[PNW Painter]

I've had great results with XIM. A co-worked mentioned that Floetrol yellows over time. Although I haven't personally witnessed this, I've stayed away from it anyways.


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[ReNt A PaInTeR]

I've had great results with XIM. A co-worked mentioned that Floetrol yellows over time. Although I haven't personally witnessed this, I've stayed away from it anyways.

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I didn't like the Floetrol. I still have half of the bottle I bought years ago.

 

[Carl]

I think it's psychological. If you think putting some extender in your paint will do something more than a splash of water will do, then perhaps it will. I have experimented and found that Floetrol and XIM do the same thing water will do. But I am a pessimist and I think most companies are trying to scam me, so perhaps I never gave those extenders a chance. I did notice though that adding Floetrol to the paint caused an issue with coverage. I was using a yellowish color that barely covered in two coats and when I put the Floetrol in, it really needed a third coat, so I do wonder if all extenders affect coverage or just the cheap ones? When I used the Benjamin Moore Aura extender and the extender made by Aqua Finishing Solutions, I found those to perform a lot better, but perhaps since I was paying more, I had prepared my brain for a better experience and so therefore, I had one.

 

[lilpaintchic]

flotrol

 

[PaintedbyStephen]

Has XIM done better for you over the same lengths of time? I've heard good things about it overall, but it seems like Floetrol just has huge name recognition. Given my product selection, I still sell way more BM (even though I'm pretty sure I make less on it) just because of the great compatibility. I wonder what led Floetrol to take off so big- or maybe it's just a regional thinig.

If you read the descriptions of each extender, XIM slightly increases sheens of paint, while Floetrol slightly dulls them. For me, I use Floetrol or BM’s extender in wall and ceiling paint, and XIM in cabinet and trim pack applications. XIM in Advance for trim brushes on like glass, and even XIM in Breakthrough for cabinet door touchups rolls out like glass.

However, XIM in wall paint like Regal Matte or Scuff-X Matte (especially after the second coat), makes the finish look almost satin. I don’t like that, as I prefer a true matte/classic eggshell finish on wall paint. Therefore, I switched to Floetrol or BM Extender for walls and ceiling.

 

[PaintedbyStephen]

I think it's psychological. If you think putting some extender in your paint will do something more than a splash of water will do, then perhaps it will. I have experimented and found that Floetrol and XIM do the same thing water will do. But I am a pessimist and I think most companies are trying to scam me, so perhaps I never gave those extenders a chance. I did notice though that adding Floetrol to the paint caused an issue with coverage. I was using a yellowish color that barely covered in two coats and when I put the Floetrol in, it really needed a third coat, so I do wonder if all extenders affect coverage or just the cheap ones? When I used the Benjamin Moore Aura extender and the extender made by Aqua Finishing Solutions, I found those to perform a lot better, but perhaps since I was paying more, I had prepared my brain for a better experience and so therefore, I had one.

Floetrol (when the right amount is applied), increases paint coverage per gallon. Obviously water just thins paint to make it easier to app, resulting in a thinner and shittier coat of paint. Water doesn’t increase open time, it just makes the paint thinner and fall off of your brush faster.

 

[PaintedbyStephen]

I think it's psychological. If you think putting some extender in your paint will do something more than a splash of water will do, then perhaps it will. I have experimented and found that Floetrol and XIM do the same thing water will do. But I am a pessimist and I think most companies are trying to scam me, so perhaps I never gave those extenders a chance. I did notice though that adding Floetrol to the paint caused an issue with coverage. I was using a yellowish color that barely covered in two coats and when I put the Floetrol in, it really needed a third coat, so I do wonder if all extenders affect coverage or just the cheap ones? When I used the Benjamin Moore Aura extender and the extender made by Aqua Finishing Solutions, I found those to perform a lot better, but perhaps since I was paying more, I had prepared my brain for a better experience and so therefore, I had one.

Yellow and white always need a third coat, regardless of extender…

 

[RH]

Stephen - you’ve been around PT enough to know that checking the dates of any posts you are quoting in your responses is good practice. The subject of this thread (unlike many necro threads) is not a dated one, just be aware that your response to specific member‘s posts will likely not be seen by them.