It’s difficult to complete a project when the paint begins running out.
You might be dealing with the last little bit of paint and that creates a situation where you have to make use of what you have or run out to buy a new paint can.
To avoid this, you will ask, can you add water to paint to make it go further?
Yes, you can add water to paint to make it go further. However, once you add water to paint, it cannot be thickened again.
It is best to be certain this is the direction you wish to go in. As long as that is true, you will have no trouble adding water to the paint can to use more of it.
Here is a look at the main tips for adding water to paint to make it go further.
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Tips For Adding Water To Paint To Make It Go Further
1. Consider Using Second Paint Can
When learning how to make paint go further, it’s important to consider using a second paint can.
This is a lot better than adding water to a paint can.
The reason comes down to knowing a second paint can will help maximize the use of your existing paint without thinning it.
Once the paint is thinner, it is not going to be possible to thicken it.
This is why professionals will often avoid adding water to paint because it is better to use a second can to mix it with.
However, if you don’t have this luxury, you are going to want to add a little bit of water into the paint can.
This is going to make it easier to get more from the paint can without compromising on quality.
2. Start With A Little Bit Of Water
When you are adding water to a paint can, you want to think about how much water should be added.
You do not want a situation where the paint is unusable because it’s too thin. This can happen easily and it’s a mistake you cannot turn back from.
This means once the water has mixed, it is the only consistency you are going to have to work with. The only direction you can go in at this point would be to go thinner.
This is why it is best to start with a little bit of water and work your way to the consistency that you want.
If you pour too much water at once, you will be stuck with paint that doesn’t work.
3. Mix And Test The Paint
Always mix and test the paint.
This means adding a little bit of water, mixing, and testing. You will want to ensure the texture is in line with what you want.
Follow this sequence and you are going to end up with usable paint.
Remember, it’s not just about mixing water into the paint can. You also want to think about how it will look once it is applied.
The paint should not be watery as that is going to leave a poor finish.
By using a little bit of water, you can get more from the paint and not compromise its consistency.
4. Be Aware Paint Can’t Be Thickened With Water Inside
As you mix wall paint with water, you have to understand how this formulation works during the process.
Adding water is a one-way process.
This means when the water is in a paint can, it is not coming out. You are going to have thinner paint than what was already in the can.
This is normal as the water cannot be extracted from the paint. It will remain thin.
With that in mind, you will want to start slowly during the transition phase to thinner paint. Do not go overboard or you are going to end up with paint that’s unusable.
Final Thoughts
Can you add water to the paint to make it go further?
You can add water to the paint to make it go further. To do this, start with a little bit of paint, mix it, and test how the paint works. Remember that adding water to paint means it can’t be thickened later.
You will have to get the consistency right or you will end up with watery paint.
This is going to impact your finishing and it is a detail you have to think about. Do not overdo the adding of water.
You are going to end up with something that is difficult to work with and is just not going to offer reliable consistency as time goes on.
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