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Projects Acrylic enamel paint reducer substitute

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by HuskerNation, May 1, 2021.

  1. HuskerNation
    Joined: Dec 28, 2010
    Posts: 337

    HuskerNation

    I need to find a substitute for acrylic enamel single stage paint so I can paint my car’s gas tank. I haven’t been able to locate any locally. Is there any substitute that can be used?


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  2. 34Phil
    Joined: Sep 12, 2016
    Posts: 553

    34Phil
    Member

    I'm saving a gallon of enamel I got from Tractor Supply when they clearanced all their enamels. It is to be thinned with xylene.
     
  3. Do a test run with acetone.Ive had good luck with it.Wouldnt do a body with it,but chassis stuff has worked out.
     
  4. bigdog
    Joined: Oct 30, 2002
    Posts: 761

    bigdog
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    We sell it at O'Reilly Auto Parts , I'm guessing most other parts stores handle it too. Just look on the website. If there isn't a local store that stocks paint they could order it.
     

  5. chopolds
    Joined: Oct 22, 2001
    Posts: 6,208

    chopolds
    Member
    from howell, nj
    1. Kustom Painters

    On whole cars, if I wanted it to set up fast, I would use lacquer thinner. You do have to mix it slowly, but it works.
     
  6. Poverty cap
    Joined: Mar 11, 2017
    Posts: 68

    Poverty cap
    Member

    Google DuPont 3812 fast drying enamel reducer, there should be a few different companies reproducing it, not sure of the cost or what quantity is available.
     
  7. Yes sir, done it before myself. Hell we used to cut it with gas to paint trailers.
     
  8. just use urethane reducer. that is what I use
     
  9. Me too. The way I'm reading it is he's wondering if he can use something he already has. I use nason ful-base for everything.
     
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  10. 19Fordy
    Joined: May 17, 2003
    Posts: 8,027

    19Fordy
    Member

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  11. HuskerNation
    Joined: Dec 28, 2010
    Posts: 337

    HuskerNation

    The NAPA reducer comes up at almost $90 for a gallon, I’d seen that before when I did on-line searches.

    Urethane reducer & Lacquer thinner? I didn’t think they could be used with acrylic enamel???

    The paint I’m using is Acrylic Enamel Martin Senior PCC135 Gloss Black & I have the Acrylic Enamel Hardener PIH50. Could one just not use the reducer?


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  12. 19Fordy
    Joined: May 17, 2003
    Posts: 8,027

    19Fordy
    Member

    HuskerNation, In 1988, I painted my 40 with NAPA Senour #880 Black Acrylic enamel with hardner added and used NAPA 8832 reducer. The 8800 acrylic enamel is no longer available. Is the PCC 135 Gloss Black and the PIH50 Hardener the same with the same results? The 8800 enamel was excellent paint. The mixing ratio was 4 parts hardner to 8 parts acrylic enamel. Xylene could also be used as a thinner but the 8832 was suited for warmer climates./

    The 8800 was a GLOSS Black. It would be interesting to compare the PCC 135 Gloss Black to see if it's match.
     
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  13. rnscustom
    Joined: Dec 2, 2017
    Posts: 33

    rnscustom
    Member

    We use to heat it in the cup before spraying , an old single burner stove with a pan of water , put the cup in the warm water and the paint will thin itself as it gets warm
     
  14. hotrodjack33
    Joined: Aug 19, 2019
    Posts: 4,128

    hotrodjack33
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    LMAO. That musta been good ol' leaded gas...todays gas would be like adding a cup of water to the paint:eek:
     
  15. I've heated alklyd enamel in the color cup on hot plate unreduced several times in the past and it sprayed out beautifully and dried fairly quickly. Learned that trick from a an old fleet truck painter. I'm not sure heating catalyzed paint would be a good idea as it might drastically accelerate the drying time and screw up the gun.
     
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  16. 1971BB427
    Joined: Mar 6, 2010
    Posts: 8,719

    1971BB427
    Member
    from Oregon

    Since you're only painting a gas tank, why would you even need a gallon of reducer? I'd be surprised if you'd put in more than maybe 15-20% reducer at the most, and can't imagine using more than a cup of paint to do a gas tank?
     
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  17. ken/alabama
    Joined: May 6, 2013
    Posts: 11

    ken/alabama
    Member
    from Alabama

    I’ve used lacquer thinner in the past.
     
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  18. dwollam
    Joined: Oct 22, 2012
    Posts: 2,322

    dwollam
    Member

    Not quite the same but I sprayed my '41 Ford Pickup with enamel sealer one time thinning it with lacquer thinner. My painter/body man friend recommended that.

    Died way faster and worked great.

    Dave
     
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  19. HuskerNation
    Joined: Dec 28, 2010
    Posts: 337

    HuskerNation

    As I was looking at the qt of paint yesterday I noticed I’d written the word “mixed on” & a date. That got me thinking/wondering if I’d had him put the reducer into the qt can with the paint, 2 years ago. I called the guy that I had mixed it & he said that with this particular paint they can mix the paint with reducer if I wanted it done that way at the time of purchase. I asked him if I absolutely had to use reducer & he said if no reducer was used it would have a lot of orange peel to it. Knowing the last time I sprayed it from the quart can it laid down beautifully and that was the 1st time I’d ever sprayed paint by an HVLP gun (vs rattle can), I felt confident I had had him mix the reducer in with the paint when I bought it. So I gave it a go and adding the harder in. Well it laid down nicely & today it’s dry!

    Here is the tank:
    IMG_7906.JPG


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  20. 4ty
    Joined: Jan 1, 2009
    Posts: 272

    4ty

    Back in the 60's at the the garage/body shop I worked at the painter after getting half cocked would spray enamel with lacquer reducer all the time.
    Paul in CT
     
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  21. 1-SHOT
    Joined: Sep 23, 2014
    Posts: 2,693

    1-SHOT
    Member
    from Denton

    Thinner, reducer, acetone,xylene,and white gas all evaporate at different rates there fore they have different flow out rates. All it does is change the viscosity of the paint.It all comes out of the same hole in the ground. When you heat it you reduce the viscosity of the paint also. When we hot cupped it we watch the paint till it started to roll and then we sprayed it. Because all you are putting paint on there is a totally different smell, also you will hear the gun sound different, and it will cover in two coats and be slick. Frank
     
  22. hepme
    Joined: Feb 1, 2021
    Posts: 519

    hepme
    Member

    This is very true. All any reducer, thinner, etc. does is perform as a carrier for the pigments in the paint. I learned this many, many moons ago from a very senior paint man. I just did some touch up on my single stage with some half dry paint and lacquer thinner, mixed it a tad thick and it came out fine. Just be cautious as to what the base is and careful how you mix it or it'll bubble the base.
     
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  23. no55mad
    Joined: Dec 15, 2006
    Posts: 1,956

    no55mad
    Member

    Reducer for AE is available in Mich, bought some this week at a auto paint store for <$13 quart.
     
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  24. 1-SHOT
    Joined: Sep 23, 2014
    Posts: 2,693

    1-SHOT
    Member
    from Denton

    White gas is cheaper. That’s what they sold for outboards and lawn mowers fuel .
     
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  25. winduptoy
    Joined: Feb 19, 2013
    Posts: 3,331

    winduptoy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Called 'hot potting'. It will make paint stick to dirt and make the dirt shiny
    A local salvage yard burned down their office/garage when the fumes lit off.
    Got to be careful
     
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  26. old.hot.rodder
    Joined: Oct 13, 2012
    Posts: 287

    old.hot.rodder
    Member

    For acrylic enamel, Dupont (Alexta)8022S is available and correct.
     
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  27. 1-SHOT
    Joined: Sep 23, 2014
    Posts: 2,693

    1-SHOT
    Member
    from Denton

    They let it get too hot. I seen people use a candy thermometer to check temp.
     
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  28. 1-SHOT
    Joined: Sep 23, 2014
    Posts: 2,693

    1-SHOT
    Member
    from Denton

    That’s good to know about that reducer. Thanks for the information Frank
     
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  29. LWEL9226
    Joined: Jul 7, 2012
    Posts: 339

    LWEL9226
    Member
    from So. Oregon

    In the Marine Corp we used gasoline to thin the flat paint... turned it into semi-gloss....
    really perked up the appearance of our Jeeps.... :D :D
     
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  30. southcross2631
    Joined: Jan 20, 2013
    Posts: 4,413

    southcross2631
    Member

    I did that too when I was in the army. I took a vehicle to vehicle of the month inspection. It was a 5/4 Jeep. I lost the competition because they said it looked too good as in too shiny for the army judges. The truck was perfect and they could not find a flaw anywhere except for the too shiny look.
     

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