The greatest popularity in the field of construction and finishing works is currently acquired by water-based paints. Their advantages are undeniable: the paint is quick-drying, does not delay stains and does not peel off. In addition, it is absolutely not poisonous and when carrying out painting work, no additional measures are necessary to protect both the working and the people around. It is very easy to apply. Nevertheless, there are many nuances in the performance of finishing work and the use of materials on a water-dispersible basis. For example, is it necessary to dilute a water-based paint?
The answer to this question and many others related to painting can be found in this article.
To work with paint you will need: gloves, water, a bucket, color and a construction mixer. But initially you need to choose this material.
The choice of water-based paints and properties
Aqueous emulsion ink is a mixture of water and polymer particles. Polymers provide an even layer of composition and reliably cover the surface. Today, there are a very large number of paint manufacturers. Different grades of this material are characterized by different composition. So the amount of impurities can range from 10 to 15 elements. Thanks to various additives, water-based paint can have such properties as:
- anticorrosion;
- frost resistance;
- increased viscosity;
- has the properties of an antiseptic.
Structure
Any paint based on water dispersible materials consists of:
- 50% or more foaming agent;
- 37% of fillers;
- 7% - plasticizers;
- 6% of various impurities.
The versatility of water-based materials can not but rejoice, because for the external and internal work you can use the same brand. This is what served as one of the factors for the widespread use of water dispersion paints. In addition to their use for all weather conditions and humidity, it is worth noting that they are suitable for completely different types of surfaces. The thing is that such material consists of pigments and binders.
The main types
There are several types of water-based paints:
- Based on polyvinyl acetate. They include PVA glue. The cost of this type of paint is the lowest. The color palette is limited and stability is low.
- Paints based on water glass and a special pigment (silicate). They are used for outdoor and indoor use. The downside is their low moisture resistance. Silicate paints should be used with extreme caution, since they contain alkalis, which can cause irritation of the skin and mucous membranes. Work with such materials is carried out in protective suits.
- Paints based on silicone resins. They are called silicone. Silicone resin in the paint composition has a certain share, another part of the composition is water. Silicone materials are considered the most commonly used.
- Additional strength and elasticity can please paints, which include acrylic resins. The indicators of resistance to wear and moisture in this type of material are the highest. Their cost will also be higher than that of the types of paints given above. Acrylic materials or latex are the most popular of water dispersible. The painted surface can be washed with latex paint, moreover, acrylic will protect the surface and mechanical damage. An interesting fact confirming the high quality of latex-based paints is the fact that two layers of this material can hide a crack of 1 mm thickness.
How to dilute water-based paint?
If you leave the can of paint for a while, for example, if it is the residue after painting something, then it will thicken over time. This is due to a decrease in moisture in its composition, due to which elasticity and the ability to evenly coat surfaces are lost. How and with what can a water-based paint be diluted?
You can dilute it with water, since it is a component of any such material. Due to the evaporation of water, the paint loses its original properties. But this can easily be fixed by adding ordinary drinking water to the jar and stirring it well using a construction mixer.
You can breed in a jar or a clean bucket. Pour paint and water gradually, constantly stirring, until you get the right consistency. If you need to give a certain color, then use color. In a small container with water-based paint, a certain amount of a coloring matter of a suitable color is diluted. After that, the contents are gradually poured into a bucket with already diluted material until it becomes the desired shade.
How to apply?
Paint is applied with a roller or a paint brush. Usually it is applied in two or even three layers. It is important to apply each of the subsequent layers only after the previous one dries.
Experts advise painting surfaces with water-dispersion paints at an air temperature of at least +5 ° C.
Whether it is possible to dilute water-based paint with water, and why yes, we have already considered. But an equally important question remained about how to do this in order to preserve its properties. Let's talk about this further.
How to dilute a water-based paint with water?
Dilute the paint and choose the right consistency you need correctly, otherwise the result of staining will disappoint. The fact is that any surface has roughness and roughness. If the paint is diluted in the wrong proportions, then it will not be able to hide all the flaws of the surfaces. So, a too liquid composition of this material will not fulfill its main purpose - it will not hide flaws, and a too dense composition will simply use up more of it than would be required. These principles also work for paints with different compositions and for primers. Correctly diluted paint will cast gloss, ensure the safety of the surface and give the object of application the desired color.
Incorrectly diluted material threatens surface adhesion. The primer will suffer and will have to be removed. This is completely unnecessary labor, time and money. Therefore, paint should always be diluted in the correct proportions.
A viscometer is a device for measuring the viscosity of formulations. Builders often use it in the preparation of colorful solutions. The device is useful in everyday life, if frequent painting of various surfaces is required. Using it will significantly save time and budget. The device measures the viscosity based on the time the composition flows into the container, through a specific calibration hole.
Bringing the paint to the desired consistency by adding water to it, you need to fill the viscometer. Pre-close the hole. After that, turning on the stopwatch, clear the hole and allow the paint to drain continuously. As soon as the flow rate decreases, turn off the stopwatch. An indicator of viscosity will be the number of seconds of active flow of paint.
On cans with paint its optimum viscosity is indicated. If the measured value is too high, then a thickener is added to the container or left for a while until the material dries to the desired viscosity. If, on the contrary, the indicator is too low, then you need to add water to the paint.
Viscosity can be measured by the folk method. To do this, put a stick with a length of about 20 cm in a container with paint and stir it well. After taking out and see how quickly the composition drains. Having experience, it is easy enough to determine what consistency of paint has already been achieved.
Painters with experience know how to dilute water-based paint, if it is thick. Use only distilled water. Its temperature should be room temperature, approximately 22-24 ° C. If other solvents are added, the paint may just begin to curl.
Proportions
In what proportions to dilute water-based paint? For paint dilution, the proportions depend on where the composition and methods of application are used. Equally important is the basis of the water-based material. When breeding, you need to use the recommendations of the manufacturers indicated on the bank.
Dilution Guidelines
- 10% of the volume of paint can be added to it to reduce viscosity.
- Paint technologies require different proportions for different layers. If you apply acrylic material, then the first layer is enough to dilute 5% of the total volume. Subsequent layers are diluted less. So, the second coating is 3%, and the third should not be bred at all.
- If you use a hand tool, the viscosity should be higher. In this case, before thinking about how to dilute a water-based paint for a spray gun, you must definitely read its composition and recommendations for this material from the manufacturer. Viscosity may be lower, which justifies the consumption of materials.
Conclusion
You need to add water to the paint in portions, constantly mixing the contents and checking its viscosity. Another important point that experts pay special attention to is the absence of lumps and clots in the composition. This is especially important for spray gun painting. For large rooms, experts recommend using a spray gun or spray gun. The use of these devices will significantly reduce paint consumption and ensure its smooth application.