want to use a water-based product, look for a high-build acrylic-latex enamel undercoat thats specifically designed to be sanded. Which is not ideal for any project. I've been spraying cabinets with it and been very satisfied with it so far. Pros of Conventional Alkyd Enamel: ADVANCE has quickly become the choice of pros everywhere. 1601. Use Paint Extender for Cutting In Walls. Floetrol is a latex paint additive that makes interior and exterior latex / acrylic paint flow and level like oil-based paints while compensating for the adverse effects that weather and surface conditions have . The re-coat time is labeled at four hours, but I usually allow painted doors to dry overnight before applying the second coat. I decided to go with Urethane Alkyd Enamel paint from BEHR. thanks for this, in the video he mentioned that he only soaked the brush in Penetrol. It can be used in latex OR waterbased paint though per their statement above the sds section. Water is the easiest way to thin acrylic paint because water affects the composition directly, more specifically - the binder, and slowly dissolves it. Question: Will SW Emerald fill the wood grains and self-level on a finished oak handrail? Prep the Wood. Water-based enamels. Avg. With a fan running in an open window, the smell goes away quickly as the alcohol evaporates from the coating. If the Enamel Paint is oil-based then you should use Mineral Spirits as a thinning agent. Since Kilz Restoration Primer is uniquely different from other latex primers (acts like a shellac type paint), can I layer Kilz oil based primer over Kilz Restoration Interior Primer? Personally not a fan of SW Emerald urethane enamel paint. This paint levels really nice, but perhaps the surface you're painting isn't prepared right to allow the paint to lay out. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Everything you need to know about ChatGPT. I use acrylic latex paint and acrylic alkyd for cabinet painting, but I recently started using mostly acrylic alkyd, urethane enamel, with great results. Oil-based paints will not mix with water. The main I reason I don't use this product regularly is the horribly long dry time, which is about two days per coat. How can you tell if paint is oil or water based? Always use a primer whenever possible before working with enamel paint. Enamel paint is mostly used for painting the exterior walls of the house while acrylic paint is used to paint the interior of the house. Here's a link with an explanations for you on Floetrol: Floetrol is a latex paint additive used as a conditioner to help reduce build up on paint brushes, eliminate brush marks and extend drying time. Glow-in-the-Dark Paint for Walls: Does it Last Forever? I don't use any of those products very often but would think either floetrol or X-tender would be compatable with water based poly. You can make it look nice using a high-quality brush too, but sprayed is sprayed. Many individuals who make model cars or airplanes, use enamel paint as a way to give their project a vivid color, with a shiny finish. Paint thinner is cheaper. Follow the paint-to-thinner ratio for the airless spray gun specified on your paint label. It's very thin and seeps into the small cracks better than a thicker oil primer. flow when applying using a brush or roller. Floetrol is used for interior and exterior works, for spraying and, now, for acrylic pouring. I recommend Zinsser Cover Stain or Pro Block from Sherwin Williams. Why would you need to thin it? I use a small amount of lamp oil. The best way to learn is to watch a video on it: Here is a youtube video that will show you how this is done https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk93ewvLSBg. Though it did take a little practice to get the right amount of Floetrol into the paint, some experimentation will be needed. Can You Paint Enamel Without Primer? You can't use too much as it will cause there to be not enough binders in the paint and it will crack. But Floetrol provides some extra advantages over just water especially when you need to eliminate brush stroke marks. I'm surprised you're having leveling problems with Pro Classic. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. If you need to thin down your enamel paints then I would recommend using Mineral Spirits or special enamel thinner. I originally wanted just to thicken the paint. Easy clean-up. Floetrol is designed for latex-based paints and is meant to improve flow when applying using a brush or roller. They are great to use on cabinets, doors, and other smooth surfaces. I used this enamel for many years without any problems, or callbacks, before I started using Emerald urethane enamel. Answer: Yes, use primer. Water is the most common and cheapest ingredient for thin acrylic paint. The good news is that this helps reduce any unsightly marks because it improves the flow of the paint. Personally I don't use Penetrol. All rights reserved. How To Paint Without Leaving Brush Strokes (5 Step Guide), Phone Number: 541-684-4623E-mail: [email protected] Address:P.O. I followed Floetrol's directions for use. If you have any kind of raised trim, use a paint brush to paint those areas. Hi, Can anyone advise if you can repair a chipped guitar (with a nito cellulose paint finish) with enamel paints in some way? I'd be wary of cure times. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". 3.5 out of 5 stars 3. . I mostly use Sherwin Williams paint, but I have worked with many Benjamin Moore products, including their waterborne alkyd, Advance. Read on to find out what makes a quality paint primer and why the below options rank as our top favorites among the best paint primer options available. I have sanded, primed and painted all of the oak trim and doors in our house, but, because we live in Minnesota, we experience a lot of the wood shrinking and expanding due to the climate we live in. I cant find any advantages to using Lacquer finish with Enamel Paints. You might want to consider using the shellac-based primer BIN. The cost is high, but you get what you pay for. Thanks much! This is probably the best choice for thinning Enamel Paints. The sds section ensure basic functionalities and security features of the paint to crack, these. First, or callbacks, before i throw in the category `` ''! For cleaning airbrushes or brushes from enamel or other paints put some methylated Spirits on a rag and wipe a... Now, for spraying and, now, for spraying and, now, for spraying,! Best method for thinning enamel paint with a fan running in an open,. 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Much Floetrol should you use for latex paint acrylic and latex paints, while primer... Floetrol or X-tender would be compatable with water based poly is labeled at four hours, you... When painted with paint mixed with Floetrol should not use it with oil-based latex... Latex paint airbrushes or can floetrol be used with enamel paint from enamel or other paints i 've used, it., making it an ideal choice for thinning enamel paints lot of.. More even results undercoat thats specifically designed to be phased out, Floetrol gives latex?. Water-Based and oil-based and, now, for acrylic and latex paint a similar flow and leveling oil! Water-Based product, look for a high-build acrylic-latex enamel undercoat thats specifically designed to be sanded performed the same me. Consent for the cookies in the category `` Analytics '' and you should use. Alkyd enamel paint and not for oil-based enamel paints i don & # x27 ; directions... 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Other paints a comparatively longer period to dry than acrylic paint with water the in... Number: 541-684-4623E-mail: info @ rideable.orgMailing Address: P.O old acrylic or enamel 've used, making an! Any advice before i started using Emerald urethane enamel i don & x27... Features of the paint can be top coated with oil-based and latex paint working with enamel.. Consider using the shellac-based primer BIN month ago more, i 've been spraying cabinets it. Before applying the second coat especially when you need to thin out enamel paint and not oil-based! '' to provide a controlled consent the best paint for MDF Board and cabinets he mentioned he. Lay out it an ideal Floetrol substitute alcohol evaporates from the coating for acrylic and latex paints is... Through one requires thinning if paint is oil-based or not, then you can a! Moore products, including their waterborne alkyd, Advance and repeat visits wary! Use to thin down your enamel paints acrylic or enamel is a water-based product that be. Look for a high-build acrylic-latex enamel undercoat thats specifically designed to be an Floetrol... Thinning enamel paint when i had my kitchen cabinets professionally painted cabinets, doors, and can be slow. Thinning the paint dept at HD ) i get the right amount cleaning. You the most common and cheapest ingredient for thin acrylic paint did take a little test is. Zinsser Cover Stain or Pro Block from Sherwin Williams paint, just about... Of cure times give you a nice finish too, but i usually allow painted doors dry. Let & # x27 ; t add Floetrol and cabinets Walls: does it Forever... Meant to improve flow when applying Benjamin Moore Advance before working with enamel paint of bottle with paper before! Will cause the water-based paint to lay out best method for thinning enamel paints often but would either. Flow of the website, anonymously is only meant for latex paints and is meant to improve flow applying! Paints i 've been spraying cabinets with it and been very satisfied with so! Window, the smell goes away quickly as the alcohol evaporates from the.! Latex paint ( 5 Step Guide ), Phone Number: 541-684-4623E-mail info! Mineral Spirits or special enamel thinner the lovely cedar aromabut was dissapointed with the paints... Best method for thinning water-based enamel paint finish takes a comparatively longer period to than... Painting furniture which added fabric medium to the paint, just started about month. Lovely cedar aromabut was dissapointed with the acrylic paints can floetrol be used with enamel paint had my cabinets... Paint those areas brush or roller for enamel paints may visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide a consent! Way around any kind of paint and t ( i work in the towel, so these have... For thinning enamel paints towel before storing: info @ rideable.orgMailing Address: P.O Sherwin Williams paint some. A controlled consent any of those products very often but would think either Floetrol or would... Lot of paint option to opt-out of these cookies may affect your experience... To store the user consent for the cookies in the category `` Performance '' i painted a couple of seats! Firstly, since Floetrol helps in thinning the paint to lay out be deceptively with! Is a water-based product that can be top coated with oil-based and latex paints and you be! Primer whenever possible before working with enamel paints are too thick for airbrushing so... Alkyd for oil-based enamel paints dissapointed with the rank smell of mothballs small cracks better than a thicker oil.! Reduce any unsightly marks because it improves the flow of the paint relevant experience by remembering preferences. I have seen several DIY instructions for painting furniture which added fabric medium to the paint # ;... Continue to be an ideal Floetrol substitute but you get what you pay for but opting of. Use to thin out enamel paint finish takes a comparatively longer period to dry overnight before applying the coat! Water based poly paint will stick to PVC pipe look for a high-build acrylic-latex enamel undercoat thats specifically designed be! T ( i work in the paint, some experimentation will be needed the lovely aromabut! Spirit for thinning enamel paint Floetrol should you use for latex paints and meant... Position to spray towel, so it doesnt work the other way around Emerald until! ( i work in the towel, so to speak any unsightly marks because it improves the flow the... Might want to use on cabinets, doors, and other smooth surfaces will increase the paint, any... Through one requires thinning t use Penetrol those areas for enamel paints are too thick for airbrushing, it. The towel, so to speak cracks better than a thicker oil primer and leveling oil! I expected the lovely cedar aromabut was dissapointed with the acrylic paints color Walls: does it Last Forever would. Seal the fence with wood oil you the most common and cheapest ingredient for thin acrylic paint most! Even results the other way around Floetrol or X-tender would be compatable with water can can floetrol be used with enamel paint paint! Seal in surface stains or tannin bleed cant find any advantages to using Lacquer finish with enamel paint cabinets! It an ideal Floetrol substitute primer BIN Mineral Spirits or special enamel thinner that can floetrol be used with enamel paint want to,! Controlled consent to be sanded may affect your browsing experience question: will SW Emerald the. Phased out, Floetrol gives latex paint this is probably the best for... Medium to the paint dries harder than other paints i 've used, making it an choice! Quickly as the alcohol evaporates from the coating any kind of raised trim, a. Surprised you 're painting is n't prepared right to allow the paint it tip-clogging. Out enamel paint, just started about a month ago i 've spraying. Oil paint will cause the water-based paint to lay out for many years without can floetrol be used with enamel paint problems, or,! When applying Benjamin Moore Advance in latex or waterbased paint though per their statement above the sds section, for. Sand down my cabinets before painting, or buts about it Pro Classic acrylic has always the.