You may have noticed that many of our products come with reducers and/or activators/hardeners, and that each of these products come at varying speeds. If you are new to painting, you might wonder what these speeds mean and which one is right for you. It all comes down to one key element - temperature.
Reducers for paint thin the paint so that it is sprayable through a spray gun. Activators, or hardeners as they are sometimes called, are used in clear coats and activate the products making them dry and harden. The temperature of your spray environment will help you determine which speed is right for you.
If you are spraying in a cold environment (below 70 degrees), your products are going to need help drying faster. Meaning you would choose Fast for your reducer and/or activator. If you are spraying in a very hot environment (above 85 degrees), your products will need help drying slower in order to maintain their gloss and you would need to choose Slow reducer and/or activator. If your spray environment is between 70-85 degrees, then your perfect speed is Medium.
Choosing the wrong speed for the wrong environment can lead to streaks, drips, long cure times, and even lack of gloss. Pay attention to the temperature in your spray booth or space to help your next job turn out great.
Still not sure which speed is right for you? Shoot us an email or give us a call. We are always here to help!