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Floetrol

Water-based paint conditioner to eliminate brush and roller marks

from 34 reviews
Floetrol
  • Use in all water-based paints
  • Improves the flow and maintains the wet edge - paint without effort
  • Improves the finish - maintains the inherent quality and characteristics of the paint
  • Suitable for interior and exterior use and great for special effects
  • Eases application of painting in difficult conditions
  • Great for acrylic paint pouring

Floetrol is a water-based paint conditioner that helps improve paint flow and workability of paint. Floetrol makes interior and exterior emulsion and acrylic paints (including coloured wood stains) work more like oil-based paints. Not only that but, it also allows paint to adjust to more difficult conditions such as hot, cold and windy environments.

Arguably the most important attribute of Floetrol, it helps to eliminate brush and roller marks. It does this by improving the flow of the paint enabling for a more professional finish. The improved paint flow also allows you to make progress quicker.

Unlike damaging paint thinners or water, Floetrol does all this without affecting the inherent qualities of the paint or colour. When used in a paint sprayer, Floetrol allows up to 20% reduction in pressure without affecting the spray pattern or performance and helps to prevent clogging and wear and tear on tips.

Floetrol can also be used as a medium for acrylic paint pouring art. Its composition helps to create the highly sought after strong, well-formed cells most artists are looking for without compromising the colour of the paint. We have a Q&A blog post about using Floetrol in your art work which can be found here.

floetrol-effects-on-paint

Ideal Uses for Floetrol

  • Exterior painting in hot, cold or windy weather
  • Using a paint spray gun – Floetrol helps to extend it’s life by reducing wear and tear
  • Helping paint to flow with no brush and roller marks
  • Reducing roller pressure and preventing paint build up at the ends of the roller
  • Providing a spray-like finish when rolling

Restrictions

Floetrol is milky white in colour and as such cannot be used in clear varnishes.

Do not add Floetrol to oil or alkyd based paints including glycerophtalic paint, for these paints use Owatrol Oil to achieve the same results.

Always read the Floetrol Product Information before using and follow the instructions carefully.

Surface Preparation

Prepare surface as per instructions on your paint/finish can. As part of this please ensure that you have removed all loose and flaking material. You should also treat any organic growth (mould etc.) with a fungicidal solution or a mix of 1 part water to 1 part chlorine bleach (allow the bleach solution to sit for 15 minutes), rinse thoroughly and allow to dry.

Application

Stir your paint thoroughly and begin to apply in the normal manner. If paint the pulls, sets too fast, does not level or flow properly, add Floetrol until the paint spreads smoothly, easily and provides sufficient ‘wet-edge’. Allow the brush, roller or sprayer to be your guide.

To add Floetrol first shake the container well. Then add the Floetrol following the guidelines below and stir the mixture thoroughly. Now apply your paint and Floetrol mixture to your surface in the normal manner.

Using Floetrol with a Brush or Roller

Add approximately 7-10% per litre of paint. If the paint is thick, or in extreme temperatures, more Floetrol may gradually be added, up to 15% per litre.

Using Floetrol with an HVLP & Cup Gun sprayer

Add 5-10% per litre of paint. The amount depends on the consistency and flow properties of the paint. If the paint seems to thicken, add a tablespoon of water per litre of paint to thin it.

Using Floetrol with an Airless sprayer

Add up to 10% per litre of paint.

Using Floetrol for Faux finishing

Add 20-25% per litre of paint. Do not add too much conditioner for vertical surfaces as the technique may sag or vanish.

Clean Up

Clean all tools and equipment with soap and water.

Things to Remember

  • Cover everything you do not wish to paint
  • Always mix a small amount with Floetrol first to test compatibility
  • the amount of Floetrol added will not change the colour of matt or semi-gloss emulsion or acrylic paints. Floetrol may reduce the sheen in gloss paints.
  • Do not use in clear varnishes
  • Do not use Floetrol in oil-based paints – instead use Owatrol Oil for the same effects

34 reviews for Floetrol

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  1. Avatar

    Michelle Heather Verified Owner

    I was impressed by the speed of service offered and the fact one can buy a sample to try with free postage. I used it with Laura Ashley eggshell paint and I got better results with it than without. Would certainly consider buying it in the future.

  2. Avatar

    Carol Grocott Verified Owner

    Bought two sample jars to try with my acrylic art. The results were great, so I bought a larger bottle (with a discount because of buying the sample pots). The delivery for both was amazing – within a couple of days of ordering. Also, the packages were left in the designated place each time, as I was out both times. Full marks.

  3. Avatar

    PlumKat Verified Owner

    I use Floetrol in my art work, to help the paint flow. My latest canvasses are huge! 150x100cms, so I’ll no doubt be ordering more Floetrol very soon!

  4. Avatar

    Barbara

    Excellent customer service and speed of delivery…..I actually ordered 2 of the wrong one, but it worked just as well. I needed the ‘latex’ one for my acrylic pouring, so will keep looking for that.

  5. Avatar

    Lee Carroll Verified Owner

    I use Floetrol in my artwork. It is an excellent acrylic pouring medium, I’ve tried them all and this is the best. Whilst it’s not cheap it certainly works out a lot less expensive than any other ‘artist’ brand available in the UK. If you think it’s over-priced then stop comparing it to stuff only sold in the USA, compared to Liquitex it’s a bargain!
    I took advantage of the free delivery and stocked up, the customer service team at Owatrol were brilliant.

    • Owatrol Team

      Owatrol Team Verified Owner

      Hi Lee,

      Thank you so much for your 5 star rating and review of Floetrol.
      If you have any artwork you would like to share with us, please send some pictures and a little bit about how you create your pieces to sales@owatroluk.com – we would love to do a case study on you and your work (full credit will be given to you for use of images etc).

      Thanks again.

      All the best,
      The Owatrol Team

  6. Avatar

    Suzy Bricknell-Sproston Verified Owner

    I was really please to have found this at a reasonable price as I have been so pleased with the results I have had from using this in my latest project. Have since re-ordered it and both deliveries were really quick. Very happy.

  7. Avatar

    Jan Welsman

    I tried a sample size of floetrol from you, and found it worked. This was a great way to experiment with art pieces. I was really please to have found this at a reasonable price and after I had used it I was able to purchase 1ltr size at a discount and no postage to pay.
    Both deliveries were really quick. Very happy.

  8. Avatar

    rob fuller

    I’d give 5 stars for the product as it does exactly what it is supposed to do but it loses 2 stars for the EXTORTIONATE cost of this product, for what it is.

    This is available for $7 in the USA – $7!!!

    Why pouring medium of any kind is so expensive over here in the UK is beyond me and it’s not like there are any better alternatives. Liquitex is just as bad!

    • Owatrol Team

      Owatrol Team Verified Owner

      Hi Rob,

      Thank you for your review of Floetrol.
      We were happy to read that you loved our product, despite feeling it was expensive.

      Owatrol Easy Flow (which is the American name for Owatrol Floetrol) on the Owatrol USA website is sold for $15.70 per litre which is approximately £11.75 before shipping fees.

      Owatrol USA couldn’t afford to sell Easy Flow / Floetrol for $7 per liter as they would be losing money on each sale.

      In the USA there is another product with a similar name called Flood Floetrol which is cheaper than Owatrol Floetrol – perhaps this is where the confusion lies regarding the price.

      Thankyou again for taking the time to highlight these queries and thank you for your honest review of Floetrol.

      All the best,
      The Owatrol Team

  9. Avatar

    ElleBea Verified Owner

    I am happy to review Floetrol, having just completed a large diy project.

    Many of us have been directed to water-based paints as gloss paints, due to recent formula changes, do now not stay white. Water-based paints dry extremely quickly and Floetrol helps give a longer application time and superior finish.

    It has been said that the added cost of Floetrol is annoying but Floetrol is an addition to the paint, so one has more volume and the cost is therefore negligible whilst giving a far better finish than without it.

  10. Avatar

    ElleBea Verified Owner

    I am pleased to review Owatrol and can recommend it.

    The lack of decent ‘stay-white’ gloss paints has redirected many of us to water-based paints and as these dry extremely quickly it can be difficult to obtain a good finish. Owatrol helps maintain a good paint flow and finish.

    It has been said that the extra cost of Owatrol is annoying but when the cost of the Owatrol is factored into producing more volume of paint, the cost is negligible.

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Cogs Background
Coverage: Coverage will vary
Tools: Brush, Roller, Airless, HVLP or Cup Gun Sprayer
Suitable for: Exterior & Interior use
Clean up: Soap & water
Drying Time: As per paint manufacturer’s instructions
Additive for: Water-based coatings – Emulsion, Acrylic, Vinyls
Suitable Coatings: Paint, woodstains, varnishes (not clear)

Technical Data

Read the full technical information for Floetrol on our corporate website.