The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Paint mix ratios

I had some paint mixed to paint my sun visor and artillery rims. The paint mix ratio is 3 parts paint 1 part activator 2 parts reducer. None of the measuring cups show a 3 to 1 to 2 ratio. Any ideas how to properly measure the paint?

3 oz. paint to 1 oz. activator to 2 oz. of reducer. OR, 3 pints of paint to 1 pint of activator to 2 pints of reducer OR etc., etc.

My friend, this is basic stuff you learn as a beginning novice of auto body repair.
I really don't mean to sound cruel but consider taking your parts and paint to a professional.
Mixing the paint is one task. Getting it to flow and lay nicely on the target is another.

What Mark said. Any combination. Like 6oz paint, 2 oz activator, and 4 oz reducer or any multiple of the mix ratio.

If you've shot paint before, you should be able to handle it.

Thank you for all the tips. I usually mix 4:1, which is on the measuring cup. I didn't see the ratios that I needed for this paint (single stage), I was too busy looking for the measurements on the cup and didn't even think of basic oz measurements.

I use the stainless “kitchen style” measuring cups. For a full gallon of paint it’s easier to dip out a cup or two than pour paint all over the side of the can. They have enough sizes to accommodate any mixing ratio. Word of caution, don’t get caught taking things out of the kitchen.

The paint gets dipped, anything after that is poured in so if it’s the same size, a bit of paint left on the sides won’t affect much. ie: don’t sweat cleaning between the different components if you’re using same cup.

A couple pieces of masking tape helps to make a no drip function.

Robert, you're not saying dip a cup used in paint into a can of hardener, are you? That would likely mess up the whole can. Not understanding what you're saying.
I have used paper cups to dip out paint to put in the mixing cup. Those get tossed after use, of course.

How's that work? Inquiring minds want to know.

I'll get a pic later. Explains it better than I can with words.

Actually, I found a Youtube video. I don't fold my ends because if they curl up, the excess will drain back to your can. Video on Youtube

That's pretty slick, Mark.

I have a couple variations of the plastic thingies that stick down to the groove in the rim, but they don't work as well as that tape trick. Paint still gets down into the groove, making putting the lid back on a mess. They're going to get tossed, and I'm using tape from now on.

OMG, I'm so glad that you showed us the tape trick. I just hate the loss and the mess when pouring paint out of a gallon can, especially the first pour. Thanks a lot for sharing that.