Michael Dresdner

Q: Can I thin enamel for spraying, and if so, what solvent should I use?
A: Yes, but you will have to read the label to find out what to use. Because the term enamel is used for many types of coatings, you must know what type you are using to know the thinner for it. (See the previous blog post for a fuller explanation.) Most cans of enamel will tell you what you can thin it with. If not, it can often be thinned with the solvent suggested for cleanup, such as lacquer thinner for lacquer enamel and mineral spirits for oil based enamel. Be wary, though; waterbased coatings are an unfortunate exception. They clean up with water but my not tolerate thinning with it. In some cases they will not tolerate thinning at all; in others they will, but usually with something other than water.

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