Control dilution by monitoring measurement temperature, application behaviour, target film build and consumption together.
A viscosity number needs a method
Flow time from one cup cannot be compared directly with another method. Record instrument, temperature, preparation sequence and measurement timing. If shifts obtain different results from the same recipe, align measurement conditions before adding more thinner.
Distinguish easy application from correct film build
A heavily diluted material may appear easy to apply while depositing less coating per pass. Evaluate hiding, sagging and required coat count together. Using application ease as the only success measure can conceal consumption and rework costs.
Put approved limits on the job sheet
Keep approved dilution instructions accessible to operators. State whether quantities are by mass or volume. In two-component systems, record base–hardener mixing separately from thinner addition; the ratio for one operation does not define the other.
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
If hiding declines while consumption rises, do not assume a pigment or colour problem alone. Compare dilution records, measurement conditions and film checks. Prepare a control panel on the same substrate using the approved baseline. Base the decision on accepted finish quality and actual material use, not spray-gun convenience alone.
Checks before making the decision
- Measurement: record instrument and temperature with the result.
- Units: distinguish mass from volume explicitly.
- Film: recheck hiding and thickness after dilution changes.
- Cost: track consumption per accepted coated area.
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 Quick-Drying Industrial Thinner
Quick-Drying Industrial 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 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.
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
Does extra thinner affect only drying?
No. Application, film formation, sagging, hiding and deposited material can also change. Effects depend on the system; there is no universal safe dilution outside product instructions.
Can a mass ratio be used as a volume ratio?
Not without verified densities. Changing the basis can alter composition, especially in multi-component systems. Preserve the measurement basis specified in the current instructions.
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: 1 August 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
- Choosing the Correct Thinner: Epoxy, Polyurethane, Acrylic and Synthetic Systems
- 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.