Fast or slow reducer for my first complete ?

A

adrynalinjunkie

Well I am going to be ready in a few weeks and it is time to order HOK Reducer for the base coat and for the clear.

I spray slow so I am thinking even though the temperature range of the Medium reducer is 75-85 and my shop will only be 70-72 I would still be better off shooting a complete in pieces with the medium reducer?

It will just take longer to flash so I might have to wait a little more between base coat coats?

However I am tempted to buy a quart of fast reducer so I have that option with the clear. The clear hardly takes any reducer anyway. It is 2:1:1

The base coat is pearl. Would there be any advantage to using fast reducer for the base coat? The shop will be 70-72 and the fast temp range is 65-75 but I think I might get into trouble using fast reducer in the base coat on my first complete because it might flash off too fast?

What do you recommend?

How do I tell if my reducer is too slow? I am having to wait for ever for it to flash between coats?

How do I tell if the reducer I am using is too fast?
 
My first impression is in if it is taking too long to flash then you need faster activator and reducer. There are a couple things to keep in mind. First of all, and this is not discussed much as far as I know...could be wrong...new of the forums too...but too slow a reducer WILL tend to run more easily and or quickly. Also, too slow of reducer and trash etcd can be introduce into your finish much easier and in more volume.

The reducers you use are rated in a temperature range. No offense to the guys on here who use slow reducer in cool/cold conditions, my belief is the chemist who formulate the products know best what they are designed to do. If your shop is 70-72 I would mix fast and medium reducer as well as fast and normal/medium activator to get the best blend/results. I IMO would not ever use slow anything at that temp!


My two cents...Claus...
 
I can only speak from my personal experience and preferences but if you spray slow then you will need longer flash times. I only use slow reducer #885 and slow or very slow activators as I like to allow the paint to lay down.
For a beginner it is best (IMHO) to give yourself more flash time since it will help reduce orange peel and dry spray (two of the most common beginner's problems).
As for flash times you must learn to be patient as too many problems crop up when you rush things. If you watch your paint flash you will begin to see the process and be able to tell when its nearly done. Personally I like to watch the clock as well and waiting longer is better than rushing it.
 
I have ran more stuff not waiting for flash than any other reason.
 
I didn't see if you mentioned what clear you were going to use. That might get you some more specific advice.

Generally, you need a slower reducer when you are painting a large area, reason being is with too fast a product you will have dry edges wherever you leave off spraying and come back around to pick up again, which you will find must be done on complete paint jobs. Even jobs done in sections need slower products than would be called for by surface temperatures, depending on how long it takes to get around them. Then you need to think about overspray absorption, you don't want the film to flash off while there is still a lot of overspray in the air.

For example, I recently sprayed the cab, doors, and fenders of a '69 Chevy pickup as the largest part of a complete paint job. Even with the hood, cowl vent, and bed removed, it still took about 8 minutes or so for me to get around it properly because of the way it has to be sprayed. Add that to the time it takes for the overspray to get out of the area, (about 10 minutes for my junky old booth) and I wanted at least 20 minutes of flash time at the spray temp of 68 degrees, so I used 85 degree reducer, which worked out about right.
 
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