Reducer Question

M

MAKZ06

Newbie
I’ve been seeing “Reducer“ in these threads for years now but haven’t used any and am not sure if there are different types depending on application… like other than urethane.
Is the SPI Urethane Reducer what I should use at 10-25% for my seal coat of Epoxy? How do I determine if I should use Fast, Medium, Slow or Extra Slow? I want to be able to take my time but don’t understand how the different types will affect the process.
Can I use the same reducer with my single stage color coat or do I need to get reducer from the manufacturer (Automotive Art Motorcryl)?
Thanks
 
RosharonRooster said:
Amateur here, but I use slow for everything I do. (Restoration stuff).It takes all the guess work out. Just give plenty of flash time
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Was talking to the guy I’m getting the paint from a while ago about Activator. I didn’t ask him about the reducer but he indicated the Slow Activator is what I want for 75+degree temps and Faster for colder temps. Told me the disadvantage to going too slow was that it was more prone to sags and runs. Definitely a concern I would have since I have very little experience spraying and sags and runs will probably be my biggest screw-ups.
 
MAKZ06 said:
Was talking to the guy I’m getting the paint from a while ago about Activator. I didn’t ask him about the reducer but he indicated the Slow Activator is what I want for 75+degree temps and Faster for colder temps. Told me the disadvantage to going too slow was that it was more prone to sags and runs. Definitely a concern I would have since I have very little experience spraying and sags and runs will probably be my biggest screw-ups.
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Read the "How to setup the paint gun" in the hand book. Runs will happen but it's not because of the reducer.
 
A few things about reducer. The larger the area, the slower the reducer. A small area (single panel, bumper cover, mirror, etc) can get away with a slightly faster reducer. Don't use a reducer faster than temperature. IMO fast reducer is for gun cleaning. Slow reducers, final appearance, will always look better.
 
texasking said:
A few things about reducer. The larger the area, the slower the reducer. A small area (single panel, bumper cover, mirror, etc) can get away with a slightly faster reducer. Don't use a reducer faster than temperature. IMO fast reducer is for gun cleaning. Slow reducers, final appearance, will always look better.
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Is there a disadvantage to the #895 “very slow” reducer?
 
MAKZ06 said:
Is there a disadvantage to the #895 “very slow” reducer?
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Only use it when temps are mid 80's and up. Barry explained it to me once (I can't remember what he actually said) but the solvents in 895 take a LONG time to evaporate if below a certain temp. You can blend 885 and 895. That is useful in low 80's temps.
 
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Chris_Hamilton said:
Only use it when temps are mid 80's and up. Barry explained it to me once (I can remember what he actually said) but the solvents in 895 take a LONG time to evaporate if below a certain temp. You can blend 885 and 895. That is useful in low 80's temps.
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Thank you. Sounds like #885 Slow it will be.
 
texasking said:
SPI 885 on epoxy and any single stage.
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Used SPi 885 on my final coat of epoxy last night per the recommendation of texasking. Will be spraying 2k on the English Wheel this weekend.

After 16 hour cure time
20230413_070836.jpg


20230413_070940.jpg
 
MAKZ06 said:
Wow! That went down smooth.
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Thank you, it has taken me close to a year to learn how to lay down SPI epoxy with a good finish. Meaning no craters or fisheyes, and learning how to dail in my Devilbiss FLG-5 with proper gun distance and speed. The FLG-5 is my dedicated epoxy gun. It was a learning process for this newbie painter. I almost gave up the idea of painting my car when I couldn't lay down epoxy.

It's true, quality comes with experience with regards to automotive painting. All I've learned goes to the credit of SPI members. Without them I could have never done this.
 
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Lone Star said:
That's slick
How many ounces of Epoxy, Activator and reducer?
I ask by ounces because 25-50% sometimes is misunderstood.
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On my final sprayed coat of SPI epoxy I mixed 8 ounces of epoxy, 8 ounces of activator, and 1.5 ounce of SPI 885. I believe that equates to about 10 % reduced. The first coat of sprayed epoxy was mixed 1:1 unreduced.
 
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