Stretching paint???

vezb

Just wondered if anyone had any tips on making a tin of emulsion last longer?
As in cover more of the wall than it's supposed to.

Could you add water or would that just ruin it?

Thanks

Verity

Pink.

Hi vezb,

You should get help with this on the In My Home (DIY) board, so I'll move your thread over there.

Pink

angeluk69_2

I have always been told to let the paint down using water, I think it was take out 20% of the paint and then add water to the tin. Make sure you mix well.

HTH, I am sure someone will be able to advise further.

cattie

Most professional decorators thin their paint down with water as they find it easier to work with. Trade paints are usually made thinner than the standard retail cans for this reason.

I don't fancy the idea of thin runny paint so have never done the watering down thing myself, but one thing I have done is add some cheaper white emulsion to tinted emulsion to increase the volume of the paint. You have to be sure to stir well if you do this & also to be sure you have mixed enough paint to finish the job. Mixing white emulsion with a pale or medium colour doesn't lighten the colour drastically, but of course it may make a big difference with a darker colour.

john0612

well it depends on the finnish your after , you can put about 1-2 cup fulls of water into a 5ltr tin and work away no probs , but anymore then it'll be too thin and won't cover as good.

I normally don't thin it @ work but i'm always trying to get the best coverage.

misgrace

Depends on what make of paint you have, if you are using 'dulux' for instance, then you would definately need to water it down, if you used it straight from the tim it would drag on the walls cause its so thick.

For your first coat thin down approx 15-20%, then your second coat water down again approx 10%.

if you are buying 'wicks rubbish then you would probably have to buy a tin of 'dulux to thicken it up lol.