How To Mix Car Paint - Understanding Paint Mixing Ratios with Kevin Tetz at Eastwood

In this video Kevin Tetz explains Mix Ratios and how to properly mix car paint when spraying your next project vehicle. Remember, don't think of the components n terms of gallons or quarts, think of everything in "parts". So a 2:1 ratio is 2 parts paint to 1 part activator.
BUY Mixing Cups Here: www.eastwood.co...
In this video Kevin Tetz explains Mix Ratios and how to properly mix car paint when spraying your next project vehicle. Remember, don't think of the components n terms of gallons or quarts, think of everything in "parts". So a 2:1 ratio is 2 parts paint to 1 part activator. The Mixing Cups from Eastwood makes mixing paint easier than ever!
Mixing Cups from Eastwood are available in numerous sizes - pints, quarts and 5 quart containers and make mixing paint easier than ever.
Mix paints accurately: automotive finishes cost enough. Minimize the risk of inaccurately mixing a batch of paint. These cups are graduated to match popular mixing ratios. Much more accurate than trying to read a mixing stick in a dark metal can.
Eastwood has everything you need to do the job right when you're restoring your car - from welders and plasma cutters to paint and tools.
Are You an Eastwood Guy?

[@eastwoodco]

SUBSCRIBE to be ENTERED to WIN a brand new MIG 180 welder! New and old subs are entered into the pool to win!

[@dannythompson1948]

Did you guys announce a winner? If not, I'll volunteer for the position.. :)

[@triplecranks]

I have made the mistake of mixing up my ratio columns. I now take masking tape to make sure I stay in the correct ratio column of the cup. I simply run a vertical piece of tape on either side of the ratio column to ensure I don't make a mistake. I find this very helpful. Great information Kevin! I learn a lot from you. Thanks!

[@eastwoodco]

+Charlie S Thanks. Nice tip!

[@CarlGennaro]

LOL I do the same thing making bread, use masking tape on all my measuring cups , easier on the eyes

[@cameronsurf1122]

I don't even paint cars and I'm watching this. I've learned something new everyday

[@joshuamedina8920]

Jack of all tradet

[@0Heeroyuy01]

whats really really sad is this video does a better job explaining this than any of the "tutorial" videos on youtube for mixing paint for gundam model kits

[@DownAtTheUnit]

Genuinely astounded to the simplicity you have broken it down to! kudos!

[@johnjames77]

Your the 1st person to explain it correct

[@Ardian1899]

Straightforward and no nonsense. I'm subscribing.

[@SgtRollo61]

So...... That's where you went after doing the show "TRUCKS" Good to see you're still working with paint! :-)

[@santoshbhatkar7867]

Most useful shor and sweet video on KZbin. Excellent presentation bro.

[@johnwilliams5538]

Thank you for posting this video! taking the gal to quart math away definitely helped me understand the breakdown better. Merry Christmas!

[@jimchandler6744]

Getting ready to do a truck and this explained something I have never understood. Thanks for a great video.

[@ClintonSnow]

Thanks Mr. Kevin and Eastwood for this important video is really helpful, please do more videos about mixing ratios for paint. Thanks

[@eastwoodco]

+Clinton Snow If you liked that video, have you seen the episode of Hands-On Cars where Kevin shows how to spray an entire car? Here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fafOm2Cuj6ikoNk

[@wheelersanything4260]

Awesome, Short, informative, and accurate.

[@brandonperez3104]

I might be dumb but this confused me more

[@Chupapi1990]

Yea you just dumb. Explanation was straight forward.

[@germanrodriguez6510]

You couldn't of explained it any better thanks💯💯💯

[@vicrattlehead8665]

Nice I won’t be lost when they start showing me how to paint at my job.

[@worldpeace32]

the explanation was clear , thanks

[@stefanmitrovic973]

Just wonderful, I been tryin to find out about "car painting procedures" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Ever heard of - Banayce Wordless Blueprint - (do a search on google ) ? It is an awesome one of a kind guide for discovering how to master car body work and spraying techniques without the hard work. Ive heard some incredible things about it and my mate got great results with it.

[@MCgamingDutch]

Hahahahahaa lmao

[@gzawatski]

Great video! I am interested in this process and love the results!

[@autofox5.067]

So simple but I never knew until now! Thanks!

[@rudychavira5558]

Simple have a couple of these containers, and overwhelmed by all the numbering, thanks

[@nasilemak868]

Watching this makes me wanna drink watermelon juice. Nice vid btw!

[@bookstomper48483]

Short and simple , thank you

[@eastwoodco]

You're welcome!

[@glen3993]

thank you for explaining it to me so easy, i have tried to get painters to many times but they wouldn't

[@boltonky]

Great video - took a few minutes and had to look at cup to make sense, first time using mixing cups in my life and only wasted 3 days of my life and lots of materials (sounds stupid but never used them and never had a problem) to get a 3 meter paint job haha. Clearly now a lot of re-learning has to be done to get out of old habits to do/be more professional at it :) Maybe ill stick with powder coating haha

[@rogersalazar6410]

Nice quick 👌 explained that's all I needed I have Bondo sandpaper compressor a gun mixing isn't really hard 😮

[@rockoniceman]

Thanks for posting this!

[@johncasor9698]

nice... never knew how to read this... Another Great Video...

[@powerflite9027]

Thanks for doing these great videos. Simple question, how do you pour the paint without making a mess, wasting expensive paint, and gumming up the lid seal area? You would think that there was a better way to do it by now.

[@eastwoodco]

Is this what you're looking for? www.eastwood.com/pour-it-lids-for-gallons-4-pack.html

[@Chris-pq8oj]

I take a punch and put holes in the lip so when I pour the paint caught in the lip will drop back in the can with the lid on can't loose good paint

[@ebeaulieu813]

If the columns and numbers confuse you just use the ounces. I need 12ozs with 2:1 mix ratio. So we actually have 3 parts. Divide the total parts(3) into the total volume in this case 12. 12oz/3=4oz. each part is 4 ounces. So 2 parts = 8ozs and 1 part =4ozs. if there is a .5 that would be 2ozs.

[@williamirizarry1113]

Thank you for that.

[@The.2.Minute-Man]

Nice and easy to follow thanks from Aussie land

[@samuelguzman-bb4ys]

Very good advice thanks

[@eastwoodco]

You're welcome!

[@DashFlicks]

what is the expiration date of once open activator. do i have to use it all at once or it can be reused at the later time? thanks!

[@larryvanhorn1571]

Awesome finally I figured this out thanks

[@abdulgafoorck1560]

Hi friend very clear your speaking

[@josephsutton8817]

I have a question. Can you adjust the sheen as well? I want to paint my truck 2 tone with 2 different matte colors. I saw that you offer a matte black specific paint product but I didn’t see any others. I can obviously mix it with white to my desired grey but what white? Is there a satin white? Something that will stay the same matte sheen as the black. Or could I just buy two intermix colors and then just use your matte clear?

[@charliespann3967]

Thanks Mr. Kevin

[@tombackes9557]

Kevin, I love your videos and try to follow your suggestions. I have an Anest Iwata LPH400 that I have dedicated to clear coat only. I bought the 3M PPS series 2 gun adapter to use with the PPS series 2 system cups so I could reduce clean up time and use less gun cleaner or lacquer thinner. The PPS2 filter clogs instantly while trying to spray clear. I mixed the clear according to mfg. instructions 4/1/1. 4 parts clear 1 part activator and 1 part reducer. I live in FL so I am using the slow activator. When I remove the screen filter in the lid small clumps of clear come out while spraying. I tried to use the Anest Iwata screen with the PPS2 lid with filter screen removed and the PPS 2 pulls the screen into the cup. Do you have any other suggestions other than buying an Anest Iwata aluminum cup and using their filter? I have invested much money in the 3M PPS 2 cups etc.

[@customsrusprincalifornia2284]

What about what chemicals should go with paint? For a new car finish look?

[@originalabesha7480]

Thanks

[@okeim546]

Well where I live on the paint supplier doesn't sell paints that are labelled so I don't know the precise mixing ratio for that brand . What would you suggest

[@jeffdeluca1153]

So is the second number always tye hardener? And the third number always the reducer? Assume if no hardener then just use the 1st two ratio numbers? Thank you

[@eastwoodco]

It will say on the manufacturer's instructions what the ratio is and what is what. Our Show Car Clear for example is 4:1 Clear to Hardener, but you can further reduce it at 4:1:1 Which would then be Clear, Hardener, Reducer. Yes if you only have two components you can just ignore the other numbers on the mixing cup.

[@christopherdorsey6878]

Really helpful thank you

[@stealhty1]

He also have a 5 Gallons bucket mix ratio when Aircrafts arrive for paint

[@jTamayo34]

How would I go about adding 20% reducer to a 4:1:20% mix ratio if it is not on the mixing cup?

[@323jo3y]

My mixing cup I bought at Homedepot and Walmart doesnt have 1:1 ratio column sperated. The first column on my mixing cups are 3:1:1. Do I use this first ratio for 1:1?

[@kevinmetcalf6371]

Awesome video man tks

[@cielpapa7108]

thanksfor all

[@justinnigel3822]

So what about if you primer was 4:1 and the harnener is 2:1 can they still be mixed?

[@delinabaquero2560]

Sir is there a computation on how to get the ratio ...ex. I have 16.5 and 2.5 liters of paint and I only mix a little m..

[@tonyretuta]

What's the description of the mixing cup you're using so I can order it online? thanks a lot.

[@ghorbanalirazmjou8591]

Good 👍 متشکرم

[@mattywollaston3996]

Thanks heaps mate, awesome video, and some wicked tips. Thanks again.

[@drewzergrey8680]

What's the measurement for a part is it a pint or cup? Is that like a parsept of distance

[@natudavis8092]

Thank You!... 💯

[@gregorysanford1610]

Good on ya Kev

[@f100manwesley4]

Ok. I just painted the underside of the bed of my 85 ford f150 restoring it and I was so busy that day I forgot my hardeners and thinners. How long should the paint job last until it starts deteriorating.

[@eastwoodco]

If it's two component paint and you forgot to add the catalyst or hardener, you should remove it and start over.

[@carlosrodriguez7000]

THANK YOU!!!!!

[@fredjones5327]

Great video as usual I have a couple questions... I’m a beginner at this painting and I’m doing a spot repair on my VW, I got my base coat from my local auto body (a pint) I didn’t mix it with any thinner or reducer (thinking it came mixed) I put it in the paint gun it came out like sand, did more adjusting still came out like light sand.. should I have added reducer and thinner or both lol?? And if so how would I fin the right mix to give it the same finish as the factory?? Please let me know thanks!!! I refuse to give up!!

[@eastwoodco]

Can you contact an Eastwood Tech to discuss in detail - 800-343-9353

[@fredjones5327]

Eastwood Company yes sir thanks so much!!!!!!!!

[@abidabid9706]

So nice techik

[@williamsperez2015]

Hi. Very good your videos I have learned a lot Kev , but I have a question for you. I'm working with METRIC paint and the ratio is 1:1 but I found out while I'm applying that is kind of dry. What should I do? Add more reducer ? Thanks a lot

[@naminnooman]

Brung the gun closer say 4-5 inches from the substrate and if it is not helping you might have to increase the fluid. Or else change the nozzle tip and add reducer to accomodate

[@javapuppylife1773]

Hi I'm a first time painter. I went to my local paint store and I bought one gallon of single Page paint I told to John and I wanted it to be 2 gallon spray obal and he gave me all the materials I would name the paint And the Reducer and the hardener.I bought the mixture cubs but I'm having trouble. I have a 500 ml cup on my done. I'm trying to figure out the ratio of how much aint reduce or and hardener I need to mix. Here's the problem I'm having so if I put half paint in half reduce or how much hardener do I need to put in. The instructions that came with my paint tell me I need to put in 8 2 1. The problem is this does not make 2 gallon spray obal. I'm trying to figure out how to make 2 gallon scribble out of my materials but at the same time break it down in to amounts that fit in my gun but gun amounts that equal the 2 gallons. I understand the if I put half pain 1/2 reduce or that that is fine but I can't figure out how much hardener I need to add to each 500 ml cup on my gun. If you could help me would be awesome

[@occamsrazor1285]

You know, it's funny; I was always only OK at math in school ie failed if I didn't pay attention, but would pass with a C if I did. Fractions weren't hard per se, but not easy either. But what turns out to be easy is understanding what these parts and ratios mean on these cups. Somehow it seems like fractions in school masqueraded as understanding math intuitively, but really was just a bunch of rote memorization. The exact opposite is true of auto paint mixing ratios (seems like memorization, but with all the numbers on the cup, one has to intuitively understand their meaning to get them right), and for the first time, fractions just make sense. That pretty much decides it: when I have a kid, he's gonna learn to mix paint.

[@JRADMAKES]

I’m sad this video is over 😭

[@inzamowdud7490]

Where do I find the ratio for my paint ( 2008 Toyota Avalon 3q7 burgundy)

[@stoneparker5983]

Please how car paint mixing in thinner and likher for pabble stone

[@El_Shrek]

What do i have to do to paint a truck from one color to another

[@olivedrabgarage6243]

Great...so what about percentages?? I have a custom lustreless automotive flat paint for a WW2 Jeep and the people who made it said.."use a laquer thinner and mix at 150%"....is that 1 part paint to 1.5 parts of thinners? That can't be right...

[@Welcum2dcblock]

I don't know why I still can't understand this cup I usually just use the viscosity cup to get my mixes right . but would really like to understand this cup

[@itsnunyabusiness4095]

very informative ty

[@brandonpeterman9964]

Why do you go to the 5?

[@zerihunnega7809]

Thank you

[@eastwoodco]

You're welcome

[@punisher6001]

I am about to use for the first time my spray gun. Will paint a part/piece on my motorcycle...Went at paint supplies store and he gave me 4 different cans...the color, the clear, a hardener and something else. The guy wrote on the top the proportions but doesn't make any sense to me. Could someone help me with these one? Also, I asked him, how much pressure on the gun...I heard 5 pounds... should be 25 pounds or even 35? SOS.

[@jd5179]

THNX!!!

[@thenamelessyee]

How would I add a 1perenct max. In a 2 to 1 mix ratio for urtheane paint

[@mf0528]

Is it okay to mix car paint 2 days before the actual painting activity?

[@eastwoodco]

For best practice mix right before you paint.

[@boattune0411]

good job!

[@customizer007]

What to do if your mix cup does not have a mix ratio of 8:1/2:4 ?

[@austinbradley3411]

Question? What if ya have a smaller area to say fix and i still got to mix 5 to 1?

[@eastwoodco]

The ratio doesn't change, but the amount will. There are smaller cups. Also, the chart on the cups is set up for different amounts. So if you want less than a quart, there is a 5:1 chart on the cups for lesser amounts as well.

[@XZAYLO]

if i want to mix 3:1, i would go to the 3:1:1 column, pour the clear up to number 3, then pour hardener up to the next line of 3?

[@eastwoodco]

Yes, that is how it would work. Or you could use one of the other numbers, but always use the same number for the paint and activator. Under the 3:1 column, select how much you want to mix (about half a cup, whole cup, 1/4 cup, etc) and see what number in the 2nd column (activator column) is close to that amount, and then use that number for both the paint and activator. Hope this makes sense. Here's another video that may help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/maSrYmOMoKeZrsU

[@XZAYLO]

thank you that helps alot! What about 10:1 mix usually for all purpose cleaners and stuff? I want to mix my all purpose cleaner into bottle but the cups dont go up to 10:1:1 and the cups are in small measurements.

[@City_of_Dreams_1980]

Has anyone got the Pro-Spray software? I’m after the old version not the new version.

[@KingGem24]

What mixing ratio do i use for 1k primer if i didnt get any instructions and not on the can

[@naminnooman]

Nothing...it's 1K, you just open the lid and use it without any mixing other than stirrling but once the kid is open you only have so much pot life

[@nb117]

I got a paint that is 4.1:1 with an activator and a reducer..How in the heck do I do that?

[@davidhur09]

John Bias 4 parts base to 1 activator and 1 reducer so base = 4 activator = 1/4th and reduced is 1/4 just keep the activator and reducer exactly the same and add 3/4s more than what the activator and reducer are......ya get me?

[@nickphilips3570]

I need to mix for sealer. 4:1:20%. what does the 20% look like or mean? 4:1:2?

[@eastwoodco]

So you get your 4:1 going followed by the last component, which is based on 20% of the total volume. You could think of it as 4:1 then 1/5 (20%).

[@shakkermitchell2183]

man i have reducer and hardener so you havnt said nothing about hardener reducer mixed with the paint

[@Darsh0204]

what do you mix with car paint and what kind of paint should i buy.

[@eastwoodco]

+D Patel Visit www.eastwood.com where you can talk to a Paint Tech who can answer all of your questions.

[@blursithflow9442]

So what I’m confused about is if your ratio is two to one why do we go to the fifth line.

[@joejones8810]

Cool!

[@-Gunnarsson-]

what happens if I use too little or much harderner?

[@buyisilengubane4559]

Hi, how long must I keep mixed paint if leftover? Thanks for vids

[@sanjognewar4769]

thanks to help me

[@shoplifeblazin9470]

Nice!

[@Skully13579]

I find some products are thicker than others, even if your mix ratios are right the mix comes out thicker than the other. how do i get just the right viscosity for spraying the paint correctly. i do this by eye but i would like to find a way to get the same viscosity every time, for primer, base coat, clear coat etc. please make a tutorial on this. Thanks

[@scottsv96]

run it off the stick or use a ford cup

[@bhaskarp9044]

How to paint in for dinner chairs

[@dwaynewhitlow7017]

great video,but wouldn't you know it, I got a 8:1:2 paint to mix and cups with the closest ratio being 8:1:1

[@DudeOfWar5330]

i have a measuring stick that says 100:50 , is this the same as a 2:1 ?

[@javierpereida1722]

thats 3:1

[@gilbertgonzales6732]

How much harder to put in paint or clear coat

[@EvoKeremidarov]

What paint is this..it seems thinner than water?

[@ohno6.0]

How does the 5 make it 2 parts???? im confused by that..

[@maggiepaden5779]

So do u mix ur clear coat with the paint

[@eastwoodco]

You can mix clear coat with single stage in the final coat. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5PGlpmQZ9OEmZI

[@man-zp2oz]

Good