How do you thin paint?

Paint can become thicker as it ages and the solvents in the paint evaporate. It is a waste and unnecessary to throw the paint away immediately. A better solution is to thin the paint, which makes it usable again.

You can do this by adding a special paint thinner. This thinner ensures that the paint gets the right consistency again and is easier to apply. Be careful not to add too much thinner, otherwise the paint can become too thin and the results will no longer be beautiful.

Stir the paint well after adding the thinner, so that everything is well mixed. This way you can make optimal use of your paint again and you do not have to buy new paint all the time. It is a handy and cost-saving solution for when your paint has become a bit thicker.

NOTE: Not all paint can be thinned. Whether you can thin a certain paint can be read on the packaging of the paint.

When to thin paint?

As previously described, thinning paint is necessary when it has become too thick. But how do you recognize when paint is too thick and thinning is necessary? The video below shows how to determine the correct thickness of paint and how to thin it correctly.

Which paint thinner for which paint?

There are different types of paint and therefore different types of paint thinners. That is why it is important to choose the right thinner. You do this based on the solvent on which the paint is based.

Diluting water-based paint

Diluting water-based paint, such as acrylic and latex paint, is done with water. You do not need a special thinner for this. However, demineralized water can give a better result.

You generally also dilute wall paint or acrylic paint with water.

Dilute paint with turpentine

Turpentine is a commonly used medium to thin oil paint and alkyd paint. It ensures that the paint has the right consistency for an even finish. Turpentine helps to thin the paint and is therefore easier to apply. Turpentine also evaporates quickly, which makes the paint dry faster.

Dilute paint with thinner

Thinner is a powerful thinner that is often used for industrial and specialized paints. Think of automotive paints and epoxies. Thinner is strong and evaporates quickly. The thinner is often used for products based on two components.

Dilute paint with white spirit

White spirit can also be used to thin alkyd paint, but it is a more damaging agent than turpentine. In addition, white spirit evaporates much faster than turpentine, making it less suitable for brush or roller applications. The rapid evaporation process can lead to an uneven finish and streaks. For this reason, alkyd paint is usually only thinned with white spirit when applied with a paint sprayer. The rapid evaporation of white spirit is an advantage here, as it provides a fine mist and a smooth, even coat.

Summary / overview

Choosing the right paint thinner is crucial to a successful painting project. That’s why we’ve put together the table below so you can quickly determine which thinner you need.