Paint Activation Question

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PostPosted: Sat Nov 27, 2021 10:09 am
I have been using paint from a company out of Georgia. Their Basecoat requires a 1:1 mixture with Reducer plus an additional mixture of one ounce per quart of an activator. The company that I have been using has a very limited color selection. I have noticed good reviews of TAMCO products and am thinking of giving them a try. I noticed no mention of their basecoat needing an activator. Does anyone know if requires an activator? Wondering why some would require it and others not?

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PostPosted: Sat Nov 27, 2021 10:54 am
Depends on what type of paint you are using. Enamel, lacquer, urethane, etc.

For urethane base coats, which I believe most are today, activating is optional and not required.

There are advantages to activating the base coat, so I for one always add activator. You can use clear coat activator in your base coat to activate it.

I am sure one of the pros can give you a more detailed answer.
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PostPosted: Sat Nov 27, 2021 11:13 am
I too use a Paint mfg out of GA by a small good products!
I add the Activator for the Clear I am gonna use to my Base coat all the time for what ever mfg I use, mainly Dupont/Axalta.

I was told The main advantage was that it makes future repairs easier as it helps prevent edge mapping of the repaired area.
I Also heard it helps with the chemical bond from the base coat to the clear coat.

I am not a Chemical engineer so I can not confirm or deny any claims, I can say it hasn't hurt anything yet.
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PostPosted: Sat Nov 27, 2021 3:29 pm
I use it in certain repairs, where I'm giving a long term warranty. Up to 5% hardener, same as that used in the clear, after mixing base to RTS or RFU. While Axalta won't deny warranty if hardener isn't used in the base, they certainly encourage it and it's detailed on the TDS for the better quality products.

At only 5% it doesn't make any appreciable difference to the base when spraying; sort of similar to adding a splash of slow thinner/reducer.

The most obvious thing is that it reduces the tendency to chip, so ideal on front bars and bonnets.
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 28, 2021 1:10 pm
Here is the deal with activating your basecoat,

you create a 3 layer cross link.

Urethane sealer
Basecoat w/ hardener (I use whatever hardener is in my clear I'm going to use) 5%
Clear coat

This combo above will give you three layers cross linking together,

Pros : No delamination, helps prevent clear getting moved or stamped assembling door handles etc, chip resistance. etc

Cons : none

these days I wouldn't call it optional, put it in your base.
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 28, 2021 2:28 pm
I got a Good question if your mixing 1 to 1 base reducer in a 1 qt cup. 5% is how much?

My Cups dont have a 1 to 1 to 5% mix ratio, perhaps some do?

I am I am sure if I am not sure others are wondering as well lol
I was told just add a couple of Cap fulls to the mix would be fine?
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 28, 2021 2:50 pm
So lets say we want to mix a quart ready to spray.
thats 16 oz base
16 oz reducer
total 32 oz
10% would be 3.2 oz so half of that is 5% = 1.6 oz. activator.
or 32oz x .05 the 5% = 1.6 oz
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 28, 2021 4:12 pm
Or you can simply us this formula:
(Oz Base+Oz Reducer) x .05 = amount of activator
(16 + 16) = 32 x .05 =1.6 oz Activator
(12 + 12) = 24 x .05 = 1.2 oz Activator
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