thinning aluminium paint

amandstu

I have an old tin of aluminium paint (for the flat roof) but it has gone "pasty" -not hard .

Could I thin it with something so as to be able to brush it on the roof?


I can see it might be quite serviceable as it smears very well (annoyingly) over my fingers but I think it should be a little thinner to really use properly.

Would it be acetone ? Paint thinners?

jack of all

I'd guess white spirit but I'll ask the obvious- have you read the directions on the tin? If nothing else the directions for cleaning the brush will be a good indicator! If so pop a couple of clean pebbles or large steel nuts into the can, add your white spirit and secure the lid before giving it a really good shake. The pebbles/ nuts will agitate the contents and ensure you get as much of the solids in suspension aqs possible; but don't ovedo the white spirit- its always easier to add a little more to suit rather than take it away!

amandstu

thanks

the tin is so old that there are no instructions to read (if there ever were).
Actually it must be 20-30 years old and I am surprised it is still in a usable condition ( the tin is not even airtight as it has corroded through in the odd spot) .
Yes of course I should try the obvious suspects first but I doubt it could be water based.

michael999999

Firstly stop smearing it on your fingers, its aluminium paint.

Secondly dump the gallon and buy a new one. Do you really want to apply something that may never cure on to your flat roof?

jack of all

Yep, scrap my advice-I'd no idea the tin was so old!