Reducers Product Information

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General Information:
While the ability of the reducer to dissolve the resins present in the paint, and lower the viscosity is important so they can be sprayed, evaporation rate is equally important as reducers vaporize from paints during and after application.

As the reducers leave the paint, both the solids and viscosity increase. Toward the end of evaporation, the viscosity increases rapidly in response to the minimal amount of reducer remaining in the film. As these large increases in viscosity occur, the ease at which the paint flows is decreased, and ultimately a solid film is formed.

Advantages of faster evaporating reducers:
Fast reducers allow a more rapid increase in viscosity which minimizes sagging when paints are applied to vertical surfaces.

The faster evaporation of reducer from convertible coatings allows chemical crosslinking reactions to commence quickly. During this "Flash off" time, a significant amount of reducer evaporates from the wet film and avoids the formation of bubbles and craters during curing.

Shorter "Flash off" times reduce the amount of space and time needed between the spray booth and the oven on a production line.

On application paints remain tacky until most of the reducer has evaporated. Until the film is "Tack free", not only is it marred if touched, but airborne particles such as dust and fibers stick to the film and detract from its appearance. Short "Tack free" times are desirable and result from the use of fast reducers.

Advantages of slower evaporating reducers:
During spraying, the use of reducers that evaporate too quickly can cause the paint to dry before it reaches the substrate. In less extreme cases, the viscosity of the paint is so high when it reaches the target it does not flow out properly, and a poor finish is obtained. Dry spray and inadequate flow can be corrected with a slower evaporating solvent.