The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop paint hardener

This may sound like a dumb question, but here goes. I repainted my rear fenders and everybody said to use hardener in the paint (acrylic enamel). I did, but the paint didn't seem to flow out as well. Having never used it before, did I use too much hardener? How much hardener should be used in a paint gun full of paint?

Check the label. Most will say 4:1:1, which means 4 parts paint, 1 part reducer, 1 part hardener. And sometimes the reducer and hardener numbers are reversed, so check, if they are different numbers.

You did use reducer, didn't you?

Checked the can again. Has warnings and first aid info in 3 or 4 languages, but nothing on how to use it. It's PPG hardener. Think I'll go back to the old tried and true method.

The hardener is usually one pint per gallon of paint (4:1:1) with a pint of reducer. This is for acrylic enamel.

But you REALLY need ot get to the store where you bought the paint and get a tech sheet!!!!!

Brian

Pablos49
Go to the PPG web site it has every bit of info you will need including pressures, tip sizes and differant reducers for diferant temperature ranges. I use only PPG products for my stuff. The site is excellant.
Good Luck
Al

You're not mixing paint one cup at a time are you?!? If so, stop it, you'll never get consistency that way. If mixed properly in the right ratio, hardener will actually give a better flow and a wetter look.
Here is the tech sheet on Delstar acrylic enamel. Hope this helps.

This is all new to me. Back when I learned to paint all we added was a little retarder for blushing and some occasional fish eye remover. I have to mix in small quantities as I am only doing a fender or the hood. I was hoping there was a ratio of paint to hardener. I couldn't bring up the tech sheet, Pakrat48. Every time I try to do something like that my 'puter says it can't open that file. Thanks for the help.

Pablo, let's try this link. On this page click on the product sheet link for DAR acrylic enamel under the heading "Available Documents."

The standard mixing option for PPG acrylic enamel with hardener is: 8:3:1
DAR color:DTR reducer:DXR80 hardener.

All the info you need is at PPG's homepage. Let me know if this link works.

with enamel I mix about 40% to 50% reducer then add hardner,,works good for me..doc