MODULE 5–PAINT MIXING
Topic A. Mixing Room And Tools
3:1
3:1:1
1:1:10–20%
A-3 Different amounts of material are needed for different mixing
ratios.
A-2 Mixing rooms contain all of the required materials and equipment
for preparing refinish materials.
The paint mixing room is designed to:
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be self-ventilating.
contain any spills that occur.
meet local fire codes.
be grounded to avoid sparks and explosions.
have explosion-proof wiring.
Most products used for refinishing in the automotive
collision repair industry require that they be mixed
or reduced. Depending on the type of paint system
there can be different mixing ratios used.
Some of the mixing ratios may include:
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3:1 = 3 parts to 1 part. A 3:1 ratio is taking
parts of two products and mixing them together.
Examples of this are mixing:
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3:1:1 = 3 parts to 1 part to 1 part. A 3:1:1 ratio is
taking three products and mixing them together.
Examples of this are mixing:
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Refinishing Program 1 v.4.2–Module 5
© 2002 Inter-Industry Conference On Auto Collision Repair
3 oz of one primer and 1 oz of hardener.
10.5 oz of one primer and 3.5 oz of
hardener.
3 oz of primer and 1 oz of hardener and
1 oz of reducer.
10.5 oz of primer and 3.5 oz of hardener
with 3.5 oz of reducer.
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1:1:10–20% = 1 part to 1 part + 10–20% of a
part. A 1:1:10–20% ratio is taking equal parts of
two products and mixing them together. Then
by doing a math equation, figure out from
the mixed product how much of the mixed
product is 10–20%, then add that 10–20%
quantity of the third product. Examples of
this are mixing:
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1 oz of paint and 1 oz of reducer and then
0.1–0.2 oz of atomizing agent.
15 oz of paint and 15 oz of reducer and
then1.5–3.0 oz of an atomizing agent.
PAINT MIXING
Select the Activity Icon on screen A-3 of
your CD-ROM for an interactive exercise
on paint mixing.
A-4 Mixing cups, viscosity cups, paint filters, and mixing sticks are all
important tools needed to help create a quality refinish.
The tools that may be needed when mixing refinish
materials include:
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Refinishing Program 1 v.4.2–Module 5
© 2002 Inter-Industry Conference On Auto Collision Repair
mixing ratio cups and sticks, which are used for
obtaining the proper blend of materials.
a lint-free strainer. Strainers should be tested
for resistance to solvents and water. Soak the
strainer for a couple minutes in water and also
in solvent. Debris could end up in the paint cup if
there is any change to the strainer. Strainers also
should have nylon mesh instead of cotton. This
is because cotton has lint that can be deposited
into the paint cup.
a viscosity cup. A viscosity cup is used to gauge
how fast a material can pass through a given
size orifice. This will then determine the spray
gun setup that is needed.
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A-5 Mixing ratio cups have graduated scales on their sides.
Mixing ratio cups are used for mixing paint,
reducer, and hardener. Mixing ratio cups may
have graduated scales on the sides of the cup
to aid in proper mixtures. Different mixing ratio
cups may have:
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a scale for mixing.
parallel sides. The bottom of the mixing ratio
cup should be perpendicular to the sides to help
ensure proper mixing is attained.
a graduated scale for cup that have nonparallel
sides.
MIXING RATIO CUPS
Select the Demonstration Icon found on screen
A-5 of your CD-ROM for a demonstration of
mixing ratio cups.
Refinishing Program 1 v.4.2–Module 5
© 2002 Inter-Industry Conference On Auto Collision Repair
A-6 Mixing sticks typically have specific mixing ratios embossed on
them for ease of use and reuse.
Mixing sticks are available by most paint makers.
Paint makers that offer mixing sticks will have
mixing sticks needed to support their mixing formula
requirements. When using mixing sticks, guidelines
must be followed. When using a mixing stick:
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place the stick in a container and follow the
appropriate scale.
do not set them at an angle.
the scales must be followed exactly.
use containers with nontapered sides.
the correct stick from the paint maker needs
to be used. Each paint maker has their own
set of mixing sticks made especially for their
ratios.
MIXING STICKS
Select the Demonstration Icon found on screen
A-6 of your CD-ROM for a demonstration
of mixing sticks.
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A-7 Viscosity cups are used to measure the thickness of the refinish
material.
Viscosity cups are used to measure the rate of
material flow. There are different types of viscosity
cups. Be sure to use the correct cup for the
application requirements. Different type of viscosity
cups may be able to be interchanged in some
applications. The three most popular types of
viscosity cups include Zahn, Ford, and Din.
VISCOSITY CUPS
Select the Demonstration Icon found on screen
A-7 of your CD-ROM for a demonstration
of viscosity cups.
A-10 Solvent recyclers recycle excessive amounts of contaminated
cleaning solvent.
Solvent recyclers:
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USING A VISCOSITY CUP
Refer to screen A-8v of your CD-ROM for a
video on using a viscosity cup.
Used material containers are designed for holding
small amounts of waste for a short period of time.
These containers may also:
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contain a double strainer for collecting material.
hold used material until placing into larger
holding drums.
recycle used solvent to reduce excessive waste.
wiring needs to meet local building and fire
codes.
wiring may need to be explosion-proof.
Topic B. Review
REVIEW
Refer to screens B-1 through B-2 of your
CD-ROM for review questions on paint mixing
equipment.
When using a used solvent container, it is a
safe practice to use a system that has a cover
and keeps fumes from escaping. If an uncovered
container is used, the fumes can cause a fire and
health hazard.
Refinishing Program 1 v.4.2–Module 5
© 2002 Inter-Industry Conference On Auto Collision Repair
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