How to dilute alkyd enamel (paint)?

Alkyd enamel is a type of paint and varnish material, which is distinguished by its versatility of application (suitable for both interior and exterior work) and is usually used for metal, wooden and stone surfaces.

The basis of this material is alkyd varnish, which provides:

• low sensitivity to moisture and UV rays;
• high resistance to abrasion and mechanical damage;
• strength;
• elasticity.
  

  Types of alkyd enamels and their characteristics

Before choosing alkyd enamel, you need to understand the alphanumeric code. So, the first two letters indicate which substance was used as a basis, the first number indicates which works this enamel is suitable for:

0 – alkyd primer-enamel used for primer;

1 – enamel can be used for external works;

2 – alkyd enamel used for interior work, in heated and unheated rooms;

3 – preservation intended for sealing equipment;

4 – waterproof alkyd enamels;

5 – with special characteristics (for example, they can scare away rodents);

6 – oil and gasoline resistant enamels;

7 – the material is chemically resistant;

8 – heat-resistant enamels;

9 – electrically conductive and electrically insulating.

The last two digits of the code show the alkyd enamel number in the manufacturer’s catalog!

There are many different types of alkyd enamel on the modern LFM market, the most popular of which are:

• PF-115 – is used for exterior work and is applied in two layers, because it has a small covering capacity (30-120 g / sq.m.). It is applied on metal, wooden and other types of surfaces using a brush or sprayer, dries within 8-24 hours. Gives the surface a rich color and shine.
• PF-126 – usually comes complete with NF-1 filler, which significantly accelerates hardening. It is applied with a brush or a sprayer in two layers with intermediate drying in about 40 minutes. Before applying this type of alkyd enamel, the surface is primed with enamel diluted with white spirit.
• PF-133 – this alkyd enamel is used on metal surfaces or on surfaces that have been previously primed. It is applied in two layers, and has 15 not very bright shades in the palette. Able to preserve its properties for 5 years from the moment of application, does not crack and is not subject to mechanical damage.
• PF-223 – used for interior work on metal and wooden surfaces. Perfect for applying to radiators, as it can withstand high temperatures. Another area of application is wooden floors, on which this type of alkyd enamel should be applied with a wide brush. It is diluted with xylene, solvent or gasoline to the desired consistency. It has 17 shades in the palette that satisfy any aesthetic preferences. The drying time is 30-36 hours.
• GF-230 – Glyphthalic paint intended for interior work. It is used for finishing walls and ceilings, and before application it is diluted to the required consistency using turpentine or white spirit. It has a wide palette of colors and can be applied with a brush, roller or sprayer. It dries in about a day, has a rather strong smell.

It is impossible not to mention the other two popular variants of alkyd enamels (paints):

• Aerosol enamels – gained their popularity due to the convenience of application, aerosol does not require the use of additional painting tools, and also allows you to paint hard-to-reach places. The scope of application is quite wide.
• Matte enamels – this alkyd enamel is used for interior and exterior work. It is a common variant of the material, because it has high resistance to moisture, cleaning agents and lubricants. Withstands temperature fluctuations from -50 to + 60 C. It has excellent covering ability, so it is used quite economically. It is diluted with a solvent or white spirit.

How to dilute alkyd paint?

Before using this material, you need to understand how to dilute alkyd enamel.

First of all, you need to understand the components of enamel! The basis of any alkyd enamel is alkyd varnish. To give the necessary color, manufacturers add pigments, and it is also possible to include certain types of antiseptics in order to avoid mold and fungus.

Sand and granite/marble crumb, which resembles flour in texture, are usually used as fillers.

The most common type of solvent for alkyd paint (enamel) is white spirit. However, other types of solvents are also used in practice to give enamels the required consistency.

Solvent for alkyd paint: selection criteria

The role of solvents in modern paintwork is difficult to overestimate, and painting works using alkyd enamels are no exception.

There are many solvents for alkyd enamels, so in order to choose a suitable one, you should pay attention to its characteristics. You can add the solvent to the material yourself, or choose an alkyd enamel that already contains the desired solvent.

Before starting work, you should have a clear understanding of how to dilute alkyd paint!

Review of different types of solvents and their effect on enamel

There are a large number of solvents on the modern LFM market, among which the most popular for diluting alkyd enamels are:

• White spirit – as mentioned earlier, this type of solvent is most often used to dilute alkyd paints. This is due to the fact that this solvent for alkyd paint is the least harmful and does not have a strong smell.
• Turpentine is a well-known solvent that is obtained by resins from coniferous wood. It has a sharp smell, alkyd enamels based on turpentine take a long time to dry, but in some cases this positively affects the final result, providing a high-quality and wear-resistant coating.
• Solvent – the main advantage of this solvent for alkyd paint is that its use significantly accelerates the drying of the surface after applying the material. In addition, the solvent is excellent for treating the surface itself to remove traces of oil and wax.
• Xylene – quickly evaporates and can be used both for diluting alkyd enamels and for removing its residues from the surface and tools.
  

  Choosing the optimal alkyd solvent for a specific case

In order to choose the ideal solvent for alkyd enamel, the following factors must be taken into account:

• type of alkyd enamel – the choice of solvent directly depends on which alkyd enamel will be used. So, for PF-223, xylene, solvent or gasoline is mostly used, and for GF-230 – turpentine or white spirit;
• drying time – decide which drying time will meet your needs. The solvent can significantly affect this process. For example, the use of turpentine prolongs the drying process of alkyd enamel after application;
• toxicity – pay attention to toxicity and the presence / absence of pungent odor. If the surface is in the children’s room, then the best solvent option for alkyd paint will be the safest white spirit;
• wear resistance – do not forget that some surfaces, especially outdoors, require significant resistance to moisture, sunlight, etc. Therefore, for such painting, you can choose a solvent that will have a pungent smell, dry for a long time, but will increase the durability of the coating after applying alkyd enamel.

How to properly dilute alkyd enamel?

Alkyd paint should be diluted in the same way as any other type of paint and varnish material.

The solvent should be added gradually, stirring the mixture and observing its consistency, until it reaches the required level of viscosity.

Please note that some type of solvent may already be added to some alkyd enamels!

How to store diluted enamel?

Enamel should be stored in a tightly closed container, away from sources of fire and heat. Make sure there is no moisture and avoid direct sunlight on containers with material.

After use, the remains of alkyd enamel deteriorate quickly! Do not store material that has been diluted with a solvent!

Frequently asked questions