Is it possible to dilute acrylic paint with water and how it will help

Acrylic paint has many advantages, which made it almost universal. Unlike oil, acrylic paint can be diluted with water. The final staining result depends on how this is done.

What is acrylic paint

It refers to water dispersible paints and varnishes. If decrypted, all the features of the paint immediately come to the surface. Water, acrylic resin and the smallest particles of coloring pigment are shaken so that the droplets are evenly distributed between each other - this is called dispersion.

Thus, acrylic paint consists of the following components:

• water,
• acrylic resin
• dye,
• filler (larger particles of paint that make the coating more durable, adhesive, as well as matte or glossy),
• additional components that make each brand unique.

Operating principle
After the paint is applied, it begins to dry - water escapes from it. Droplets of resin are combined and create a monolithic layer, reliably walled up coloring pigment.

Properties after drying

In liquid form, it is a light, almost odorless substance that is easy to apply and also easy to rinse off. However, acrylic paint adheres perfectly to almost any surface (which makes it universal), whether it is stone or plastic.

The hardened layer is resistant to abrasion, fading, it can be washed - acrylic paint practically does not need varnishing for protection. Additional components can still increase its strength, resistance to natural vagaries, etc.

Advantages of acrylic paints:

• environmental friendliness
• lack of a pungent smell, which means safety when working in a nursery, bedroom, etc.
• universality
• quick drying
• the widest range of colors and shades (especially if you use colors).

Why dilute

Why, one wonders, to reduce the concentration of such high-quality material? Often this is necessary due to the fact that the paint stood under a loose cover for a long time, and the consistency became too thick.

Another option is when you need more liquid paint, up to the state of tinted water. For example, to paint over the textured surface, bends, hollows and other reliefs and delicate details.

How to dilute with water

Since water is part of the paint, it can be diluted and even preferred. As a rule, 4 proportions are used:

• 1:1 - normal consistency, thick enough, used for the base layer, the paint lays evenly, without drips;
• 1:2 - more liquid, optimal for painting openwork parts or for painting with impregnation;
• 1:5 - a consistency close to “painted water”, suitable for textured and embossed surfaces, including vinyl wallpaper for painting, bas-reliefs, etc.,
• 1:15 - colored water, used to create gradients, tinting, etc.

Water must be infused with a thin stream, constantly stirring and achieving an absolutely uniform paint structure. A construction mixer will be superfluous, just a rod, a stick or a wooden plank, but it needs to be moved quite intensively.

Water + Alcohol

In some cases, when the paint has thickened especially strongly, it is allowed to dilute it with water mixed with alcohol. Such a coating will dry somewhat faster due to volatile alcohol, however, the quality of the layer will be worse.

How to dilute with special equipment

Water is most often used when the paint has thickened, and the resulting paintwork is suitable only for the roller and brush.But for a spray gun or other spray gun, you need to dilute acrylic paint with a special industrial tool. The same applies to paints for decorative drawing, applied art.

Popular solvents for reducing color intensity and viscosity:

• • for art paints: Sonnet, ARTFrmat, TH10 Pacific 88, "Aqua Color";

• • for automotive coatings: Novol Thin 850, Car Fit;

• • universal: Fitter, Bugtone.

As a rule, the basis of diluents remains water or an aqueous dispersion, but additional additives make them preferred. For example, they retain protection against fungus and mold, diverge easier and more evenly, increase adhesion in parallel with the fact that they reduce the viscosity of the paint.

Having bought the paint, be sure to read the instructions, the manufacturer may not recommend dissolving it with plain water. In general, this is a completely suitable thinner, especially if you need to return the desired consistency to the old acrylic paint.