Acrylic pouring is an ideal accessible and therapeutic way to paint. It is a process through which you can make surfaces saturated with mesmerizing swirls and dizzying color. If you use an effective pouring medium, then it can aid the flow of Acrylics. The good ones such as Floetrol always help to retain the actual color of paints, whereas a few add a beautiful sheen.
What is Floetrol?
Floetrol is a water-based paint conditioner and extender. In addition, it makes emulsion and acrylic paint both interior and exterior to do the job as oil-based paint. Further, it helps the paint to stay longer and withstand harsh environments like hot, cold, and windy. Besides, it allows you to eliminate the roller and brush marks. But this latex paint additive used as a conditioner takes more drying time. The conditioner ingredients are vinyl acetate, n-butyl acrylate polymer about 20 to 10%, and water 80 to 90%. It is a pouring medium.
Advantages of Using Floetrol as Medium:
For the people who don’t know about paints and additives, it is a medium that you can put in the acrylic paints to work with them efficiently and use them in your applications as you prefer. The medium helps to thin the paint, due to which you do not need to thin it.
If you use water to thin, paints become runnier and easier to work with. When you put water into it, you need to sacrifice the paint’s integrity to lessen the color, and thus the acrylics are gradually losing their hold on the canvas.
It is why you are not advised to use more than a bit of water in your mixes. You should use a top-quality medium for the movement and longer drying time of thinned paint, but make sure that you are not losing any depth of color.
Primarily, the medium is used in house painting, which is why it’s low price. People use this medium while mixing with paint as it maintains a perfect consistency throughout your work. It becomes easier for working with paint using this one as it improves both flow and leveling. Besides, you don’t need to use any extra additive like silicone for getting the giant cells. Pouring is now more interesting for this medium.
Improvement in flow is helpful for the paint to adhere to the canvas more readily. This feature boosts your materials’ staining properties and reduces the drying property. The more time your paint will take to dry, the more you are capable of tweaking and finessing pours.
More about Floetrol:
As it maintains the consistency of paint, your work will have a much longer life. Using the medium with silicone is advised because it is ideal to self-level any craters that might form on the surface. However, it is not capable of helping you when you will use an excessive amount of paint in the first place. You only need to put this, and it will work nicely with any product, which makes the medium very versatile.
It is a water-based paint conditioner that makes interior & exterior emulsion and allows acrylic paints to work like oil-based paints. Apart from this, the medium allows the paint to manage more harsh conditions like hot, cold, windy environments, etc.
The medium is also helpful for removing brush & roller marks, and it is the vital attribute of this medium. In this case, it helps to improve the flow of the paint to deliver a more professional finish to the users. Due to this improved paint flow, you can do your work very quickly also.
It can thin the paint without causing any damage to the inherent qualities of the paint or color. While you will use this medium in a paint sprayer, it permits a maximum of 20% reduction in pressure without affecting the spray pattern’s performance. Thus, it is capable of preventing clogging. The composition of this medium allows you to generate the highly sought after strong, well-formed cells.
Is It Necessary To Use The Medium, Or Can You Use Any Other Medium Of The Brand?
It is recommended to the new ones that they should use a few different mediums. A few people are there who are willing to use other brands. But still, according to us, floetrol is the one which has the best overall medium quality on the market.
Why Do You Need to Use This Medium?
You need to know that the medium is manufactured for large-scale use and is cheaper than those additives formulated mainly for crafters and artists. It functions very well when you will work with it in your applications.
It may seem essential for you to stick with the arts and crafts brands while starting, but many experienced pourers have researched the best balance of performance and price.
Sometimes, when you try any other medium except this, you can find that one working better compared to this. If you want, you can use that medium also as each person has their individual choice of choosing.
Artists who swear this conditioner can use a diehard Liquitex also. Hence, what is essential is to know how you can use a medium for improving the results and finding such a medium suitable for your applications correctly.
Should You Use Any Other Medium in Addition?
When it comes to supplies for beginners, it is recommended to use Floetrol and a Liquitex medium to deliver the best results. Many people use two or three different mediums in every pour, along with additives.
People on a budget can use this conditioner as it can cover all the basics by itself. However, according to the expert pourers, you will appreciate it while using the combination of Liquitex and this medium. While you will use it in the beginning, it functions similarly like this. Gradually, when you are becoming more experienced and starting to tweak your formulas, you may then want to add something extra to your mix.
While you are going to compare some different products, it is essential to know that mediums are available in a few different varieties that are as follows:
- Oil-based
- All-purpose
- Latex-based, i.e., ideal for acrylic pouring.
People prefer to use this medium because it allows them to do everything correctly, such as adjusting the perfect consistency in paint, not making any changes to the color or finishing characteristics, tweaking how the paint flows and moves for not causing any effect to age, etc. This medium’s excellent aging integrity feature makes a big difference between this and other additives available in the market.
If you want to complement your Acrylic Pours, you can take the help of a Cricut Machine for designing and printing beautiful crafts on all sorts of supports.
Why do you need to use the medium in acrylic pouring?
Here, we have given 11 reasons why you will use the medium for acrylic pouring:
- It is cheaper compared to other alternatives.
- This medium can make more giant cells even if you don’t use silicone.
- Don’t cause any effect on the paint quality, especially pigment.
- Ideal for improving flow, thinning paint, and doesn’t cause damage to the paint properties.
- It offers a smooth, spray-like application that is useful for enhancing paint adhesion.
- The medium is perfect as it can tolerate the negative impact of environmental factors like hot and cold temperatures or high humidity.
- It can prevent cracking, which is essential for painting. However, temperature and humidity can be the reasons for causing cracks. In this case, fixing cracks will be challenging, and this medium is perfect for it.
- You can use the medium easily and mix it with other additives.
- By increasing the drying time, it helps you so that you can generate more effects.
- It doesn’t cause damage to the paint’s aging.
All these features of this medium make it an incredible pouring medium.
How Much Amount Do You Need To Put Into Acrylic Paint For Pouring?
You can find a ready-to-use recipe on the Floetrol official website. Besides, when you experiment with other mediums, you can have another recipe that can function even better than the previous. We have given some different recipes that let you know how to mix acrylic paint with floetrol. Along with this, you can also get to know what can be used for acrylic pouring instead of it.
However, before using the medium, you must know that you have to follow some application conditions.
Humidity: Humidity needs to be under 50%. If the moisture crosses 50, then the required drying time will also double.
Temperature: It should be 10 to 32°C that is 50 to 90°F. The ideal temperature is 20°C ± five °C [68°F ± 9°F]). Make sure that you should not freeze this pouring medium.
Procedure to Use Floetrol:
Follow these methods to know how you can use this medium.
Recipe #1:
It is the process that manufacturers recommend us to use for acrylic pouring. You can use this method for every painting. To do this, follow the steps accurately.
- First, your task is to mix it with acrylic paint at a 1:2 ratio.
- Then, you need to stir it thoroughly.
- After that, your job is to put 2-4 drops of liquid silicone into it.
- Next, stir again thoroughly.
You should mix every color in separate cups. Otherwise, the paint is there for mixing them. If necessary, you can use this pouring medium for interior or exterior surfaces with the help of a brush, roller, or sprayer.
Recipe #2: Process to Mix Acrylic Paint with It:
- First, you have to mix it at a 1.5:1 ratio to acrylic paint.
- Then, your task is to add 0.5 part distilled water.
Recipe #3: Amount of This Medium You Need To Add To Acrylic Paint:
- You have to mix this medium, paint, and distilled water in a 2:1:1 ratio.
- Then, you have to put two to four drops of silicone.
Recipe #4: Process to Use It with Latex Paint:
Latex is known as water-based paint made from acrylic resin as acrylic paint. This acrylic paint is very durable and flexible as it generally comes with other chemicals in it. You need to remember one thing always that the medium is not a thinner designed for water-based paints.
This paint conditioner is designed for making latex paints act like oil-based paints. Therefore, whether you will use a spray gun designed for latex paints, it can perform more efficiently than previous and give you better results.
The pouring medium helps to avoid tip-clogging in the sprayer by thinning the paint. Besides, you don’t need to maintain your sprayer too much as well as it can last for more extended periods.
But there is a downside of spraying latex paint: these become dry very fast inside the Gun. As a result, you need to clean the inside part of the Gun, during which plenty of paints will lose.
We need to add it to the paint so that it can thin the paint, and thus the chance of drying the paint inside the Gun gets reduced. However, for people who don’t prefer to change the consistency of the paint like what this medium does, you should use water to dilute the latex paint rather than using this.
Tips on Using It:
While you will use the medium, you will find this advantageous during combining with latex paints. However, a few things are there that you need to know before buying the medium for your next painting effort.
- The medium won’t dry quickly and can make paint runny.
- You should check the compatibility always by mixing a tiny amount first.
- It can decrease the glossy appearance; therefore, you need to put a small amount of water into it to keep the shine.
- According to the users, it takes less time to cover the walls when used in a spray gun. That’s why it is vital to remember while you add the medium to the latex paint.
Make sure that you will use this only with latex paints, never use this pouring medium with oil-based paints.
Will it Help Adhere Paint Better?
No, it doesn’t cause any damage to the paint and its adhesion properties. The primary purpose of designing the medium is to condition the paint to allow users to apply the paint more easily. It doesn’t change the paint color also. The color of the medium may seem like white, and when you open the container, you will find it clear when dried.
How Much Medium Should You Use For Latex Paint?
No, there is no fixed amount to use this medium for Latex paint. However, if you want, you can add about a half-pint of
Floetrol to every gallon of flat or semi-gloss latex paint in the beginning. If you find the latex paint dragging & not rolling smoothly over surfaces, you can add more and continue it until you get the desired results.
Ensure that you are not adding more than a quart of it to each gallon of latex paint.
If you use the medium with an airless spray, then use 10% of this medium per liter of paint, whereas while using with HVLP& Cup Gun sprayer, you need to take 5-10% per liter of paint. Besides, while using for Faux finishing, 20-25% of floetrol per liter of paint is required, and with Brush or Roller, you need 7-10 % per liter of paint. Make sure that you are not using more than 15% of this medium.
The Process to Mix It with Latex Paint:
You have to mix the medium and latex paint at a ratio of 1:3.;
Now, your job is to check the consistency of the mixture and, if necessary, then put some extra into the mix.
Where to Buy Floetrol:
You can get this pouring medium available in quantities of 1 Quart (946 ml) and 1 Gallon (3.78 L). If you want, you can buy it from online sites like Amazon and at paint stores like Home Depot and Lowes. The Price of 1 Quart (946 ml) is $7.98, whereas 1 Gallon (3.78 L) is $27.96. If you think, you can buy a ready-to-use starter set along with all essential supplies.
When Do You Need to Use It?
People use this mainly when they paint trim, cabinets, doors, or fine furniture. Besides, you can use this indoors or outdoors with a few different application methods. Sometimes, the paint can drag or set too fast. Then, you cannot roll or brush the paint quickly, and it is when you will use the medium. It is vital to use a top-quality brush in this process.
When you apply paint with a spray applicator, it is floetrol that decreases the tip from clogging. Besides, it helps the piston from freezing up while you use a cup gun sprayer and assists in preserving the life of the sprayer. With the help of this, you can get make a more even spray pattern.
For people who never use this medium and are going to use it, it is advised to test with different amounts to see how it can affect the paint. A few times, it takes a little amount of time, whereas sometimes it consumes a lot. You should use 1/2 pint at first per gallon. You have to add when the paint is dragging or setting continuously too fast. Make sure that you should not use more than 1 quart per gallon. Using an excessive amount can cause losing the hiding power.
You should add the right amount of it and shake the paint after that in a paint shaker.
Restrictions:
As it comes in milky white color, therefore you can’t use it in clear varnishes.
Make sure that you must not use this for oil or alkyd-based paints like glycerophtalic paint. In this case, you have to use Owatrol Oil as it can deliver the same results.
9 Floetrol Substitutes:
Are you looking for any substitute? Here, we have given nine substitutes that you can use instead of using this pouring medium. These pouring mediums come with similar functions, such as improving flow, boosting workability, and preventing cracking. The substitutes are as follows:-
- Liquitex Pouring Medium
- Atelier Pouring Medium
- Golden GAC800 Pouring Medium
- Elmer’s Glue
- Pebeo Pouring Medium
- DECO ART Pouring Medium
- Sargent Art Pouring Medium
- U.S. Art Supply Pouring Medium
- Vallejo Pouring Medium
Advantages of Using It:
With the help of this pouring medium, you can make water-based paints easier to use in harsh environmental conditions. You need to know that environmental conditions can cause issues with water-based paints. For example, excessive hot temperature, low humidity can be the reasons for drying paints quickly.
However, it helps decrease water-based coatings performance problems while the water-borne paint is drying quickly due to the high temperature or concerns. The medium helps you in this case by extending the dry time of the paint.
What Are The Disadvantages of The Medium?
The medium can cause paint to flow with greater ease, because of which you should be a little bit more precise. It is not a common issue, but it is better to pre-plan before using the pouring medium. If you want, you can try this medium with your paints to ensure that it is not causing any undesired results, such as gritty finishes or color changes to the coating of your paint.
In addition, whether you put a little more to the paint, you can decrease the coverage of the paint that indicates you need to apply more for covering the product you are painting.
Additional Precautions for Using the Pouring Medium:
You can use this medium, but there are some limitations that you should consider before using it. Whether you find you paint a high gloss paint, your task is to mix the medium with water. It is because this pouring medium can decrease the gloss of your coating whether you mix too much directly with the coating. You should use a paint conditioner that is designed especially for water-based paints.
Acrylic Pouring with Floetrol:
You have to appreciate the acrylic pouring technique, as it has made a few truly fantastic pieces of art. Whether it is between the vibrant, complex color combinations and the dreamy or flowing patterns, the design of acrylic pouring is excellent.
It may seem that the pieces are complex and challenging, but these are simple for making in the comfort of your own home. The materials used here are also simple till you have Flood Floetrol® in the mix. Go through the steps of acrylic pouring properly to do it as it is given.
List of Materials:
- 1 Qt. of Floetrol
- Liquid silicone
- Bottles of acrylic paint ( choose colors as you prefer)
- A canvas of any size (use on multiple substrates)
- Clear plastic cups
- Stirring sticks
- Gloves
- Tarp or drop cloth for keeping the underlying surface clean
Mixing Guide:
You have to mix every paint color in separate cups so that the paints can not get mixed, and you can mix the correct quantity of floetrol with the paint.
- First, your job is to mix the medium with acrylic paint in a 1:2 ratio.
- Then, you need to stir the mix thoroughly.
- After that, put 2-4 drops of liquid silicone.
- Now, you have to stir the mix again thoroughly.
- Use after that a separate container for every color and then repeat steps 1-4 for each paint color.
- Next, your task is to pour your preferred colors into the painting layer by layer in one plastic cup.
- Then, you have to use the canvas on which you are going to paint. After that, flip the upper side of it down and keep it canvas-side down over the plastic cup. Place it against the flat canvas surface, and then you have to flip them to face down the cup and face up the surface.
- After you complete the step, you need to lift the cup filled with paint, and then it can flow outward.
- Now, your task is to change the direction and the result of the painting by tilting the surface. In this case, you can use a paintbrush to move colors or take the help of air sprayers to direct the paint.
- Now, keep it for 24 hours on an elevated surface so that air can allow for ventilating the bottom of the canvas.
Why Do You Not Use Water Instead of Floetrol?
Compared to using water, you will get more advantages while using floetrol. Using water, you can merely reduce or thin the paint that you will use. It is a conditioner that indicates it can increase the qualities of the water-based paint you are using. Besides, it is also helpful for simple applications. However, you need to know that only thinning the paint is not enough to achieve better performance out of your paint while applying.
You should know that this pouring medium allows you to spray latex paint easily. It helps to thin the paint because of which you don’t face any trouble while spraying latex Floetrol. Thus, you can get better-looking finishes while spraying, and it helps to decrease issues with airless tip clogs.
It can decrease issues with your paint if it gets dried too fast or you cannot apply it smoothly. Generally, it never changes the color of the paint, but for certainty, you need to use a tiny amount in a sample batch of paint so that the paint won’t become discolored after your work.
The ratio of Floetrol to paint is 2/3 to 1/3. Make sure that you need to add water for consistency. You must not use this with the primer as the quality primers always deliver a smooth coat anyway. If you don’t use a sprayer, then there is no need to thin the paint. You have to ensure that you have not mixed it with primer as it is not pretty good for you.
It comes in transparent white color and adjusts the paint quality. Besides, it doesn’t affect the color of your artwork.
Can You Use Too Much Floetrol?
Whether you use an excessive amount of this medium, it can result in runs, or you cannot hide the underlying wall or material with the paint. It is why you need to use a small amount of this medium at first and then slowly increase the amount you use. It becomes advantageous when you will work in extreme weather conditions with certain water-borne paints. Besides, it also helps decrease brush marks in your finish and allows you to spray more efficiently than before. But ensure that you are using this in proper directions while you add this to paint. Share your thoughts in the comment box.
Conclusion:
We hope you will be happy with your results with using it for latex paint and other purposes. It will take some time to know the right amount of paint for which you need to experiment a few times. People facing trouble getting the best performance of their expensive paint must try the Floetrol latex paint conditioner.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is it used for?
A latex paint additive allows the interior and exterior latex/acrylic paint flow and level, such as oil-based paints.
- Do you need it for acrylic pouring?
The perfect ratio of Floetrol to acrylic paint depends on experimentation and personal preferences. In the starting, you need to mix it and acrylic paint at a 1:1 ratio. Use a wooden stick to stir the mux slowly till a smooth consistency won’t come.
- Is it toxic?
It doesn’t have any odor as it is biodegradable, non-toxic, safe for septic systems, etc.
- Does Floetrol eliminate brush marks?
Yes, but for this, you need to pour this liquid paint conditioner into your paint as it helps decrease paint to build up on brushes, increasing the drying time and delivering a smooth finish. Thus, it can remove the brush marks from your work. You won’t find any brush marks, and your paint finish will be uniform, sleek and smooth.
- What differentiates both Floetrol and pouring medium?
Floetrol is made as a latex paint additive, and people use this for painting the exteriors of houses. When you mix it with acrylics, it allows the paint to move freely without causing any damage to the binding. It leaves a matte finish that is very attractive to a few artists.
