OT- Do catalyst hardeners work with standard oil based enamels ?

Milacron

Administrator

Staff member

Joined

Dec 15, 2000

Location

SC, USA

• Feb 20, 2021

• #1

"work" as in speeding drying times and painted surface hardness ? An example of "standard oil based enamel" would be Sherwin Williams All Surface Enamel.

Like this for example - https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...MI3tD10IP57gIVMvbjBx05lwpVEAYYBCABEgLCZ_D_BwE

Thinking in terms of machine tool paint that is not so hard as Awlgrip or Polane, but a little more scratch resistant than standard issue enamel....and can be applied with roller rather than spray.

 

A

atomarc

Diamond

Joined

Mar 16, 2009

Location

Eureka, CA

• Feb 20, 2021

• #2

Yes they do.

When thinning the enamel, don't use 'paint thinner', use a medium reducer such as Klean Strip painters solvent. For a extra nice finish, add a squirter full of Smoothie fish-eye eliminator.

Stuart

 

S

Scottl

Diamond

Joined

Nov 3, 2013

Location

Eastern Massachusetts, USA

• Feb 20, 2021

• #3

As atomarc said, not as tough as dedicated two part paints but tougher than with no hardener. Also used for striping enamels that will be topped with two component clearcoat. A friend had a VERY expensive custom paint job on a bike fail because the striper didn't add catalyst. The clear peeled off in sheets over the striping.

 

R

ratbldr427

Titanium

Joined

Mar 21, 2006

Location

jacksonville,fl.

• Feb 21, 2021

• #4

I used to be a SW dealer back in the 70's when they came out with the hardner for enamels. It did have a different pn than the urethane hardners but don't remember what the difference was if any.

 

R

RH68

Cast Iron

Joined

Aug 14, 2005

Location

Manchester, MD

• Feb 21, 2021

• #5

The catalyst you linked to is the one you want to use. I have used it with Rustoleum. You can reduce the rustoleum with acetone if needed. Be careful about breathing the vapors.

 

mister honey

Stainless

Joined

Feb 2, 2005

Location

eastern blowville heights, ohio

• Feb 22, 2021

• #6

I have also used the TSC Majik hardner (and Majik reducer) in Rustoleum with great success.

Mike

 

B

Bill D

Diamond

Joined

Apr 1, 2004

Location

Modesto, CA USA

• Feb 22, 2021

• #7

I was under the impression the tractor supply(majic) hardener did not make the paint any harder. It just speeded up the curing process so the paint got full hard in under one week.
I use Coleman fuel to thin the tractor paint. It is mainly naptha
Bill D

 

G

gustafson

Diamond

Joined

Sep 4, 2002

Location

People's Republic

• Feb 23, 2021

• #8

I knew auto paint places made a urethane enhancer, but assumed there was a bit more science to it. Glad this subject came up.

I will say even a modest baking[leaving a small part under a incandescent lamp overnight] makes krylon etc hold up better.

 

F

FTF Engineering

Hot Rolled

Joined

Oct 30, 2003

Location

Philadelphia, PA

• Feb 23, 2021

• #9

Do these catalyzed hardeners also increase the chemical resistance to solvent cleaners (like acetone, toluene, etc)?

 

C

claya

Cast Iron

Joined

Aug 6, 2006

Location

california

• Apr 13, 2021

• #10

RH, Can you delete some messages in your mailbox? I'd like to PM you about a gear question.

claya

 

A

atomarc

Diamond

Joined

Mar 16, 2009

Location

Eureka, CA

• Apr 13, 2021

• #11

RH68 said:

The catalyst you linked to is the one you want to use. I have used it with Rustoleum. You can reduce the rustoleum with acetone if needed. Be careful about breathing the vapors.

Click to expand...

I'm aware this is a dead thread, but just noticed this post and will say this, the hotter the reducer used, the less sheen you'll get out of the paint. You can use acetone or lacquer thinner for that matter, but as the reducer becomes 'hotter' the final sheen of the finished paint becomes more dull.

Stuart