What is Floetrol?
Floetrol is a latex and acrylic paint additive used as a conditioner to help reduce build up on paint brushes, eliminate brush marks, reduces wear and tear on spray guns and it extends drying time. It’s made and distributed by Flood. Many professional painters use Floetrol as their “secret weapon”, but it’s so easy to use that you don’t need to be a professional to use the product. It can be added to interior or exterior paint before applying.
As oil based paints continue to be phased out, Floetrol gives latex paints a similar flow and self leveling like an oil based paints provide. Floetrol is not to be used as a paint thinner.
It’s best to use flat, eggshell or semi–gloss sheens. If you use Floetrol with a high-gloss sheen, it can minimize the shine. While it is milky in color it will not change the color of your paint.
When to use Floetrol
Floetrol is most commonly used when painting trim, cabinets, doors, or fine furniture, and it can be used indoors or outdoors with several different application methods. If you’re not able to roll or brush the paint easily, such as if it drags or sets too fast, this is the time to use Floetrol. It’s also important to use a high quality brush. Make sure to check out my article on Purdy and Wooster paint brushes.
If you’re applying paint with a spray applicator, Floetrol will reduce the tip from clogging and the piston from freezing up when using a cupgun sprayer, helping to preserve the life of the sprayer. It will also produce a more even spray pattern.
If you are new to using Floetrol, it’s a good idea to experiment with different amounts to see how it affects the paint. Sometimes it takes very little, and sometimes it takes a lot.
Start with 1/2 pint of Floetrol per gallon. More can be added if the paint is still dragging or setting too fast, but do not exceed more than 1 quart of Floetrol per gallon. If you add too much Floetrol, you’ll lose hiding power.
**TIP** Pour in the appropriate amount of Floetrol and have the paint store shake it in their paint shaker.
Floetrol Specifications
Application Temperature:
The optimal application temperature is between 50 F and 86 F.
Dry Time:
Floetrol will dry within 12 – 24 hours. When added to paint, the dry time may increase. No additional dry time is needed when used on bare metal. Additionally, high humidity may prolong re-coating and dry time.
Coverage
The optimal application temperature is between 50 F and 86 F.
Cleanup and Storage
Cleanup with soap and water.
Available Sizes:
What is Penetrol?
Penetrol is Floetrol’s sibling but it’s designed specifically for oil-based paints and primers. It’s not as common as Floetrol simply because oil based paints are being phased out. Penetrol reduces brush marks and helps level the paint. Oil based paints have high VOC’s and adding Penetrol may raise the VOC level.
Penetrol Specifications
Application Temperature:
The optimal application temperature is between 50 F and 86 F.
Dry Time:
Penetrol will dry within 12 – 24 hours. When added to paint, the dry time may increase. No additional dry time is needed when used on bare metal. Additionally, high humidity may prolong re-coating and dry time.
Coverage
The optimal application temperature is between 50 F and 86 F.
Available Sizes:
Recap
Floetrol is a latex paint additive used as a conditioner to help reduce build up on paint brushes, eliminate brush marks and extend drying time. If you’re new to using these products, it’s a good idea to experiment with different amounts so you know how it affects the paint. These paint conditioners are not to be used as paint thinners.
