How to Thin out Correction Fluid That Has Thickened Up

Liquid paper and other correction fluids once were water soluble, but because the water tended to smear the type they were covering, the manufacturers began using volatile organic compounds in the early 1980's. Some manufacturers offer a thinner for their product, but you have to be careful using it.

Steps

1. Check at an office supply store to see if the brand of correction fluid you use has an available thinner. Since each brand has its own formulation, you have to match manufacturers.
2. Open the bottle of correction fluid on a paper plate or other disposable product to protect the work surface you are on.
3. Open the bottle of thinner. Usually it comes with an eyedropper type utensil which you can use to add the thinner to the correction fluid bottle.
4. Place two or three drops in the correction fluid bottle, close it tightly, and shake it up. You can "stir" the contents with the applicator that comes with your correction fluid, but doing so will cause the solvent, or thinner, to evaporate quickly.
5. Test the fluid to see if it is thin enough to use. It only takes a tiny amount of thinner, so it is better to err on the side of too little, than to overthin the fluid. If it is too thick, use a little more thinner and shake it up again.
6. Keep the bottle closed except when you are actually using it; the solvents evaporate very quickly. It may be that inverting the bottle after each use will extend the life of the product, but this can be messy on the application brush.

Tips

• The first choice for thinning correction fluid is to buy a thinner from the manufacturer of the product you are using, and follow individual manufacturer's label instructions.
• If you cannot find a thinner for your brand, you may want to try an organic solvent on your own. Fingernail polish remover contains acetone, which is a quickdrying organic solvent compatible with many products on the market, but be aware the fumes are flammable and breathing them can be dangerous. Another common solvent is isopropyl alcohol, which you can find in a drugstore.
• If it is practical, try using correction ribbon, which doesn't dry out and is often much less messy. Correction pens also offer these same benefits.

Warnings

• Be aware than many chemicals in paints, cleaners, dust removing products, and even correction fluids have been misused. Be responsible in storing these materials, and keep on hand the minimal quantity practical.
• Try this only in a well ventilated area and avoid smoking or sparks while doing it.

Things You'll Need

• Manufacturer's correction fluid thinner, available at some office supply stores.
• Paper plate or something to protect the surface you are working on.