how do I liquify dried latex paint?

Answer 1

In my experience, once it's dry, it's dry and there is no going back. Even if you did add a chemical to make it a liquid again, chances are you would thin the paint or make it close to useless.

Answer 2

hiya snowbird,

i assume this is dried latex paint in the bucket and you want to restore it to a paintable consistency?

unfortunately, latex paints are considered "reactive" coatings and dries (cures) by a process called coalescence. the evaporation of solvent (water, glycols and petroleum solvents are all present in most latex paints) is only the start of this process - once coalescence occurs, a chemical change has altered the characteristics of the components of latex paint and the "dried" latex will never be able to be liquified back to a usable paint product...

non-reactive coatings are those paint-type products that can be re-liquified into a workable solution simply by adding dissolving the dried product into the evaporative solvent - (shellac is an example of a non-reactive coating where dried shellac can be turned back into a workable finish simply by dissolving the dried product in denatured alcohol)...

sorry, i wish there were a better solution but it looks like you're gonna have to buy some new product...good luck

ric

Answer 3

If you need more of the same paint, take the can to a paint store that mixes paint to custom colors. They will use the dried paint in the can as a sample, then make a new can of paint the same color. The same brand of paint might help the match, but it's not essential. If you take them the paint can, you can also match the "sheen". Home Depot does custom matching, but they're not the only ones. It's not expensive at all.

Answer 4

too late once the water has evaporated you are better to just toss it and buy new paint..