What is the best way to dilute acrylic paints?

Acrylic paints have become wildly popular due to easy tinting, quick drying, environmental friendliness and almost no smell.

However, to achieve the best result of painting any surface, it is important to choose the right acrylic paint solvent to dilute it to the required consistency.

Types and features of acrylic paints

Acrylic paint is a quick-drying paint and varnish material that has 3 main components: pigment, a binding emulsion based on copolymer acrylics and water. In white acrylic paints, titanium bleaches are used instead of pigment.

Quick drying of this material is both its significant advantage and disadvantage. Therefore, very often consumers have the question “How to dilute acrylic paint?”

There are the following types of acrylic paints:

• Dispersion – does not contain toxic solvents, is ecological. It does not prevent the evaporation of moisture already from the painted surface, thereby protecting it from the appearance of mold and fungus. Does not have a strong smell, dries quickly.
• Water-emulsion – has excellent resistance to mechanical damage, sun, moisture and other atmospheric phenomena. At the same time, such paint retains its environmental friendliness.
• Urethane acrylic – has anti-corrosion properties, is resistant and strong not only to weather factors, but also to petroleum products, industrial gases, etc.

In addition, acrylic paints are divided into facade and interior, among which the first are those that are suitable for exterior work and have a high level of resistance to weather phenomena, and the second are those that are most often used for interior work.

According to decorative properties, acrylic paints are divided into glossy, semi-glossy, matte and semi-matte.

What is the best way to dilute acrylic paints?

Correctly selected acrylic paint solvent is half the success of the final result!

Usually, acrylic paints are sold already ready for application, that is, they already have the required consistency. However, if you still need to dilute this material, water and solvents are suitable for this. First of all, consult with the paint manufacturer about how best to dilute the material.

Most often, water is used to dilute acrylic paint. It should be distilled to ensure the best result. You can also use filtered water.

Special solvents can also be used for dilution.
Solvent for acrylic paints (acrylic solvent) is a clear liquid that has a sharp smell and can provide certain decorative properties after painting (matte or glossy).

Returning to the question “How to dilute acrylic paint better?”, it is important to note that a clear answer to this question can only be given by the manufacturer of a certain acrylic paint.

Solvent for acrylic paints: selection criteria

A properly selected solvent will perfectly cope with such a task as diluting acrylic paint, on the other hand, an incorrectly selected one can spoil the material forever! Therefore, it is important to deal with this issue in detail.

Overview of solvents for acrylic paints
As mentioned earlier, an acrylic paint solvent is used to dilute such paints.

One of the most important characteristics of an acrylic paint solvent is the drying speed it provides to the painted surface. According to this characteristic, the following types of solvents are distinguished:

• Standard – used in places of painting with a normal temperature regime.
• Slow – they are used most often with automotive acrylic paints and on the condition that the work takes place in a room with a fairly high air temperature. Such solvents provide a long-lasting liquid consistency of acrylic paint, which is convenient to apply to the surface.
• Quick – a solvent for acrylic paint, used at low temperatures and ensuring fast drying of the paint on the treated surface.

It is important to note that acrylic resin, which is part of acrylic paints, undergoes the polymerization process to create polyacrylic paints. Consumers often have the question “how to dilute such acrylic paints?”

The most popular solvents for polyacrylate are:

• 648;
• R-4;
• R-12;
• R-548;
• R-1101;
• R-1166;
• R-2106;
• RL-176;

Choosing the optimal acrylic solvent for a specific case
To choose what to dilute acrylic paints specifically in your case, you need:

• pay attention to the temperature regime in the place where painting will be carried out – this will significantly affect the drying time of the coating and will require the selection of a solvent compatible with its properties;
• consult with the acrylic paint manufacturer – this step will never be superfluous, because the paint manufacturer will be able to clearly tell which solvent is better to use;
• aesthetic preferences – in addition to drying speed, the use of an acrylic paint solvent affects the decorative properties of the paint, namely the creation of a matte or glossy final result.

How to dilute acrylic paints besides solvent?

In the question of what else to dilute acrylic paints, ordinary consumers mention liquids familiar to everyone, such as water and alcohol. However, with acrylic paints, not everything is so simple!
Dilution of acrylic paint with alcohol
In order to understand whether it is possible to use alcohol for this purpose, we suggest returning to the definition of the concept of acrylic paint.

Acrylic paint is a water-dispersed mixture that includes polymer components, a dye and a binding emulsion.

Therefore, it is not recommended to use alcohol, which can reduce the quality of polymer components, for diluting acrylic paint.

An unpredictable result is not what you need for high-quality surface painting. In this case, it is better to use an acrylic solvent that is suitable for your paint.
Dilution of acrylic paint with water
In general, water can be used as a solvent for acrylic paint. However, before using water, you should consult with the paint manufacturer.

The water must be clean and without any impurities. As mentioned earlier, distilled water is best, but if you don’t have such water, you can use filtered water or bottled water.

In order to understand how to dilute acrylic paint with water correctly, you need:

1. Calculate the volume of paint needed to apply the first layer on the surface you have chosen.
2. 10% of the volume of the calculated amount of paint is the maximum amount of water that you can add for dilution.
3. Remember that the solvent (in our case, water) is always added to the paint, not the other way around. Gradually pour water into the paint, stirring until the liquid acquires a uniform consistency.
4. Only the first layer of acrylic paint can be diluted, the finishing layer must be made with undiluted paint.

It is important to know that if you add too much water to the paint, it may lose some of its important properties, namely: wear resistance, decorative properties (such as color saturation), in addition, the service life of the painted surface may be significantly reduced.

How to dilute acrylic paint with a solvent?

In order to properly dilute acrylic paint, this process should be carried out without haste and the following rules should be followed:

1. The container with the paint should have an additional volume so that it is possible to add the solvent. If the original container with acrylic paint does not fit, you can pour the paint into another clean and larger container.
2. The calculation is made taking into account the rate of solvent consumption per 1 kilogram of paint.
3. Acrylic paint solvent should always be purchased with a reserve and pay attention to the expiration date.
4. The solvent is always added to the paint, not the other way around.
5. The solvent should be added to the paint gradually, constantly stirring and observing the density and consistency.

 

How to dilute acrylic paint if it has dried?

Dried acrylic paint cannot be resuscitated. Such paint loses its properties, and diluting it with solvents or water will not give the desired result.

In order for the paint to retain its working consistency as long as possible, it is necessary to store it in a tightly closed container, do not leave the container open for a long time during work, and also pay attention to the expiration date when buying acrylic paint.

How to store diluted acrylic paint?

You should store already diluted or undiluted acrylic paint in a tightly closed container, in a cool and dry place.

At too low temperatures, acrylic can freeze, so the temperature regime should be above zero!

Frequently asked questions