How To Bring Dry Paints Back To Life

Life is busy and distractions are abundant. It’s easy to take a break from painting and lose track of time, letting your paints dry. We’ve been there! Paints are produced to dry when exposed to air. Dry paint is a bummer, but it’s no reason to put your paintbrush down. We do also have custom paint by numbers kits

Through trial and error, we have successfully rejuvenated countless thick or dry acrylic paints. Being water-soluble, thick or dry acrylics are easily softened with warm water or Flow Improver/aid. Here’s how.

Water It Down

As a water-soluble paint, acrylic is easily broken down or dissolved by water. This helps to revive thick or dry acrylic paint. But, it’s not enough – using warm water is key! Like adding sugar to tea, an increase in temperature results in an increase in solubility without diluting the concentration. So, a little warm water mixes much better with malnourished paints – without thinning them out! Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1

Add only a drop or two of warm water to moisten your paints on the spot.

Step 2

Stir the mixture thoroughly with a small toothpick.

A Friendly Reminder

After adding a couple drops of water, close that paint pod!

(Tip: all good things come to those who wait! If you have the patience, and the time, we recommend waiting overnight for the best results.)

Go With The Flow

Flow Improver/Flow Aid is a great way to rescue thick or dry acrylic paint. But, use with caution! Adding it directly to your paints can cause thinning. Instead, follow these steps:

Step 1

Add a few drops of Flow Improver to your water.

Step 2

Dip your brush into this solution as you paint.

Similar to olive oil and water, adding Flow Improver to water causes the paint to glide off your brush. But, be careful! Flow Improver increases the volume of paint used on your canvas. Don’t use too much paint, especially for numbers with a large surface area!

There’s Only So Much You Can Do

There’s only so much you can do. Sometimes, dry paints reach the point of no return. If the above methods don’t work, don’t panic! Stay calm and read on, because we have the solution for you. If Paint By Numbers Online provided your paint pods, don’t hesitate to contact us! We will happily send out replacements for unusable paints.

Email us at support@paintbynumbersonline.com with your order number and paint problem, and we’ll get back to you in no time!