When using a paint sprayer on furniture, it’s important to know how to thin paint for a sprayer in order to get the best results. A paint sprayer can be a game-changer when it comes to painting furniture but you’ll need to make adjustments beforehand to make sure it works properly.

In this guide, we’ll go over the steps for thinning paint so you can use your sprayer with confidence and get a smooth, professional finish.

photo of thinning paint with text overlay

Painting furniture can be a tedious task, but using a paint sprayer can make it easier and give you better results. However, if you don’t know how to thin your paint for the sprayer, you may encounter some common issues.

Your sprayer may not spray the paint at all, or it may come out too slowly, resulting in an uneven finish. Your paint will also have a lot of bumpy texture in it if you don’t thin it properly.

Thinning your paint is especially important when using an HVLP (high volume, low pressure) paint sprayer. If you’re using an airless paint sprayer, you may not need to thin your paint. So we’ll walk you through the steps of thinning your paint for a sprayer and provide some helpful tips along the way.

Table of Contents

Supplies Used for Thinning Paint for Sprayer

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Water-Based or Oil-Based Paint
Paint Thinner (Water or Mineral Spirits)
Viscosity Cup
Timer
Measuring Cup
Stir Stick
Paint Filter
Paint Sprayer
Scrap Wood or Cardboard for testing spray consistency

Choose the Right Paint Thinner

First and foremost, make sure you’re using the right paint thinner for your specific type of paint for furniture. Using any type of thinner will not do the trick. Using an incorrect thinner can not only prevent your paint sprayer from working properly, but it can also ruin the quality of your paint.

So, how do you know which paint thinner to use? It’s actually pretty simple. If you’re using water-based paint, you’ll want to use water as your paint thinner. On the other hand, if you’re using oil-based paint, you’ll need to use a mineral spirit or paint thinner.

photo of mineral spirit and water to use for thinning paint

You can also check the back of your paint container for specific instructions on what type of paint thinner is recommended.

This is important to follow because again, using the wrong thinner can result in poorly thinned paint, causing issues with your sprayer and resulting in an uneven finish. So don’t skip this step!

Determine Thinning Ratio

So you’ve got your paint and thinner ready, now it’s time to determine the thinning ratio for your sprayer. If you have a viscosity cup included with your HVLP paint sprayer for furniture, you can use that as a guide for getting the perfect consistency.

photo of using viscosity cup to thin paint

Shoot for a run out time of 30-40 seconds, meaning the paint should run out of the cup in that time frame. I have found this to be the best consistency for a smooth, even finish.

Don’t have a viscosity cup? You can start by adding 10% thinner to your paint and mixing it well. Then, test the spray on a piece of cardboard or scrap wood. If you like how it sprays, then you’re good to go!

But if not, I personally like to add another 5% more thinner. So for example, if you mixed 16 ounces of paint, add another 1.6 ounces of water. Just remember to not exceed a 20% thinner to paint ratio.

Check out our guides on how to thin paint for a Wagner sprayer and how to thin paint for Wagner FLEXiO Sprayer especially if you’re using Wagner models.

Mixing the Paint

Now it’s time to mix the paint! Grab your paint filter and place it on top of the sprayer’s container. Filter the paint through the filter to remove any debris or dried paint. Trust us, this will save you from clogging your sprayer and wasting time cleaning it out.

photo of mixing and thinning paint using paint filter

With the filter in place, add your thinning agent into the paint. This could be water or mineral spirits depending on what type of paint you’re using. Be sure to mix well with a stir stick. You want to make sure the paint and thinner are fully incorporated for a smooth consistency.

See, mixing the paint wasn’t so hard after all!

Testing the Consistency

Once you’ve mixed your paint, it’s time to assemble your sprayer. Before you start painting, it’s important to test out the sprayer so you can make any necessary adjustments. Spray the paint onto a piece of cardboard or scrap wood to see how it comes out.

photo of testing out the paint before spraying onto furniture

You can control the power, paint flow, and tip of the sprayer so the paint is coming out just how you want it. And again, don’t do this directly on your project, until you’re confident in the spray pattern. It’s better to take the extra time now than have to fix mistakes later on.

Adjust the thinning ratio if needed, and once you’re satisfied with the spray, you’re ready to start painting!

Adjustments and Final Tips

Alright, let’s talk about some adjustments and final tips for successful paint thinning and application!

First off, it’s important to not over-thin your paint. If you find that the paint is coming out too quickly when you spray, and you have your paint flow settings on low, then that means the paint is too thin. In this case, simply add more paint to your mixture to thicken it back up.

If the paint is not coming out at all when you spray, then it’s possible that your paint is too thick. You can add some more thinner to the mixture and test it out to see if that solves the issue. It may take some trial and error to find the perfect consistency, but don’t worry, you’ll get there!

Read our Wagner Paint Sprayer troubleshooting blog post for more tips and information on troubleshooting your paint sprayer.

And don’t forget to clean your sprayer thoroughly after use for its longer lifespan and smoother operation for future projects. Here’s how to clean a paint sprayer and what to use to clean paint sprayer to guide you through the cleaning process.

Remember, practice makes perfect when it comes to using a paint sprayer, and don’t be afraid to make adjustments along the way. With the right thinning ratio and proper application techniques, you’ll definitely get that smooth, professional finish on your furniture.