Check out my new video “How to Thin Water Borne Paint for Spraying” where I explain how to measure viscosity using a #4 Ford Cup. Also, I’ve added the Ford cup plus some inexpensive 2.0mm gravity feed guns to my store at Here I explain some of the how I mix latex paint for spraying and loading the gun. By the way, I don’t usually thin latex paint as you will see me doing in this video.
Music is Big Hat, licensed from Footage Firm
Mixing Paint & Filling A Spray Gun, Small Shop Spray Painting Part V
You thinned it using the Extender, then you thinned it again. What was it that you used the second time? Water?
Yes I did use water. This can had set on the shelf a long time and I thought it needed to be more viscose for the gun to atomize it. One of the first things Sherwin Williams taught me as an automotive factory rep was to never play chemists . . . but I do it anyway.
Thanks for your question. Ron
I’m trying to prime raw MDF with a latex primer then two coats of eggshell latex. I used your recipe but still have “blobs” coming out of the spray gun. How far can I take it using water to thin out? I’m afraid that I’ll take it beyond the point of no return. I use lacquer a fair bit, but this is totally different. Can I get latex to atomize like lacquer?
I’m using a Lemmer T55 Turbine sprayer with a 2.0 mm nozzle. Also Sherwin Williams primer and paint.
With just extender in the SW primer, I am able to spray it with my gravity feed 2.0mm gun. MDF has always been a problem for me. On the milled surfaces, I applied a gesso mixture I make using a brushable and very sandable mixture of joint compound and primer. Did you watch my video on preporation? I don’t think you will ever get latex to spray like lacquer without over thining it and I would suspect that really screws with the chenistry.
Hello, What brand and model spray gun do you recommend for spraying furniture I need to buy one thank you for the great video.
I find the one from Amazon that is listed on my web site adaquate for a small DIY shop. I certainly wouldn’t use it in a production setting. Thanks for the question.
Great video! Can you tell me what the mesh size is on the paper strainer/filter you buy from Harbor Fright? Do you thin the paint down with just regular tape water? Thanks again for all your help really appreciate all the videos.
A great video on paint prep for latex so thanks for that. Also liked the backing music – can you tell me whose music it was please? Cheers.
Thanks for the comment. The music is from a royalty free CD I purchased from Footage Firm. It’s called Big Hat.
I have 1.4mm hvpl air sprayer ! how much water will i need to thinn out one quart semi-gloss latex .?, what size nozzle are you using in your gun.? and what is another alternative for that externder thinner you was using?
For latex I am using the 2mm air cap with matching fluid nozzle and needle. As for thinning your latex, the only other alternative to extender is water. The only fear I would have is over thinning. I sprayed my closet doors (red) and now about two years later, they are showing some blotching spots. I think that the only thing I added was extender. Paints are designed to dry in very precise ways in order to have a lasting finish. Too much water can screw that up.
Hi Ron, I was once told by a painter & decorator ( industrial ) that adding thinners to gloss paint will take the GLOSS shine out of the finish making the finish dull,
Is he right in what he says? Regards from across the pond, thanks.
I seen that most of the graffiti people use a hand held pump up garden sprayer and some of their stuff looks pretty good
I have spent months studying spray painting and found a fantastic resource at Magic Painter Method (google it if you’re interested)
I’ve painted cars for years using standard car paint products and paints. Question – Can I use my car paint gun to spray house paints???
hi what did you use to thin out the paint
Very good video. I may just start painting some of stuff around the shop.Harry Irvine http://www.californiaac.com/spotcooling.php
Ron you are way too cool. Thank you