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.
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.
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
Absolutely love this product to allow my acrylic paint to flow well without leaving brush marks. Customer service from Owatrol Direct was second to none – extremely helpful and very competitively priced. Wouldn’t hesitate to order from here again.
Owatrol Team–Verified Owner
Hi there Carole,
Thank you so much for your kind words & 5 star rating.
We are very happy you had a great experience using Floetrol and loved the end result.
If you have any before and after shots of your project (or even just after shots) we would love to make a case study of your experience. Feel free to drop us an email and we will get right on it.
Thanks again Carole.
All the very best,
The Owatrol Team
Rated 5 out of 5
Jason–Verified Owner
I’m DIY not pro but have used Dulux Trade Satinwood for years and love it. Tried the water based Quick Dry version in a busy room that I couldn’t keep pets out of all day and struggled to get the finish I’m used to with the solvent based. It goes past workable too quickly for this amateur and I couldn’t lay off in time or touch in bits I was not happy with when I stood back. Got a sample of this and will be buying more. It has taken the frustration out of using the same paint and given the finish I desire. It adds a small cost to each room decorated but the low odour and two coats in a day is something I want every time now!
Rated 5 out of 5
Mark W–Verified Owner
Recently decided to stop using oil based gloss and satin due to drying times, smell and yellowing.
Started using Leyland quick dry undercoat and satin and straight away found problems with open time being too short and brush marks which if I tried to correct caused the paint to ball up.
Investigated on the internet and found the answer- Floetrol.
Happy days added 10% to undercoat and satin and they are now behaving more like oil based paints.
The Leyland paint for the money has proved to be excellent as well and that includes their emulsion!
I will be using Floetrol all the time from now on.Very Happy
Owatrol Team–Verified Owner
Hi there Mark,
Thank you so much for your kind words & 5 star rating.
We are very happy you had a great experience using our products and loved the end result.
If you have any before and after shots of your project (or even just after shots) we would love to make a case study of your experience. Feel free to drop us an email and we will get right on it.
Thanks again Mark.
All the very best,
The Owatrol Team
Rated 4 out of 5
gwen Kitching–Verified Owner
I’m an artist not a painter and decorator. I use floetrol to produce abstract acrylic pours as decorative art. This product helps the paint to flow and move and works well. it dries to a matt finish on canvas. Pity it’s so expensive over here, fellow artists in the US pay $5.00 per quart!!!!
Owatrol Team–Verified Owner
Hi Gwen,
Thank you very much for your recent review on Floetrol.
The Owatrol US site sells their Easy Flow (same product different name) for $15.70 for a quart.
Sadly for us in the UK, we have taxes and much stricter laws, so we cannot produce the exact same product here as they do in the US. The US can use different ingredients in their product which brings down their overall costs.
We hope you understand why our price is what it is and hope you will still consider using our products in the future.
All the very best,
The Owatrol Team
Rated 5 out of 5
Tim C–Verified Owner
The perfect additative for airbrushing emulsion pasints, makes it flow and spray perfectly!
Rated 5 out of 5
BabyFace_Inc.–
Some GOOD STUFF!!!! As a novice and my very first time painting, the finished result looked very professional indeed. No brush or roller marks I mean 0. I’m on my way to get a second carton!!!
Rated 5 out of 5
Michaela–Verified Owner
Used today, with Valspar satin finish water based paint, on wood panelling and stair rails. After adding Floetrol the paint had a lovely consistency, application very smooth and the result was a very ‘high end finish’. Would thoroughly recommend this product.
Rated 5 out of 5
Tenorman–Verified Owner
Used recently with Leyland Trade satin and a good quality Wooster brush including on some flat doors. Very pleased with the whole experience and finished result. Will continue to use with water based paints.
Rated 5 out of 5
Patrick Charlton–Verified Owner
Used this product to try and get a good finish on a water based paint. Did the job well. Paint had time to flatten and leave a finish similar to a solvent paint. Will definitely use again.
Rated 5 out of 5
Raine–Verified Owner
Love this product makes using water based paints so much more easier too use and also makes the paint last longer and go further. This product is also a big Help when using a spray gun as the waiter based paint no longer clogs in the sprayer. You can also used it with gloss paints again in a spray fantastic. Thank you for this amazing product Floetrol!
Carole Bligh –
Verified Owner
Absolutely love this product to allow my acrylic paint to flow well without leaving brush marks. Customer service from Owatrol Direct was second to none – extremely helpful and very competitively priced. Wouldn’t hesitate to order from here again.
Owatrol Team –
Verified Owner
Hi there Carole,
Thank you so much for your kind words & 5 star rating.
We are very happy you had a great experience using Floetrol and loved the end result.
If you have any before and after shots of your project (or even just after shots) we would love to make a case study of your experience. Feel free to drop us an email and we will get right on it.
Thanks again Carole.
All the very best,
The Owatrol Team
Jason –
Verified Owner
I’m DIY not pro but have used Dulux Trade Satinwood for years and love it. Tried the water based Quick Dry version in a busy room that I couldn’t keep pets out of all day and struggled to get the finish I’m used to with the solvent based. It goes past workable too quickly for this amateur and I couldn’t lay off in time or touch in bits I was not happy with when I stood back. Got a sample of this and will be buying more. It has taken the frustration out of using the same paint and given the finish I desire. It adds a small cost to each room decorated but the low odour and two coats in a day is something I want every time now!
Mark W –
Verified Owner
Recently decided to stop using oil based gloss and satin due to drying times, smell and yellowing.
Started using Leyland quick dry undercoat and satin and straight away found problems with open time being too short and brush marks which if I tried to correct caused the paint to ball up.
Investigated on the internet and found the answer- Floetrol.
Happy days added 10% to undercoat and satin and they are now behaving more like oil based paints.
The Leyland paint for the money has proved to be excellent as well and that includes their emulsion!
I will be using Floetrol all the time from now on.Very Happy
Owatrol Team –
Verified Owner
Hi there Mark,
Thank you so much for your kind words & 5 star rating.
We are very happy you had a great experience using our products and loved the end result.
If you have any before and after shots of your project (or even just after shots) we would love to make a case study of your experience. Feel free to drop us an email and we will get right on it.
Thanks again Mark.
All the very best,
The Owatrol Team
gwen Kitching –
Verified Owner
I’m an artist not a painter and decorator. I use floetrol to produce abstract acrylic pours as decorative art. This product helps the paint to flow and move and works well. it dries to a matt finish on canvas. Pity it’s so expensive over here, fellow artists in the US pay $5.00 per quart!!!!
Owatrol Team –
Verified Owner
Hi Gwen,
Thank you very much for your recent review on Floetrol.
The Owatrol US site sells their Easy Flow (same product different name) for $15.70 for a quart.
Sadly for us in the UK, we have taxes and much stricter laws, so we cannot produce the exact same product here as they do in the US. The US can use different ingredients in their product which brings down their overall costs.
We hope you understand why our price is what it is and hope you will still consider using our products in the future.
All the very best,
The Owatrol Team
Tim C –
Verified Owner
The perfect additative for airbrushing emulsion pasints, makes it flow and spray perfectly!
BabyFace_Inc. –
Some GOOD STUFF!!!! As a novice and my very first time painting, the finished result looked very professional indeed. No brush or roller marks I mean 0. I’m on my way to get a second carton!!!
Michaela –
Verified Owner
Used today, with Valspar satin finish water based paint, on wood panelling and stair rails. After adding Floetrol the paint had a lovely consistency, application very smooth and the result was a very ‘high end finish’. Would thoroughly recommend this product.
Tenorman –
Verified Owner
Used recently with Leyland Trade satin and a good quality Wooster brush including on some flat doors. Very pleased with the whole experience and finished result. Will continue to use with water based paints.
Patrick Charlton –
Verified Owner
Used this product to try and get a good finish on a water based paint. Did the job well. Paint had time to flatten and leave a finish similar to a solvent paint. Will definitely use again.
Raine –
Verified Owner
Love this product makes using water based paints so much more easier too use and also makes the paint last longer and go further. This product is also a big Help when using a spray gun as the waiter based paint no longer clogs in the sprayer. You can also used it with gloss paints again in a spray fantastic. Thank you for this amazing product Floetrol!