Epoxy reducer recomendations

[FStanley]

Seached the forum quite a bit as well as reading the SPI epoxy tech sheet instructions.

I see "reduced" epoxy but reduced with what??????

I am a home hobbyist. I have found I like to reduce the SPI epoxy a little bit say 5-10% to help it flow out a little better and put on with thin coats and keep up with my small air compressor. Especially on plastic stuff. I also think the reducing helps it stick better to plastic stuff. I use acetone as a reducer.

I am sure there is a lot of experience on this forum.

I have an idea of making a Table??? with recommendations per material being shot with reduced epoxy

something like:

NOTE: THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF THE TABLE NOT REAL ADVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want feedback on what you are all doing out there and see if we can come up with a best practices per material. Maybe add info to Tech Sheet??

MATERIAL REDUCER RECOMMENDATION

ABS reduce 5-10% with Acetone

Polyurethane reduce 5-10% with a Urethane Reducer

Polyester reduce 5-10% with Lacquer Thinner

Bare Steel reduce 5-10% with Turpentine



THoughts? Real World Experiences???

thanks

fred

 

[Chris_Hamilton]

From the SPI Tech Manual:
"To use as a Paint Sealer:
To use the epoxy as a paint sealer, reduce it 5-50% with the proper temperature range urethane reducer (this is very important) and spray with your base/clear gun."

You should only reduce SPI Epoxy with a SPI Urethane reducer. You will get the best performance using SPI reducer because it is a high grade (probably one of the highest grade reducers on the market today. Equal to or better than any of the Majors like PPG or Axalta etc. Beware of low grade urethane reducers. When using epoxy as a sealer, is the only instance that it should be reduced. Along with using high quality reducer using the correct temperature range of reducers is equally important.

In all other instances it is designed to be used un-reduced

I'm not sure I understand your post completely. If you are suggesting what to reduce epoxy with when applying it over different types of materials, be aware you would never reduce epoxy with anything but a high quality urethane reducer. Doing anything else including using acetone is asking for trouble. Some of those thinners you listed would ruin the epoxy. Use the product as it is designed.

Follow the Tech Manual instructions or instructions on the can. The types of products used today do not allow for "interpretation" or "experimentation". There is no need to and doing so can/will lead to a costly re-do.

Here is a link to the current SPI Tech Manual and other helpful info.

SPI Tech Manual:
https://9bebbfda-9708-47ec-91b7-e2b...d/9190b4_d8867cb9ac1c49b09bd04022e3bd0edb.pdf

How To Use | United States | Southern Polyurethanes

Tech manual and other info

www.southernpolyurethanes.com