Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Does adding paint thinner to oil paint help it to level?

I am painting an exterior door and have gotten brush strokes showing.Does adding paint thinner to oil paint help it to level?
it will work and it does help, but you can only add a very small amount of thinner or you could weaken the paint. they make a product called Penetrol that works great with oilbased paints. you can put as much as 15 % in your paint without ruining it. it slows the drying time down, makes it flow better, and gives you a more even coat. you'll have fewer brush marks. also, conditions you're painting under have a lot to do with getting a smooth finsh. if it's a beautiful 75 degree day with low humidity and a little sun you'll be ok. if it's colder the paint wants to drag and run. warmer and it dries too fast. most pros practice all their lives trying to eliminate brush marks. sometimes you can and sometimes you can't. good luckDoes adding paint thinner to oil paint help it to level?
It can...





The paint has several solvents in it. As the solvents evaporate the paint becomes thicker till eventually the solvents all evaporate and leave behind a solid. Try with mineral spirits as that is a fairly slow solvent. You can also help your self out but not working in the direct sunlight (which speeds up evaporation) and by working on a cooler day (which will slow down evaporation).





If you aren't doing really large sections, you can also go back over the painted sections with a paint roller to help smooth it all out.
Using a fine bristled brush will also help with the brush marks. Go to a paint store and ask them for the best they have for oil paint.
Yes, because it thins it but watch out for runs. You should paint it on a flat surface if you can.

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