House Painter Forum

Professional Painters => Professional Painters and associated Trades Forum => Topic started by: ToolTime on March 07, 2008, 07:44:29 PM

Title: Flotrol
Post by: ToolTime on March 07, 2008, 07:44:29 PM
Anyone have much experience using it. Does it help cut down on brush marks on trim and doors using latex semi?
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: Lynjowoman on March 07, 2008, 08:06:17 PM
Flotrol will help but Xim Latex extender is much better product. IMO. If Flotrol sits in the bottle very long after it is open it will start to clump & has to be strained.

Lynjo
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: RTQ on March 07, 2008, 09:25:08 PM
Floetrol will help your paint lay down a bit better but I agree with Lynjo that XIM makes a better product. XIM may be a little harder to find but is worth it IMO. Also, I would say that using a high quality brush will have a huge impact on the finish. 
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: rmichael on March 07, 2008, 09:27:32 PM
I second that motion Lyn & RTQ  ..  :)

The XIM is very thin ( like water ) and requires a smaller amount (to volume) than Floetrol. I have also noticed much more (dry) paint film shrinkage with Floetrol.  JMHO.. 
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: the PAINTSMITH on March 08, 2008, 09:07:40 AM
I've used a lot of Floetrol, lots of Penetrol, but never the XIM. I just can't seem to find it around here.

I tried some Porter wet edge extender a couple of years ago. Based on that experience (wound up throwing out a whole gallon of enamel), I can't recomend it...
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: brushworks on March 08, 2008, 10:35:40 AM
When does paint really need any additives?

Do y'all use them with discretion or on a regular basis?

I don't experience any problems getting a smooth, porcelain finish when using straight Pro Classic, Impervo or Muralo products. Unless it's 95 degrees, and today it's not!

Michael
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: BrushJockey on March 08, 2008, 11:27:33 AM
Because I brush and not spray, XIM is like grease for the brush. Faster , smoother, and because it thins it a bit I have less tendency to sag ( counter intuitive, but true)
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: TomTom on March 08, 2008, 12:54:55 PM
On cans of paint it sometimes suggests using water to thin the paint if necessary, which I have done. What difference is there between using water and using Flotrol or the XIM product?
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: Jared on March 08, 2008, 01:16:42 PM
Flotrol & XIM generally don't negatively affect coverage (hide) like water does.  Also, XIM gives the added benefit of causing the paint film to level & flow better.

Flotrol is a paint conditioner - so it allows for better viscosity of the coating during application, and it also helps extend shelf life of leftover paint.  XIM, on the other hand, is a flow & levelling agent - so its primary function is to allow the paint film to level out once it is applied to the substrate.

Personally, I use XIM in nearly every waterborne coating I apply.  There are a few exceptions (like Aura) where IMO it is not necessary to achieve exceptional results...  this is where the judgement call comes in.  If you know you can achieve a nice, smooth, level paint film with a particular product, then it shouldn't be necessary to use an additive.
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: tallpaul on March 08, 2008, 04:55:16 PM
I never used Flotrol or Penetrol until about a year and a half ago. If I ever needed to thin my Impervo I would use thinner and thought that Penetrol would probably just be another product that I really didn't need. Once I tried it though I was hooked. I brush a LOT of Impervo and I could definately tell the difference. It really helps it to lay down and increases the workability (especially in whites). I use it everytime now. As for flotrol I haven't really been able to tell much of a difference but I haven't used it much. I have noticed that it does clump like others have mentioned. I keep a bottle in my truck but it doesn't see the light of day much.
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: Lynjowoman on March 08, 2008, 08:26:49 PM
tallpaul
Careful with the penetrol in white. It may cause it to yellow faster. If you use to much it may turn on you as fast as 30 days.   :) Xim extender is non yellowing & serves the same purpose.

Lynjo
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: rmichael on March 08, 2008, 08:39:48 PM
Because I brush and not spray, XIM is like grease for the brush. Faster , smoother, and because it thins it a bit I have less tendency to sag ( counter intuitive, but true)

IME that is very true Brush, Thick unworkable paint causes sags and brush strokes... over thinned paint lacks fullness and causes runs...
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: ToolTime on March 08, 2008, 11:30:56 PM
XIM seems to be the winner by most here. Where are places most likely to carry it?

Thanks
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: Lynjowoman on March 08, 2008, 11:35:45 PM
We usually purchase it at our local ICI store. It should be available at most paint stores. If not ask if they can get for you. If there is enough demand they should start stocking it. I have not seen it in the big box stores yet.

Lynjo
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: ToolTime on March 09, 2008, 12:10:59 AM
Thanks Lynjowoman, I'll check my local Ben Moore and Sherwin next week. I have a repaint job where they do not want to pay for me to spray their doors but I still want to give them the best latex brush job I can. 
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: Lynjowoman on March 09, 2008, 12:18:02 AM
I'm not sure that BM or SW will have it. Tommyboy is a member here & is a XIM rep. I hope he will chime in here & let you know where to find it. Most of the paint stores are limited to what they can carry & the  amount they can carry. I do know our ICI store has it so it might be better to check there if you have a local ICI store near by. Hope this helps you out. It is a great product IMO.

Lynjo
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: DecorativeWalls on March 09, 2008, 05:32:05 PM
Lynjo is so correct about flotrol clumping up and getting globby slimy yuckies and Jared gave a great explanation on Xim;  however I still use flotrol (but carefully and sparingly;  XIM is far better for the final smoothness IMHO.  I get my XIM at SW.  The dang ICI store carries the primer but doesn't keep the x-tender and gee - vise versa on the x-tender and primer from SW;   go figure ::)
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: MacPainter on March 10, 2008, 12:35:26 AM
ive used flotrol but only when it was needed, havent heard of XIM. dont use water, you risk thinning it too much. really, i dont think you need an additive every job. it really depends what paint you use, like Duration Home. sure its a nice 7 mil claimed coating, but its hell to work with unless you 'flo it a lil. aside from that sometimes latex in the cold gets a lil like molasses. not to say i disagree with ya'll, i just find myself usually using the same products and most of them dont need anything added.
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: Tommy Boy on March 10, 2008, 08:42:40 AM
Latex X-Tender is available at all SW stores, most ICI stores and other professional paint stores. Thanks for the recommendations from the painters here. Latex X-tender has become a lot more popular as the new low voc waterbased paints have been introduced. If anyone would like to try it, email me and I will send you a couple of 2 oz samples.

PS- We also make a little known additive called X-Tender which is pretty hard to find in the stores.  Most of the stores would have to order it in for you.  It is an open time and flow enhancing additive for SOLVENT based paints. Painters who have used it swear by it. Great for getting an extremely smooth finish with trim.
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: rmichael on March 10, 2008, 06:15:59 PM
PS- We also make a little known additive called X-Tender which is pretty hard to find in the stores.  Most of the stores would have to order it in for you.  It is an open time and flow enhancing additive for SOLVENT based paints. Painters who have used it swear by it. Great for getting an extremely smooth finish with trim.

Our local ICI stocks it, by the insistence of the manager, good stuff and non-yellowing to boot...

(Tommy, you can send my commission payment through pay pal...  ;)  ;D )
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: DecorativeWalls on March 10, 2008, 06:43:05 PM
Tommy Boy, while we are on the subject matter of XIM products.  I use the waterbase Gon20 quite a bit and I love this product as well, but I have to have it ordered everytime also.
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: Tommy Boy on March 11, 2008, 06:52:08 PM
Thanks Decorative Walls.  Gon2O is a great waterbased prep product and degreaser.  Unfortunately we can't get many stores (distributors) to stock it. Since most of our customers are owned by paint companies, it is tough to get shelf space. For some reason painters in Canada like it where we sell a disproportinate amount of it.
We also make a range of other products that aren't in wide distribution.  Part of my job is to keep trying to get the message out through marketing and advertising.  We also make a solvent based prep product called GON. It is extremely strong stuff and will liquefy residual adhesive and destroy grease. ( I wiped off 2 year old duck tape residue on my boat with no effort).
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: paintbox on March 27, 2008, 07:34:43 AM
can u get it in the uk
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: MiTm on March 27, 2008, 04:46:54 PM
I second that motion Lyn & RTQ  ..  :)

The XIM is very thin ( like water ) and requires a smaller amount (to volume) than Floetrol. I have also noticed much more (dry) paint film shrinkage with Floetrol.  JMHO.. 


"Dry paint film shrinkage"... can you elaborate on this? Is it mainly with enamels?

mark
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: the PAINTSMITH on March 27, 2008, 05:34:31 PM

"Dry paint film shrinkage"... can you elaborate on this? Is it mainly with enamels?

mark

Something I see a lot of on homeowner DIY. Mostly involves oils, where paint is laid on too thick or the painting surface and the airtemp/humidity are diverse (hot air, cold surface) The surface mil skins over long before the mils underneath, creating a "lizard skin" appearance. 
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: rmichael on March 27, 2008, 08:54:56 PM
Eric makes a good point about misapplying alkyds, but I was referring to latex trim paint that has been "enhanced" with a large amount of Floetrol. The paint looks full on application ( when wet ) but when it dries it seems to shrink down to a thin and sometimes streaky appearance. JME ...  ;)
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: jvt321 on April 03, 2008, 11:57:30 AM
Well, I'm close to being done with the tax season (my winter job). Now it's back to painting. Haven't been here since last fall.
Anyway, I remember one job last year. Even though I was using a quality BM,
it was close to 100 degrees out. Floetrol was a life saver. It's important to use the prpoer amount, that make all the difference.
jvt31
jim
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: jvt321 on April 03, 2008, 12:01:12 PM
That would be "proper" amount.
Title: Re: Flotrol
Post by: talalabd1 on July 05, 2015, 11:29:21 PM
For the persons that have tried flotrol (http://"http://www.eflotrol.com/"), can you please describe your experience?
Thanks  ;)