Diluting interior paint, first coat, both coats or don't dilute

Irish_peppa

Hi Guys, Just curious last time I had my local painter in I noticed he was adding water into the paint skuttle for both paint coats, (matt interior wall paint). Is this normal practice to dilute down paint in both first and second coat as it didnt mention it on the paint can info? I actually had the paint made up by the shop Fleetwood to a specific shade so in my thinking diluting the paint with water would slightly lighten the color. I did notice some slight patchiness in the hallway in the light but he said it was the paint (which i supplied so no comeback there)
The house had been painted many times before and surface was fine. I did ask him what the purpose was and he said "its normal it just makes it easier to work with and most manufacturers expect the paint to be diluted between 10 to 15% on all coats, sure it would be impossible to roll it on straight from the can paint as its too thick from the bucket. Is that true? And if so then why is it not mentioned on the label and why is it sold too thick for use
Reason I ask is I will be getting front room painted soon and dont want to be putting on watered down paint if its not needed ie: a handy way to speed the job up but your left with a bad paint job.

the_pen_turner

find yourself a proper painter.

Irish_peppa

the_pen_turner wrote: »

find yourself a proper painter.

Emm the funny thing is he did a really neat job excellent free hand cutting along borders flawless. Patched up perfectly big tears of removed drywall where dado rail had been tec-7 down. And he had great reviews. So paint should never be watered down at all at all? (apart from a mist coat of course on new plaster)

Black_Knight

I've heard of diluting paint when painting on plaster, but not over years of existing paint.

the_pen_turner

Irish_peppa wrote: »

Emm the funny thing is he did a really neat job excellent free hand cutting along borders flawless. Patched up perfectly big tears of removed drywall where dado rail had been tec-7 down. And he had great reviews. So paint should never be watered down at all at all? (apart from a mist coat of course on new plaster)

generally no. only for a mist coat or if you were spraying it.

maybe im missing something, maybe he is right. im sure a few of the pro painters here can confirm

pinkfloyd34

Im doing my hall and landing using dulux matt, im finding it very thick and actually have to water it down for the roller, i think the temperature is a lot to do with it, warmer it is the more thicker and stickier the paint, a bit of water and the paint goes on a lot easier, im no professional but thats my own opinion

NomadicGray

I'd always mix in some amount of water

Calahonda52

Irish_peppa wrote: »

Hi Guys, Just curious last time I had two pints in my local painter in I noticed he barman was adding water into the paint skuttle for both paint coats, (matt interior wall paint)pints.
Is this normal practice to dilute down b.