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ACGI Blog: Is it a scam when a painting contractor mixes water in with the paint

Is it considered a scam when a paint contractor mixes water in with the paint? Yes and No. Depending upon the POV and paradigm of the person making the assessment; it could be considered a scam when the contractor is using it to make the paint stretch further than the chemical composition will allow it to do so... However, on the other hand the answer is also a hard No it is not. It all depends on the purpose in which the contractor is using the water in the paint for the substrates he is painting. The product Floetrol essentially achieves the same thing as water just with some added benefits. Flood Floetrol is a popular water-based paint additive that improves the performance of latex and acrylic paints, stains, and coatings by reducing brush/roller marks, enhancing flow, and extending drying time. It acts as a conditioner to make acrylics behave like oil-based paints, allowing for smoother, higher-quality finishes, especially in hot or humid conditions. 
Amazon.com +3 Key Uses and Benefits Painting: Minimizes brush marks, roller stippling, and lap marks while enhancing coverage. Spraying:  Reduces tip clogging and piston freeze-up, enabling better spray patterns with lower pressure. Art: Widely used as a pouring medium in acrylic paint pouring to create cells and smooth, flowing designs. Performance: Resists mildew growth and maintains paint quality without thinning, allowing for a longer wet edge. 
The Home Depot +6 Application Details Mixing: Generally added directly to paint; for artistic pouring, typical ratios range from 1:1 to 1:4 (paint to Floetrol). Compatibility: Suitable for all acrylic, water-based paints, and stains. Cleanup: Easily cleaned with soap and water. Limitations: While it improves flow, it may leave acrylic paints softer after curing, and it is formulated for latex/water-based, not oil-based, paints.  Floetrol is ideal for achieving a professional, self-leveling finish on walls, trim, and furniture, or for creating intricate designs in fluid art.  If the contractor is consistently using water in his/her paint to make it stretch further than the chemical properties of the paint will allow then it would be considered a scam. However, the contractor is sabotaging his own paint job by doing this with All of the paint he/she is using on the project. When the homeowner or painting contractor purchases the paint it is put into a shaker to combine all of the non volatile components with the volatile components of paint. The chemical makeup of Latex paint is as follows: Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint is a water-based acrylic latex paint comprising water (40-55%), acrylic resins (10-20% binder), titanium dioxide (10-25% pigment for hiding), and fillers like calcium carbonate. It often includes ethylene glycol for freeze-thaw stability, amorphous silica, and zinc oxide (especially in exterior formulas for mildew resistance). 
What's In Products +5 Key Chemical Components & Functions: Water (
): The primary carrier solvent, comprising roughly 
 of the formula. Acrylic Resin/Binder: Provides adhesion, durability, and flexibility. Titanium Dioxide (
): A white pigment providing essential hiding power and color opacity. Extender Pigments: Examples include Calcium Carbonate (Limestone), Silica (amorphous or crystalline), and Kaolin clay, which improve thickness and durability. Glycols (e.g., Ethylene Glycol): Used to prevent freezing during storage and manage drying time. Zinc Oxide (
): Frequently added to exterior formulations to inhibit mildew growth. 
What's In Products +7 These components are engineered for a "paint and primer in one" formula, enhancing coverage and scrub resistance.

Written by ACGI Homes