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
Added Floetrol to water based undercoat and gloss and can honestly say I was delighted with the open time and finish. It will now be an essential piece of kit for further water based jobs.
Rated 5 out of 5
Keith–
Since sending my initial enquiry I have managed to source some Floetrol (Brewer’s Decorator’s Centre in Parkstone, Poole) and have done some experiments using a number of different water-based finishings from different manufacturers and I am really extremely impressed by the results. Flow is much better and more similar to a traditional oil/solvent-based paint than I could have imagined possible and the paint remains open long enough to reduce roller and brush marks almost entirely.
This really is an amazing product and I am very pleased to have found your company and will be passing your details on to others as I can fully recommend your product.
So thanks again, and I’m now looking forward to trying some of your other products – if they work as well as Floetrol then I will be very pleased indeed.
Rated 5 out of 5
Renny Smith–
As a Decorator and Finisher for many years I have tried and tested many ‘new’ products that promise great things yet deliver less. VOC EU nonsense will prevail and oil based products are disappearing meaning that the ‘lesser’ water based products are in the ascendency. I have dabbled with water based finishes periodically and have been disappointed with every one. The finish is always suspect with brush marks and orange peeling from rollers etc. Some products dry too quickly to ‘lay off’ satisfactorily which is frustrating. I was advised by my local decorator’s merchant (Brewer) to use Floetrol – unbelievable!! So rarely has a product lived up to the hype and verbiage posted on it’s label but on this occasion I concur, and then some. I have never felt it necessary to write to any manufacturer to praise, complain or anything but on this occasion I feel it is the very least this product deserves.
Tom –
Verified Owner
Added Floetrol to water based undercoat and gloss and can honestly say I was delighted with the open time and finish. It will now be an essential piece of kit for further water based jobs.
Keith –
Since sending my initial enquiry I have managed to source some Floetrol (Brewer’s Decorator’s Centre in Parkstone, Poole) and have done some experiments using a number of different water-based finishings from different manufacturers and I am really extremely impressed by the results. Flow is much better and more similar to a traditional oil/solvent-based paint than I could have imagined possible and the paint remains open long enough to reduce roller and brush marks almost entirely.
This really is an amazing product and I am very pleased to have found your company and will be passing your details on to others as I can fully recommend your product.
So thanks again, and I’m now looking forward to trying some of your other products – if they work as well as Floetrol then I will be very pleased indeed.
Renny Smith –
As a Decorator and Finisher for many years I have tried and tested many ‘new’ products that promise great things yet deliver less. VOC EU nonsense will prevail and oil based products are disappearing meaning that the ‘lesser’ water based products are in the ascendency. I have dabbled with water based finishes periodically and have been disappointed with every one. The finish is always suspect with brush marks and orange peeling from rollers etc. Some products dry too quickly to ‘lay off’ satisfactorily which is frustrating. I was advised by my local decorator’s merchant (Brewer) to use Floetrol – unbelievable!! So rarely has a product lived up to the hype and verbiage posted on it’s label but on this occasion I concur, and then some. I have never felt it necessary to write to any manufacturer to praise, complain or anything but on this occasion I feel it is the very least this product deserves.
Decorum 28 –
Floetrol is the best paint conditioner in town!