Car paint thinner is one of the most important and indispensable components in painting work. There are a lot of them and only certain ones are needed for the correct dilution of the paint. So, in order not to be mistaken, how to dilute paint, acrylic or any other, we will consider the main types of solvents and their use.

In principle, diluent and solvent are the same substance. Both serve to bring the material to the required viscosity (paint, primer, liquid putty, base enamel, etc.)
The manufacturer always indicates which solvent is best used for painting cars. Each paint system has its own required hardener and thinner. Be sure to read the instructions on the back of the container before use. It will indicate what type of thinner to use, at what temperature and for what material.

It’s worth saying right away which solvents should not be used in order to dilute acrylic paint - these are organic 646, 647, 650, etc. When diluting paint or varnish with them, difficulties in painting can also arise. Use them only for washing or other tools. The price for them is not great for cleaning the most it.

Types of solvents and thinners, which one to choose?

If you have a question, how to dilute acrylic paint? There is only one answer, use any branded acrylic thinner. Even if it is of a different company than the diluted paint, varnish, primer, etc. Just don't use the ones mentioned above! Branded acrylic thinner is an order of magnitude more expensive than conventional thinners, but for high-quality repairs it is recommended to use them.

If branded acrylic is over or you want to save money, then you can use a domestic manufacturer of materials thinner P12 universal solvent. It has been successfully tested on almost all acrylic materials (lacquers, acrylics, primers, epoxies). There were no problems or defects. It can be safely considered as a universal solvent. P12 is "normal.

And so, the main criterion for choosing a thinner for diluting paint is the ambient temperature. It is necessary to determine the ambient temperature before painting and, as a result, select the right one. Temperature affects the drying time of the material. In hot weather, the solvent evaporates faster and the paint does not have time to spread. Defects appear, large shagreen, overspray. In cold weather, evaporation will be too slow, and there may be more debris.

There are three groups of acrylic thinners:

1. Slow
2. Normal
3. Fast

Therefore, for high-quality work, always choose a material for a certain air temperature.
If it is cold, then use a "fast" thinner at a temperature of 5 to 15 degrees. At normal temperatures from 15 to 25, "normal" is used. And in hot weather from 25 degrees, a slow one is needed. All numbers are indicative, see the manufacturer's instructions for exact definition. In the photo below, a series of thinners from Body 740 741 742.

It should be noted that there is no special thinner for varnish or for primer, acrylic. For their dilution, a universal acrylic thinner is used. But for the base enamel there is a solvent for the base. Although many use the usual universal.

Solvents for transition

In addition to universal ones, there is also a solvent for the transition. They are not designed to dilute varnishes and enamels. Their purpose is to make an inconspicuous transition between old and new paint or varnish. To do this, the transition thinner is applied from a paint sprayer or aerosol can to dry "dust" in the transition zone of varnish or acrylic paint.

It is extremely important to note that the solvent for transitioning over varnish or acrylic paint is "acrylic" and for transitioning through the base, it is also called "Binder" are completely different products. The binder for painting is something like a transparent base. It is used so that the metallic grain does not stick out like a "hedgehog" in the transition zone, but correctly "subsides", which will provide a high-quality invisible transition.

How to mix colors correctly.

For high-quality painting, the paintwork material must be of a certain viscosity, and in order to mix it correctly, there is a special tool:

Each has its own advantages and what to use is purely everyone's choice. The measuring ruler is reusable, it will last a very long time, unlike a measuring cup. Measuring rulers are double-sided (each side has a different mixing ratio). Basically like this: 2:1 and 4:1 and another option 3:1 and 5:1.
How to use a measuring ruler and a glass in the photo below, there is nothing complicated about it.
Be sure to read the instructions on the package before mixing paints, in what ratio to dilute the material. Below I will tell you in what proportions to mix various coatings.

Mixing acrylic paint "acrylic":

For Vika paint, this is a 4:1 ratio with a hardener and 20% -30% thinner. And for Mobihel 2:1 with hardener and 10%-20% thinner.

Base mixing:
The base paint is generally mixed 2:1. That is, the base itself and half of it is a solvent. It can also be mixed 1:1.

Varnish mixing:
With varnishes, almost the same story as with acrylics. Varnish is diluted 2:1 with hardener and thinner from 0% to 20%. Depending on what viscosity you need it.
All the above mentioned figures are approximate, they can change for certain needs and the type of work, and application technique. In general, see the instructions before use and there will be no problems.

To accurately determine the viscosity of paint, there is a special tool called a viscometer. The work of the viscometer: the viscometer is immersed in paint, taken out and noted for how long it takes to empty. As soon as the jet begins to drip, the stopwatch is stopped.
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When painting wood with water-dispersion varnishes, it is necessary to take into account a number of features that contribute to obtaining a coating with high protective and decorative properties.

1. Prime the wooden surface. Priming should be carried out with a special water primer or tinted impregnation. This will reduce the amount of varnish used and will allow you to get a more even top coat.
2. For a "mirror" finish, use the wet sanding method before priming. Sand the wood, previously well moistened with water, and let it dry.
3. Sand with a fine sandpaper each layer of water varnish, except for the final top coat. This will help to get a mirror-smooth surface.
4. When choosing a varnish, keep in mind that if the surface you are painting has defects and irregularities, the glossy varnish emphasizes them, and the matte varnish hides them.
5. Water based acrylic lacquer can be used to renew previously painted surfaces. To do this, sand the previous varnish layer and degrease with an aqueous soapy solution.
6. Use clean water to dilute water-based acrylic varnish, do not add organic solvents to water-based varnish.
7. Do not mix water-based acrylic lacquer with drying oil, solvent-based lacquers or other types of water-based paints.
8. When you open a can of tinted varnish, it may have a different shade on top. Therefore, before applying the tinted varnish, mix thoroughly so that the color is evenly distributed throughout the volume.
9. Do not dilute acrylic lacquer with more than 10% water. Otherwise, this leads to a rise in the structure of the wood.
10. If you dilute acrylic varnish with water, mix varnishes of different shades, expect that the finished material is enough for the entire layer, and preferably for the entire product. Otherwise, when repainting, you can get a different shade.
11. Do not apply water-based acrylic varnish at low humidity (below 50%). With this humidity, the varnish dries quickly, and this can lead to defects.
12. Acrylic water-based varnishes have a gradual increase in hardness and blocking resistance. Therefore, do not stack finished products on top of each other during the first few days. When stacking, use polyethylene spacers.
13. Do not apply water-based acrylic varnish on a greasy surface. If the wood has greasy stains, wash them thoroughly with soapy water and allow the wood to dry.
14. If you want to slightly tone the tree, i.e. to give it a noble shade, apply a tinting impregnation and a colorless varnish on top, or varnish with the addition of 5% impregnation. With this method of self-tinting water-based varnish, use only water-based impregnations.
15. When applying tinted varnish, make sure that the layer thickness is even. A thicker layer at the edge areas or at the joints when passing with a brush gives a darker shade.
16. Tinted varnish is best applied by spraying, and when applied manually - with a swab. This makes it possible to obtain thin layers of a more uniform thickness than when applied by brush and roller, and, accordingly, a more uniformly colored product.
17. A more uniform color surface will give several thin layers of tinted varnish than one thick layer.
18. To give a visual effect of a greater thickness of the paint layer and a greater depth of color, apply a dark bottom layer of tinted varnish, and the top one - colorless or light, slightly tinted.
19. If you are painting a product that has already been painted with tinted varnish and has “bald spots”, the finish may also turn out to be uneven, i.e. it will also show through darker and lighter areas. To avoid this defect, completely sand the previous layer of varnish and paint the cleaned wood, or apply a tinted varnish from a dark palette.
20. The same effect can occur when painting with a tinted varnish a surface previously varnished with a colorless varnish that has “bald spots” on which there is no varnish layer. In this case, to equalize the absorbency, prime the entire surface to be painted with two layers of colorless impregnation or a layer of colorless varnish, and apply tinted varnish on the primed surface.

Acrylic water-based varnish appeared on the construction market not so long ago and in a relatively short time was able to win high demand from buyers. Due to its environmental friendliness and the absence of a pungent odor, it can be used not only for outdoor, but also for indoor work. To dilute it, water or organic compounds are used, after drying on the surface of the product, a strong transparent film is formed, which is subsequently perfectly polished. It does not overlap the texture of wooden products and does not change their original color.

The use of acrylic varnish is not limited to wood, it is used for painting tiles, stone and concrete surfaces, previously painted walls. To increase wear resistance, even paper wallpapers can be covered with it. The varnish has excellent characteristics and an extensive color palette.

The basis of the composition of acrylic varnish is a dispersion of plastic, which is completely soluble in water. Other components have also been added to improve coverage and performance:

• in order to improve film formation, 7-8% coalescent is added to the composition of water-based varnishes on wood;
• 3.5% polyurethane thickener allows you to get the desired density of the composition;
• in the form of an aqueous dispersion, the acrylic lacquer contains a styrene-acrylic copolymer;
• in order to exclude foaming, an emulsion of mineral oils is added to the composition;
• protection against pathogenic organisms will provide a variety of preservatives;
• to obtain a glossy and even surface after drying, wax additives and anti-crater additives, as well as plasticizers, are mixed into the main composition.

According to its composition, acrylic-based varnish is of two types:

• one-component: the composition mainly includes only acrylic;

• two-component varnish: polyurethane is attached to acrylic.

The addition of polyurethane to the main composition helps to increase the strength of wood varnish.

Lacquer Benefits

The list of positive characteristics is quite extensive:

1. The varnish is sufficiently resistant to mechanical stress, scratches and stress.
2. It has good resistance to alcohol-containing liquids and household chemicals.
3. Admixture to the main composition of polyurethane increases moisture resistance.
4. Durable varnish has high adhesion rates.
5. There is no strong chemical smell.
6. Relatively high thermal stability and fire safety.
7. Acrylic varnish dries quickly.
8. It is environmentally safe and complies with all European norms and standards.
9. It has excellent resistance to mold and pathogenic bacteria.
10. Acrylic colorless lacquer does not overlap the original texture of the wood and its color.
11. The use of such a varnish improves the aesthetic appearance of the product or surface.
12. There are many color shades.
13. The presence of a water solvent in the composition allows you to mix the varnish with water-soluble dyes.
14. Water based acrylic wood varnish is easy to apply and easy to work with.
15. This varnish is already completely ready for use, but if necessary, it is easily diluted with water to the desired consistency.
16. Suitable for use on wood, stone and ceramic surfaces. Application of acrylic varnishes is also possible on a brick wall. Often used for flooring.

On the video: testing acrylic varnish.

There are some minor drawbacks to this versatile acrylic lacquer. First of all, at the time of purchase, you need to look at the expiration date and storage conditions. After all, the lacquer coating contains a large amount of liquid, which can freeze in the cold season, which negatively affects the quality of the product. During operation, it is necessary to strictly observe the instructions and requirements for the temperature regime. It is also worth avoiding direct sunlight and drafts. One of the most significant drawbacks of water-based acrylic varnishes for wood is its high price.

Qualities and features

According to the decorative effect that is obtained during application, the varnish is divided into certain groups:

• Lacquer acrylic matte. It perfectly hides all surface irregularities. The lacquering is velvety without gloss, the film is strong and does not overlap the surface pattern.

• Glossy. Adds shine to the workpiece, emphasizing the depth. Its main disadvantage is that it shows all the flaws that are on the surface of the product.

• Semi-gloss lacquer. It gives a slight shimmer, but also emphasizes the existing shortcomings.

Scope of application

Due to the excellent qualities of water-based wood varnish, it is often used in construction and finishing work. The range of its application is quite wide. This high-quality material perfectly protects various surfaces from damage and pests, and it dries very quickly. Considering that the application of acrylic varnish improves the appearance, it is used for processing wooden facades.

For outdoor work, matte or glossy varnish is often used. It is highly resistant to temperature extremes, resistant to moisture and does not fade in direct sunlight. The properties of such a coating make it possible to increase the operation of the facility by 10 years. Before starting work with varnish, properly prepare the surface. Old paint, if any, is carefully removed, everything is cleaned of dirt and dust and must be degreased. Water varnish can be applied with a brush or sprayed with special sprayers.

Water-based floor varnish has differences based on the type of flooring. The difference is in the properties of the film. For floors made of a solid, solid board, a film is needed that is stronger and more elastic, it must maintain its integrity under various temperature conditions and humidity. The basic composition of parquet board varnish includes components that create a more fragile film, if such a varnish is applied to large floor boards, they will crack over time. It should be remembered that a composition that dries quickly is not used for painting floors. The possibility of qualitatively covering the surface in the allotted time is excluded.

Water-based floor varnish should dry within 4-6 hours after applying the initial coat and another 12 hours after applying the top coat. For greater convenience, when working with such material, it was painted over in white, which disappears after drying and a transparent layer is obtained. These varnishes are intended only for indoor floors, they are not able to withstand large amounts of moisture and ultraviolet radiation. For varnishing, you can choose matte, glossy or semi-gloss varnish. The price of such materials is quite high, but you should not save on quality.

Due to the fact that the water-soluble varnish has environmentally friendly components and high technological properties, it is often used for work inside buildings. Based on the numerous choices and rich color range, you can decorate furniture, kitchen utensils and decorative elements in any way you like.

They cover the surface of wooden windows and doors, for beauty and protection from damage. If the house has a staircase, then you can apply varnish to the surface of the railings and steps.

This material will be useful for people who are engaged in decorative and applied arts, it is great for processing figurines, baskets, vine products and home-made pieces of furniture.

How to apply water based varnish

In order to reduce the amount of material used and increase the quality of the application, the surface should be coated with a special water-based primer. If you want to get a perfect glossy surface, then pre-sand the wood using the “wet sanding” method. In order to apply varnish on a pre-painted surface, you must first sand it well and remove dirt and grease with a soapy solution.

It should always be remembered that water-based varnish is diluted only with water. It is diluted by 10%, if the dose is increased, the quality of the coating will decrease. Before use, the composition should be stirred. If it is necessary to give a wooden surface a tint, it is better to first apply a water-based impregnation and only then a transparent varnish. In order to achieve a thickening of the coating layer or its more pronounced color, you must first apply a darker composition, let it dry thoroughly, and then cover the surface with a colorless scuba. During the restoration of previously varnished surfaces, there is often a problem with bumps and gaps. To even out everything and remove errors, several layers of colorless varnish are initially applied, and then a tinting composition can be used.

Difficulties at work

The main thing when working with water-based varnish is to follow all the prescribed recommendations and adhere to the temperature regime. It should be borne in mind that the higher the air temperature, the faster it dries. This can create certain difficulties when working with large surfaces. If, after the varnish has dried, certain errors have become noticeable, then they can be removed with sandpaper. But this is if it was a matte varnish.

With a glossy finish will have to tinker. The coating layer can be removed by heating the surface with a building hair dryer or applying a wash. After using the wash, the item should be thoroughly washed and dried, and only then varnished. When choosing varnishing materials in the store, carefully study the instructions, look at the expiration date and, if you have any questions, consult with a specialist. The construction market currently has a huge selection of paint and varnish products of domestic and foreign brands, of different price categories and quality.

Acrylic varnishes for wood (2 videos)

Acrylic varnish is popular due to its fast setting and drying, ease of application, decorative appeal. Only a special solvent can remove such a coating. Usually the substance is already diluted and ready for use. But what if it's a pasty type of material, or if it's slightly thickened and sticks with the brush? What and how to dilute acrylic varnish?

Acrylic varnish is a high-quality aqueous dispersion of acrylic resins used as a decorative and protective coating for wood and other materials. The elastic, durable film formed on the surface reliably protects the base from mechanical damage and the influence of physical media.

Types of varnishes based on acrylic

Acrylic is the name of polymeric materials based on derivatives of acrylic acid, the simplest representative of carboxylic acids. A clear liquid with a pungent odor. Acrylic dissolves in water, chloroform, ethanols, diethyl ethers. Pure material has excellent physical and technical characteristics:

• not affected by temperatures;
• resistant to ultraviolet radiation;
• in the joints acquires good strength;
• has a number of positive mechanical features.

To obtain paint and varnish products to create a decorative protective coating, a special organic solvent or water is added to acrylic. The composition, where an organic solvent is added, can be used for varnishing not only wooden, but also metal, glass, stone surfaces.

General purpose acrylic thinner.

Such a varnish is as environmentally friendly as possible, applicable for interior work. Emphasizes the natural texture of wood (if it is parquet, furniture, caisson, panels, etc.). Easy to apply, dries in a matter of hours, has excellent adhesion. The finish coating is strong, durable, slightly subject to abrasion, the influence of physical and chemical environments. Has excellent decorative qualities.

If the aqueous dispersion of acrylic resins thickens or the mixture is immediately too viscous, it can be diluted. An aqueous solvent is allowed up to 5-10% of the total mass of the varnish - without loss of material properties.

It is not recommended to mix this type of paint and varnish materials with other types of parquet chemicals. It is forbidden to use them as a solvent, drying oil, gasoline, acetone, white spirit and other organic eluents.

Water-dispersion acrylic varnish decorates and protects the material from harmful external influences.

Acrylic varnish based on organic solvents

The solvent here is a mixture of esters, ketones, aromatic hydrocarbons. Sometimes the composition of the solution includes plasticizers. The resulting protective film is quite strong, does not turn yellow over time.

From the technical characteristics, good adhesion to the base, water resistance, smooth application can be distinguished. The material can be used for outdoor and indoor work. Unlike water-based varnishes, this group of materials has a characteristic odor, which can be noted as a disadvantage. But after the complete drying of the varnish, this defect will be eliminated.

In order to wash the painting tool after work or dilute thickened acrylic varnish, you need a strong solvent. Usually it is turpentine or other universal eluent. It is recommended to apply the product in 2-3 layers. Moreover, to apply the first layer, acrylic varnish based on organic solvents must be diluted by 30%. This is necessary to enhance the wear resistance of the protective coating.

Lacquer for stone and brick based on organic solvents.

Acrylic varnish is classified according to composition and decorative properties. The composition can be one-component (only acrylic base) and two-component (acrylic and polyurethane). By decorative features (additives), it can be glossy, matte and semi-matte.

Difference between "dilute" and "dissolve"

A significant difference between the means: solvents affect the hardness of the varnish substance, thinners - on its viscosity. In order not to spoil the material, you need to know what is being diluted and diluted with.

Water-based materials can be thinned with water or glycol ether. Dissolve - xylene, glycol ether, combined solvent. Compositions based on organic solvents are diluted with toluene, turpentine, and those types of eluents that are already contained in the varnish.

1. The substance in the jar should be thoroughly mixed before starting work, especially if pigment is present in the composition.
2. Do not neglect personal protective equipment, even if it is a water-dispersion (odorless) composition.
3. Humidity should not exceed 50%. The surface to be treated must be clean, dry and not greasy.
4. For application, you can use the traditional painting tool: brush, roller.
5. The solvent for aqueous dispersions is only pure water. So that the paintwork material does not lose its properties and does not affect the natural structure of the wood, the permissible maximum water content is no more than 10%.
6. The base (water or organic solvents) must be combined with the base of the primer, tinting and other parquet chemicals used in the work.

Acrylic paints and varnishes are used not only when performing construction and finishing works inside and outside the premises. They are also widely used in the manufacture of furniture and interior items. Often, special acrylic compositions of varnishes are used by artists (arts and crafts, painting, sculpture). The material is valued for its excellent physical and technical properties, decorative appeal, reliability and durability.

What is usually diluted with paint or enamel? That's right, solvent. Perhaps the following fact will surprise you: there are many types of solvents. Moreover, each species has its own characteristics and differences. To learn how to understand them, let's take a closer look at solvents.

Acrylic thinner

If you need to dilute acrylic paint (two-component), primer or resin, then acrylic thinner is indispensable. It has a specific aroma and a transparent color.

Unlike water, which is also sometimes used for such purposes, an acrylic solvent:

• promotes accelerated drying after applying paint (resin);
• allows the surface to remain smooth;
• helps to avoid unnecessary raid.

Solvents are divided into several groups: some dry quickly, others a little slower, and others very slowly. When using them, it is necessary to take into account the humidity and temperature. These indicators directly affect the duration of evaporation. In the cold, you should use a quick-drying solvent and vice versa.
RelocrylAcryl is considered the best remedy. It is suitable for paints, primers and varnishes, which contain acrylic.

To avoid fire hazards, solvent should be stored upright and in a well-ventilated area. The container lid must be kept closed. Avoid exposure to sunlight.

Solvents for oil-based paints

Oil paints are dissolved with gasoline, turpentine, acetone or white spirit. What is their difference? Everything is clear with gasoline, but let's talk about other solvents in detail.

Turpentine is obtained by processing pine in industrial conditions. It is subdivided into steam, extraction, sulfate and dry distillation. The more pinene it contains, the better it is. Turpentine is diluted with such paints and varnishes as: glyptal, oil, pentaphthalic, bituminous.

White spirit is obtained during the distillation of oil. They dissolve rubber compounds, various types of paints (oil, bituminous, alkyd), drying oils, polybutyl methacrylates (PBMA), epoxy esters. In some cases, white spirit is replaced with nefras (150/180).

To obtain acetone, cumene hydroperoxide is converted. It is suitable for paints and varnishes, the main element of which is vinyl. In addition, it can dilute vinyl chloride copolymers, chlorinated rubber, polyacrylates and epoxy resins.

Solvents for glue

The adhesive needs a solvent, both during use and when it dries. In some cases, the design is required to separate a part or remove a defect from the surface. Here xylene or acetone will come to the rescue.

Typically, the adhesive is dissolved with acetone, xylene, or any acrylic-based paint thinner. Sometimes ethyl citate and butyl acetate are used. Let's dwell on them in detail.

Ethyl acetate is an excellent solvent for polymers, namely polyacrylate and nitrocellulose formulations. It has a surprisingly pleasant smell and is almost indispensable.

It is also used in the food industry as an additive E1504. The storage room should be well ventilated and protected from sunlight. The storage container should be tightly closed. Use gloves when working.

Xylene dissolves a whole list of coatings: alkyd, bituminous, phenolic, epoxyphenolic and chlorinated rubber. Xylene is oil and stone. Based on a combination of petroleum and coal based isomers. Appears as a clear liquid. For storage, it is required to comply with fire safety rules, the tightness of the packaging. Ventilate the storage area.

To obtain butyl acetate, butyl alcohol is mixed with acetic acid and catalysts, then heated to a certain temperature. They dissolve fat, cellulose, chlorinated rubber and oil esters. To avoid the appearance of a film on paints and varnishes, it is mixed with butyl alcohol.

Solvent for varnish

The varnish is usually diluted with benzene, also with P-4A, P-4, 646 solvents. Benzene is the pyrolysis of petroleum and rock raw benzene. It qualitatively dilutes compounds such as oils, waxes, esters, cellulose, grease and rubber. Suitable for silicone and cresol-formaldehyde resins.

646 lacquer thinner is used, as a rule, in order to degrease the surface before applying paintwork materials to it. It is an effective solvent for nitro-varnishes and nitro-enamels.

P-4A and P-4 are indispensable for dissolving polyurethane coatings. They include hydrocarbons, ketones, ethers and elements that improve the diluting properties of these species.

They are used for a whole range of coatings, ranging from varnishes and enamels, ending with putties and primers.