Painting is a meticulous task that involves several preparatory steps, including selecting the right paint, additives or thinners, employing the most effective techniques, and executing the process correctly.
When it comes to determining the superiority between Floetrol and water for HVLP (High Volume Low Pressure) applications, the answer isn’t straightforward it primarily hinges on the specific requirements of the project.
While either option suffices for room painting, opting for Floetrol becomes crucial for outdoor painting endeavors to minimize unwanted drips and splatters and maintain a smooth fluidity. For those seeking guidance in making the most suitable choice, this article serves as a valuable resource.
What Is Floetrol?
The floetrol is a general-purpose paint conditioner used on any surface as a primer, wash coat, or final coat. It is a versatile water-based paint conditioner.
It is also called latex paint additive that helps to make interior and exterior acrylic paint flow. It can level the material like oil-based paints. It can save the unfavorable effects of weather on paints and primers.
What Is Water?
Water is a colorless medium that helps to keep nice fluid workability. It doesn’t cause any harm either to your paint. It is also used to thin the paint for proper flow in your HVLP spray gun.
Floetrol VS Water HVLP
The main difference between floetrol and water is that floetrol isn’t a colorless medium and it helps to keep your work nice, fluid, & workable while water is a colorless medium and helps to keep nice fluid workability but doesn’t produce so shiny surface.
Floetrol and Water are not types of sprayers; rather, they are additives that can be added to paint to improve its flow and help prevent drips and runs when using a sprayer.
| Floetrol | Water |
|---|---|
| Synthetic paint conditioner that improves flow and leveling | Natural paint thinning and cleaning agent |
| Can be added to any water-based paint | Can be added to any water-based paint |
| Helps to prevent drips and runs | Helps to thin paint and reduce viscosity |
| Can be used with airless, HVLP, and compressed air sprayers | Can be used with airless, HVLP, and compressed air sprayers |
| Can improve the flow and atomization of the paint | Can improve the flow and atomization of the paint |
| May extend the drying time of the paint | May reduce the drying time of the paint |
| More expensive than water | Less expensive than Floetrol |
Both floetrol and water are mediums for diluting the paint for getting the right consistency and flow. They are harmless but do differently.
#1. Difference in Nature
The floetrol is a chemical used to dilute paint so that it may be used easily while water is a simple liquid for this purpose.
#2. Difference in Color Transparency
When you paint a surface, you need shining results. The paint diluted with floetrol, provides more transparency and smoothness, while the paint diluted using water doesn’t give good transparency.
#3. Difference in Paint Layer Effects
The floetrol mixed paint produces more durable and splendid layers of paint with soothing effects than water-mixed paint.
#4. Difference in Drying Time
When you use to paint with floetrol, it takes some more time to dry, while painting with water takes less time to dry. That’s why the productions are different.
#5. Difference in Binding Agents
The floetrol keeps the paint strong with good binders and the paint sticks to the surface when sprayed.
But water breaks or dilutes the binding agents of the paint. It reduces the capacity of sticking the paint to the surface.
#6. Difference in Glossy Color
The weather conditions affect the water mixed paint and it looks washed out and the colors fade. But on the other hand, the floetrol mixed paint gives real look.
#7. Difference in Durability
The floetrol paint is more durable than water paint. As it is chemical, so it gives long life to your paint. It has the capacity to fix the paint on the surface for a longer period of time.
#8. Difference in Cells
The floetrol seems to offer better cells than the water which gives fewer cells.
#9. Difference in Paint Clogging
The floetrol mixed paint clogs less and doesn’t waste time or money. But water mixed with paint can clog soon and can damage the spray gun. It can also produce more bubbles on the surface than floetrol.
#10. Difference in Price
The floetrol is more costly than water but much less expensive than all other additives of equal rank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you find Floetrol better than water?
Yes, of course. The floetrol provides some extra benefits over water. The water can just thin the paint while Floetrol is a type of conditioner that can enhance the quality of paint.
Does the Floetrol produce cells?
Yes, the floetrol has a medium regularity and tends to produce cells. It can cause enough binders in the paint that don’t allow it to crack.
What is the right substitute for Floetrol?
Elmer’s Glue is most likely to be the cheapest Floetrol substitute others including water.
Why do professional painters use Floetrol?
Professional painters often use Floetrol as a secret weapon. The floetrol gives their latex paint a good flow and level of oil-based paints. You can’t use it as paint thinner but you can use it for flat, eggshell, and semi-gloss sheens.
Conclusion
If you want to paint things for your own satisfaction or want to give them as gifts, it won’t be a matter. But if you want to sell them, I would suggest using the trendy types of medium. Floetrol is the far best for large-scale use. It is much less expensive than other additives and perfect for crafters and artists.