Choosing the right paint medium or additive can transform a project — from preserving bright highlights in watercolor to creating dramatic cells in resin pours or disposing of leftover latex paint responsibly. These recommendations are based on extensive research, hands‑on testing, and expert and consumer feedback to help you pick the right product for your work and budget.
How we tested and chose these products
What we measured:
- Compatibility: Does the product work with the paint systems it's marketed for (watercolor, acrylic, latex, epoxy, etc.)?
- Performance: Drying/curing time, ease of use, color payoff (for pigments), stability and shelf life.
- Handling & finish: How the product affects texture, gloss, and workability.
- Removal & cleanup: For masking fluids and disposal aids we tested how cleanly they remove or solidify.
- Safety & labeling: VOCs, non‑toxicity, and clarity of instructions.
Sources:
- Hands‑on tests: practical use in watercolor masking, epoxy resin tinting, acrylic pouring, and paint disposal workflows.
- Expert interviews and artist forum consensus on real‑world pros and cons.
- Consumer reviews for durability, repeatability, and common failure modes.
How that informed rankings:
- Products that delivered consistent, predictable results in multiple real‑world scenarios rose to the top. Brand reputation and clear, accurate labeling were tie‑breakers when performance was comparable.
Waste Away Paint Hardener
A small, inexpensive hardening agent that turns up to 2/3 gallon of latex or acrylic paint into a solid for easy curbside disposal. Fast acting (15–20 minutes) and simple to use — a practical, mess‑saving tool for DIYers and pros.
Homax Waste Away Paint Hardener — Best Budget Pick
Homax Waste Away is a straightforward, economical solution for dealing with leftover latex and acrylic paint. Add the powder to liquid paint, stir, and within 15–20 minutes the mixture gels and hardens, making curbside disposal possible without the need for newspapers, kitty litter, or long drying times.
Standout features & analysis:
- Works reliably with latex and acrylic paints and stains; excellent for spill cleanup and small cans.
- Fast action — saves time compared with air‑drying or painting out.
- Easy to use: mix and stir; container shows expected capacity (hardens up to ~2/3 gallon per package).
Limitations:
- Not intended for oil‑based paints. You should follow local disposal rules even after hardening.
- Small container size means you may need multiple packs for workshop use.
Overall, this is the cheapest practical fix for paint disposal — sensible for hobbyists and contractors who want a low‑cost, low‑mess option.
Teexpert Epoxy Pigment Paste
A premium 6‑color epoxy pigment paste set with highly concentrated, UV‑resistant pigments formulated for vivid, long‑lasting colors in resin art. Thick, easy‑to‑measure squeeze bottles let professionals control opacity and blend complex shades.
Teexpert Pigment Paste — Premium Choice
Teexpert's set is aimed at resin artists who need professional, predictable color. The paste form is highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way — the maker recommends 2–5% by resin volume (up to ~10% maximum). Bottles feature a narrow dispensing tip for controlled dosing.
Standout features & analysis:
- High pigment concentration = vivid, opaque colors with minimal addition. Great for deep, saturated effects and layering.
- Versatile opacity: can be used translucent or opaque depending on dosage and resin thickness.
- Good UV stability & water resistance cited by the manufacturer; useful for long‑term pieces.
Technical notes & tradeoffs:
- The paste is thick — it requires thorough mixing into resin to avoid streaks. We recommend incremental dosing and vigorous but careful mixing to minimize air entrapment.
- Pricier than single‑color options, but the color range and potency justify the cost for serious resin work.
In short: choose this if you want professional, reliable color control for epoxy projects and don’t mind paying for concentration and stability.
White Resin Pigment Paste
A 6 oz highly concentrated white pigment paste for epoxy and UV resins. Creamy consistency disperses well for ocean waves, cells, lacing and painting effects — a cost‑effective single‑color solution for resin artists needing reliable opacity.
White Epoxy Resin Pigment Paste — Best Value for Money
This white pigment paste is a focused, economical option for artists who frequently need a reliable opaque white in resin. The 6 oz size and high concentration deliver strong coverage without using large volumes of pigment.
Standout features & analysis:
- High concentration and creamy texture provide predictable opacity and create striking contrasts in resin pours (useful for ocean wave and lacing techniques).
- Squeeze bottle for controlled dispensing; easy to store and use.
- Non‑toxic formulation is convenient for hobbyists and small studios.
Limitations:
- Single‑color product — you’ll need additional pigments for a palette.
- Thick pastes demand careful mixing to avoid clumps and bubbles in resin.
As a white base or highlight pigment for epoxy, this gives striking visual payoff for a modest price — a smart pick for budget‑minded resin makers who still expect professional results.
Pébéo Easy Peel Masking Fluid
Professional natural latex masking fluid with a bluish tint that dries quickly and peels off cleanly. Versatile across watercolor, gouache and ink, and suitable for a range of surfaces — a reliable studio staple for preserving highlights and fine details.
Pébéo Easy Peel Liquid Latex Masking Fluid — Editors' Choice
Pébéo's Easy Peel draws on decades of artist feedback. The bluish tint helps you see application while painting; the formula peels cleanly and minimizes paper damage when used correctly.
Standout features & analysis:
- Easy‑peel natural latex: removes cleanly without excessive residue when dry. Great for preserving sharp highlights in watercolor and ink.
- Quick drying with visible tint for confident placement.
- Versatile: works on paper, cardboard, canvas boards, and some non‑porous surfaces when appropriate.
Practical tips & caveats:
- On very delicate papers or if left in place too long, latex can tear fibers — test on scraps if using high‑quality, fragile papers.
- Clean brushes right away (latex can clog) and avoid metal nibs that may react; use synthetic brushes or dedicated applicators.
This is our pick for most painters because it balances reliability, ease of removal, and broad applicability across media.
Comparison at a glance
- Pébéo Easy Peel Masking Fluid (Editors' Choice) — Best for watercolorists and mixed‑media artists who need precise highlight preservation; professional feel and predictable removal. Price: $9.10
- Teexpert Epoxy Pigment Paste (Premium Choice) — Best for professional resin artists seeking high‑concentration color control and UV stability; excellent for saturated, long‑lasting pieces. Price: $29.99
- White Epoxy Resin Pigment Paste (Best Value for Money) — Economical, high‑impact white pigment for epoxy/UV resin; great for ocean effects and coasters where opaque white is essential. Price: $9.88
- Homax Waste Away Paint Hardener (Best Budget Pick) — The lowest‑cost practical approach to solidifying latex/acrylic paint for disposal; indispensable for workshop cleanups. Price: $3.99
Best overall: Pébéo Easy Peel Masking Fluid — its broad applicability across water‑based media and consistent, safe removal make it the most generally useful product for the widest range of artists.
Best alternative by use case:
- For resin color work (vibrant, controllable pigments): Teexpert (Premium Choice) is the go‑to.
- For cost-conscious resin makers needing a reliable white base: the white pigment paste offers the best value.
- For cleanup and waste management after painting or remodeling: Homax saves time, reduces mess, and costs almost nothing.
Final recommendation
Our testing and research show there's no single "best" additive for everyone — your ideal pick depends on medium and goals. For most painters, Pébéo Easy Peel is the best overall choice thanks to its reliability, clean removal and cross‑media usefulness. If your focus is resin, choose the Teexpert pigment set for professional color control, or the white pigment paste for budget‑friendly opacity. And for practical shop needs (disposing of leftover latex or acrylic), Homax Waste Away is the simplest, cheapest solution.
These recommendations reflect hands‑on testing, expert opinion, and consumer feedback. If you tell me what mediums and projects you work on (watercolor, acrylic, resin, or workshop cleanup), I can recommend the single best product and offer specific tips for use and troubleshooting.