Choose thinner by coating code, application method and approved product pairing, distinguishing reducers from cleaning solvents.
Match by the exact coating product
Products within one resin family can have different application requirements. The product page is a starting point; use the thinner and method specified in the current technical data sheet. The presence of several thinners in a catalogue does not make them interchangeable.
Include application method in the pairing
Brush, roller and spray are different processes. Confirm that the coating supports the intended method before considering permitted dilution. Easy atomisation alone does not establish the required film build or finish performance.
Detect mismatches before scaling up
When changing thinner, assess homogeneity, application and the dried film in a controlled trial. Do not attempt random solvent additions to a mixture showing separation or lumps. Record exact product codes and quantities for technical support.
Technical framework: from substrate to system
Thinner is a process component that influences application behaviour. Selection should not rely on smell, container colour or broad labels such as synthetic or nitrocellulose. Use the exact coating code, application method and manufacturer's approved reducer. A solvent used to clean equipment may be unsuitable for addition to the coating; cleaning and formulation reduction are separate operations.
Increasing dilution simply to improve spray flow can change film build, hiding and surface formation. Viscosity readings cannot be compared without knowing the method, temperature and instrument. For two-component coatings, verify the correct base and hardener and the specified mixing basis first. Thinner cannot correct an unsuitable hardener or restore a mixture that has exceeded its working life.
Start this assessment with the Thinners and Auxiliaries range and refer to the coatings glossary for terminology.
Example project scenario
Where epoxy and acrylic coatings are used during the same shift, do not rely on container size for identification. Label working containers by product and purpose and show the approved thinner on the job sheet. Ensure mixer and applicator share the same information. If a mismatch is suspected, segregate the mixture for technical assessment rather than continuing with the entire batch.
Checks before making the decision
- Identity: record the full coating and thinner codes together.
- Method: confirm the coating supports the application process.
- Trial: assess a new pairing on a controlled small sample.
- Traceability: label working containers clearly.
Relevant products and system components
These records support comparison and technical discussion. Listing them together does not constitute an approved application system for every condition. Follow the links for packaging, technical scope and product-specific questions.
Nanomix Epoxy Thinner
Epoxy Thinner is an auxiliary product developed to adjust the application viscosity of the corresponding coating system in a controlled manner and support professional application quality.
Application scope: Thinning the relevant Nanomix paint, primer or varnish systems; equipment cleaning where expressly specified as suitable.
Nanomix Polyurethane Thinner
Polyurethane Thinner is an auxiliary product developed to adjust the application viscosity of the corresponding coating system in a controlled manner and support professional application quality.
Application scope: Thinning the relevant Nanomix paint, primer or varnish systems; equipment cleaning where expressly specified as suitable.
Nanomix Acrylic Thinner
Acrylic Thinner is an auxiliary product developed to adjust the application viscosity of the corresponding coating system in a controlled manner and support professional application quality.
Application scope: Thinning the relevant Nanomix paint, primer or varnish systems; equipment cleaning where expressly specified as suitable.
Nanomix Synthetic Thinner
Synthetic Thinner is an auxiliary product developed to adjust the application viscosity of the corresponding coating system in a controlled manner and support professional application quality.
Application scope: Thinning the relevant Nanomix paint, primer or varnish systems; equipment cleaning where expressly specified as suitable.
Application, acceptance and maintenance planning
Product labels and safety data sheets are the starting point for solvent management. Define ventilation, ignition-source control, personal protection, spill response and waste collection before work begins. Never transfer solvents into beverage containers; working containers must retain product identity and purpose. Do not combine recovered solvents from different processes into an unidentified general-purpose reducer.
A dry-looking surface does not establish that cleaning is complete. Residues and recontamination can affect the next coating layer. When changing a cleaning or dilution procedure, a small controlled trial with recorded comparisons helps isolate the cause without exposing an entire production batch.
Preparing a technical enquiry and quotation request
Before contacting the technical team, prepare overall and close-up photographs. Identify substrate, any previous product, area or component count, colour and appearance requirements. State the application location, equipment and required completion date. Flag chemical contact, continuous immersion, food-related use or any other condition requiring specific documentation at the beginning of the enquiry.
Request separate identification of primers, finishes and auxiliaries alongside exact product codes. List unresolved technical values as items requiring written confirmation instead of filling them with assumptions. Keeping the approved sample, current technical data sheet and application records together allows purchasing and production to work from the same decision. Packaging information supports ordering, but product-page options do not represent live stock or a guaranteed delivery date.
Send your project details through the quotation request form or discuss unresolved questions with the Versan Boya team.
Frequently asked questions
Can epoxy thinner be used in polyurethane paint?
Do not substitute without explicit manufacturer approval. General solvent similarity is not evidence of system compatibility. Obtain the correct pairing from the current instructions for the selected polyurethane coating.
Does thinner smell indicate quality?
No. Smell cannot establish chemical suitability or safe handling. Use product identity, approved pairing, the safety data sheet and controlled application results.
Sources and technical scope
This article is based on Versan Boya product records, the site's technical descriptions and available archived Nanomix catalogue documents. An archived document does not replace a current technical data sheet. Confirm numerical application values, system compatibility and special-use approvals for the selected product before ordering. The scenario is illustrative and is not presented as a completed customer project or a performance test.
Editorial archive date: 11 September 2026. This new content was prepared and updated on 25 September 2026. Archive ordering does not imply that the article was previously published.
Explore the subject further
- Paint Dilution: Managing Viscosity, Hiding and Film Build Together
- Cleaning Coating Equipment: Solvents, Residues and Product Changeovers
- Two-Component Paint Mixing: Distinguishing Hardener from Thinner
- Thinner Inventory Management: Packaging, Traceability and Workshop Control
Related technical publication: Industrial Coating Defects and Quality Control: A Diagnostic Guide for Metal Surfaces.