Can You Thin Acrylic Paint With Water

If gone by a simpler definition it can be said that acrylic by its very nature is a water soluble paint medium.

Can you thin acrylic paint with water. With the use of water or other paint thinning solution you can easily thin acrylic paints. That being keep the pigment in place after dry time. As to how much you can thin it several variables come into play such as quality of paint the surface and whether you re using a medium and what kind. Adding up to 30 percent water to acrylic paint thins it but still allows it to coat a surface.

Adding water to acrylic paint can cause the binder and medium to become out of sync. Some sources advise not to mix acrylic paint with more than 50 percent water. Pour more water into the cup accordingly if you re working with more than one gallon of paint. Acrylic paint is water based and thus water soluble when wet so water can be used to thin it.

Add water to your paint. When added to water it will slowly start to dissolve and become thinner in as a result. Thinned paint is used to create a cleaner finish on the model or miniature you are painting and makes it much easier to control the movements of the brush with paint that is evener. Losing this attachment to the polymer molecules the pigment becomes what is known as unbound since the water holds virtually no ability to bind the pigment molecules.

Any more than this may cause the polymer in the acrylic paint to break down and lose its adhesive qualities resulting in peeling or flaking at some stage or the. Too little may not have much of an effect at all. To significantly thin your paint pour water into a container with your paint and use your brush to mix the water and paint together. When only thinning your paint slightly take your brush and wet it in clean water.

Adding 60 percent or more water creates a watery paint application called a wash. The amount of water you add depends on the desired effect and the surface. Step 3 slowly pour water from the measuring cup into the bucket containing the old paint. Essentially diluting the binder to the point it struggles to do its job.

Too much moisture can leave your acrylic paint looking thin. When water is used to thin acrylic paint these molecules get widely dispersed suspending the pigment molecules in water and detaching them from the polymer molecules. Acrylic medium minimizes the need for the addition of water and allows the paint to sit on top of the surface maintaining a rich glossy appearance. Water can be used to thin acrylic paints but its best if you use distilled water and you use it sparingly.