How to Thin Water-Based Paint for Spray Gun?

People of the younger generation like ours, and even the adults like to adopt painting activity as a leisure-time task, but some of them don’t even know how to thin water based paint for the spray gun.

Merely, because the ones who are painting for the first time don’t have much idea about it. No need to worry about it, here I will guide you properly with each step on how to thin water-based paint for spray gun so you can have a better idea of how to manage the viscosity of paints accordingly.

Mostly, water-based paints like acrylic paints have much consistency and cannot be applied easily. So, there is a need to spray them with water to adjust their flow to be applied properly. If you do not do so, it may create a lot of problems during your activity. After properly making the mixture apply 3 to 4 coats of your paint to give a well-defined and smooth finish.

Well, how to make an accurate blend of paint with water? Let’s have a look at it in this article!

How to Thin Water Based Paint for Spray Gun? – 4 Simple Steps

Before starting your work you need to thin the paint first for your excellent work. It is very essential to thin your paint because the consistency is very thick which needs to be lowered for this paint. But, if not properly adjusted, thick paint can destroy your spray bottle by choking the nozzle head.

So if you press the trigger of spray, it won’t propel out the paint and instead will remain stuck in the nozzle. So, to follow proper steps for thinning your paint read this article till the end.

Materials we need to thin paint for Spray Gun

While the thinning of acrylic paints is a simple process that can be done within minutes, you should be having the gadgets with you at that time to avoid any inconvenience. And these materials involve:

1. Bowl of 5 tons or any other container

2. A water source

3. Funnel of a big size

4. Assets for paint activity

All this material must be with you while performing your activity smoothly. Now, let’s check out the steps to guide you properly on how to thin water-based paint for spray guns.

4 Steps to Thin Water Based Paint for Spray Gun

For your amazing paintwork, you need to examine all the factors. The paint must be so that it flows freely from the spray bottle.

1. Stream the paint

First of all, stream the paint which you will use into a suitable container of any shape or size.

2. Mix the water and paint

Each ton of paint streamed in your container will require water of about ½ cup to reduce the thickness. Now, mix the water and paint together and merge it properly with a paint stick or any other tool. Inspect the consistency and flow of the paint according to your requirement.

3. Check paint flow and pour more water if required

Check if the paint flows fluently from the spray bottle or not. You may add the water if its consistency is not according to your requirement. Pour almost ⅛ bowl of water to reduce its thickness and then blend with the paint stick. If the flow suits you then it’s okay, otherwise again put on the same amount and blend it.

4. Repeat the process

Continue to do this process repeatedly until you achieve your required flow of the paint through the spray bottle. What would it be for the opposite case, let’s check it out?

You may also be interested to read How to Thin Enamel Paint for Spray Gun?

Steps for Thickening Your Mixture

All this was explained for thinning your paints to the required volume but what if the opposite case happens? If you’re adding water in your bowl to reduce the thickness of your paint but have added too much water to it. Now you’ve noticed, it’s too thin and floating with such low viscidity.

So, you need to sort out this matter. Put a ⅛ portion of paint into your bowl and blend it completely. If this works then it may be the right proportion for you otherwise, again add on and blend. Repeat this process and keep checking until you achieve your desired thickness of the paint.

Do consider the surrounding factors also! While preparing your mixture as it happens, the temperature may also have a great impact on your mixture. High temperature can slack it and cold temperature can harden the mixture to some extent. So, keep it according to the temperature of the room where you are working.

Finally, when your mixture is prepared, pour it into the spray gun and apply it for your activity. All these instructions are therefore very important to keep in mind, you don’t need a thick mixture as the acrylic paints themselves are thick in texture. You need to reduce their density first before using them by adding an adequate amount of water to them.

The water should not exceed the optimum limits because if it does so, the paint mixture’s viscosity would be very low and will not stick properly to the article. Follow all these points carefully before starting your activity to ensure a great paint day.

You can also read about best stain colors for pine ceiling

Frequently Asked Questions

Should my paint be sprayed before painting?

The water-based paints, mainly the acrylic paints are mostly thick enough so they won’t be applied properly if used without maintaining their viscosity. You need to spray them with water to make them thinner so they can be easily applied.

Can paint thinner be used for water-based paints?

The usage of paint thinners is actually suitable for oil paints as they have petroleum products within them. So you cannot use them for water-based paints as they require different types of solvent to add to them.

Read a detailed answer on Can You Use Oil Based Paint Over Water Based Primer

At what point it is required to thin paint?

The paints applied generally must be in a state that they may be easily applied with a paint stick or roller etc. If they are too clumpy to use and do not spread evenly then there is a need to lower their viscosity by adding water to them.

Also read a detailed to a most common question i.e. Is spray paint waterproof

Concluding Thinning Water Based Paint Guide

If you are fond of painting and creating new projects then you can get much help from this article. The ones having an interest in paint activity but are not fully aware of the instructions can also get a lot of help from this article. Here, I have mentioned in detail How to Thin Water Based Paint with a Spray Gun so you can complete your project more easily.