Looking for Paint Pouring Mediums? Here are some suggestions

Last updated on July 5th, 2024 at 11:49 am

I’ve been paint pouring for a few years now. I realized that not all paint pouring mediums are the same. This is also true when it comes to paints as well.

So I thought I’d share a few paint pouring mediums I’ve tried lately.

what is a paint pouring medium?

A paint pouring medium is an additive. You add it to your paint to make it flow smoother or more freely. There are different types of finishes too. Some may have a gloss finish while others are more matte. You can use these with acrylic paints. Some may be specifically for one type of paint while some may be used with acrylic or latex paint.

Paint pour medium can be sold in small, medium, or large bottles and 1 gallon-size containers. Some may even be sold in large tubs or buckets. This may vary by brand.

You can also make your own

If your into DIY I’ve seen a few ways you can make your own paint pouring medium. You’ll have to do some searching for a recipe that works for you and your budget. I’ve seen some made with white glue or other easy-to-find ingredients.

let’s start with lower cost paint pouring medium

Being that there are different types of pouring mediums as well as price points let’s start with some of the cheaper alternatives first.

Depending on your budget and your overall paint pouring project ideas/usage starting off with a small container or lower-priced medium might work.

Drying time may vary by brand as well. some will set in a few hours or within 24 while others may request you to let it dry for up to a week.

Low-cost paint pouring mediums

Flood Floetrol

This by far is one of the most popular products for paint pouring. I’ve used it for the last few years. It keeps the paint smooth and flows well.

I will note that there are a few cons with Floetrol. it can clump when it’s not used over time. It can also mute bright colors since it dries matte.

A bottle runs between $7 to 8 USD. Depending on the retailer you may find it cheaper. it is also sold in 1-gallon containers. Complete drying time is a few hours but I usually give it at least 24 hours before moving a project.

Glue

As I mentioned above you can do a search and find out how to use glue as an ingredient for paint pouring medium. If you only need a small amount you can pick up some Elmer’s glue at your local dollar store.

Mondo Llama paint pouring medium

This is sold in a small jar and is around $8 USD. I purchased one recently but haven’t had a chance to test it out yet. But it would be great for a small paint pour project.

Higher priced paint pouring medium

Some paint pour mediums are a bit more expensive because more professional artistic brands may sell them. They may also be fade resistant or offer some other quality to them. They may also have a wider variety of finishes as well.

artecho paint pouring medium

I purchased this a few weeks back on a whim just out of curiosity. I wanted to try an actual paint pouring medium to see how they compared to Floetrol.

I was a bit surprised by this paint pouring medium. It was a bit more liquid than I expected. It has the appearance of poured milk. It blended with the paints well and did offer basic matte coverage.

This is sold in a larger size bottle. it didn’t separate my paints or cause any real issues when pouring.

The Artecho paint pouring medium retails for $20 USD. Price may vary. I will note that it does have a slight scent to it so make sure you use this in a well-ventilated area. Drying time is a few hours but for complete drying, you may want to wait a day or two before handling your project.

Liquitex paint pouring medium

Liquitex is a very popular artist brand. They sell a variety of products including paint pouring mediums. I happened to purchase the Gloss paint pouring medium a few weeks back. This is a bit thicker in its consistency. It’s not very runny but it reminds me a bit of watered-down glue.

I didn’t have any real issue with paints binding or separating when I originally used it. I will note however that if you are using a thicker-bodied paint you may need to add just a splash or cap full of water. This also has a bit of a smell to it so you will want to make sure you are in a well-ventilated area.

This does have a gloss finish so depending on your paints you may notice the sheen more than in the photo I shared.

Liquitex isn’t cheap. This product runs anywhere from under $15 USD to over $100 USD. Since this is an artistic brand you pay the price. The 16 fl oz bottle (when I bought it on sale from Micheal’s) was around $20 USD. Price will vary by retailer.

The Liquitex pouring medium has the longest drying time. I checked on the canvases after a few hours and they were still wet. For the full dry time, I’d say you may need up to a week or weeks depending on your environment.

Which one is right for you?

I would say your best bet would be to try a few products until you find one that you like. You may also want to take into consideration your project type, budget, and material costs. You can always buy the smallest bottle available for your project so you don’t overbuy.