Regardless of the price and quality characteristics, all varnishes thicken and dry out over time. Some types of varnishes become unsuitable for coloring nails already a month after use, while others remain in a normal state for up to six months, but eventually also dry out.

How and with what to dilute dried nail polish?

Of course, having discovered that their favorite nail polish has thickened and it is no longer possible for them to make up their nails, many will think about whether it can be “reanimated”. After all, sometimes it’s not so easy to choose the right shade of varnish, and it’s a pity to throw away the dried varnish if it was used only a couple of times. Fortunately, it is quite easy to “extend the life” of varnish, and this can be done with the help of simple and available funds. Let's consider them.

Acetone and nail polish remover

This is an old and rather harmful method of diluting varnish, which was used by our mothers and grandmothers. Naturally, it is not recommended to use this method today, because it is known that any one has a destructive effect on the nail plates.

Hot water

Naturally, the varnish cannot be diluted with water. This method involves immersing a tightly closed bottle of varnish in a container of hot water for several minutes. This allows you to improve the texture of the varnish, make it a little thinner for a while. This procedure should be carried out immediately before staining the nails.

Special agent

"Second life" varnish can give special remedy- nail polish thinner. This method is especially relevant if there is a problem with how to dilute acrylic varnish or. Varnish thinners can be purchased at the store. With the help of these products, which do not contain acetone, you can restore the varnish to a normal consistency, and at the same time its shade will not change. But the quality of the varnish will improve only for one month, after which it will thicken again, and it will no longer be possible to use it.

In order for the varnish to last longer without changing its texture, the following recommendations should be considered:

1. Keep the varnish in a cool place out of direct sunlight.
2. The bottle with varnish must be tightly closed with a lid.
3. The neck of the bottle in which the varnish is located must always be clean, without dried deposits.
4. It is best to purchase varnish, in the bottle of which there are special balls, which, when shaken, allow you to effectively break up varnish clots that form over time.

Most often, nail polishes come in large enough containers, so it takes a long time to use them to the end. During this time, the varnish may thicken or dry out completely, this happens especially often with matte and craquelure varnishes, since they have the shortest shelf life. Nail art varnishes also have time to dry out because they are not used so often and in not so large quantities. This is especially offensive when the varnish is quite expensive or beloved, in which case many are wondering what to do if the nail polish has thickened or dried up.

Storage rules

There are a few simple rules for handling varnishes that will allow them to last as long as possible. They are quite simple, but many people forget about them. So, in order for the varnish to remain usable for a long time, the following is recommended:

• Keep varnish tightly closed. Do not leave open even for a short time;
• Shake it from time to time, especially if it has a metal ball for stirring;
• It is necessary to store the varnish in a dark and cool place. Direct sunlight is detrimental to the composition;
• The neck of the vial should always be kept clean. It should not have dried streaks of varnish, etc. Before closing the varnish after use, wipe its neck with a cotton pad with nail polish remover.

If you comply with these simple rules, then the varnish will dry out much less often. This means that the question of how you can dilute nail polish will cease to be so relevant for you.

Acetone

More recently, it was widely believed that dried varnish should be diluted with acetone or nail polish remover. But this option was good when there were no alternatives. Currently, there are special thinners that allow you to "reanimate" thickened varnish. Compared with them, acetone has a number of negative features:

1. Changing the structure of the varnish. In particular, it is not suitable for matt finishes and other "effect" finishes;
2. Changing the density of varnish. Since a sufficient amount of acetone is required for high-quality dilution, the coating density is significantly reduced;
3. In some cases, there is a change in color, oxidation of particles;
4. Acetone does not mix evenly with varnish and collects on the surface;
5. The harm of acetone for nails is obvious;
6. Reduced durability of manicure;
7. The structure of the coating becomes inhomogeneous.

If your nail polish has thickened and dried up and you, not knowing what to do, nevertheless diluted it with nail polish remover, then it may be completely ruined. These substances contain elements that destroy the varnish. It is due to them that they erase it from their nails. In addition, even if the liquid did not contain acetone, prolonged contact can still damage the nails. Moreover, such a varnish cannot be used for extended plates.

Varnish thinners

Currently, there are a fairly large number of different products for diluting dried varnish on sale. Therefore, now there is no need to think about how and how to dilute nail polish. These funds are relatively inexpensive, there are quite acceptable thinners for 50 - 60 rubles. The most high-quality and branded ones cost about 200 - 300 rubles.

These products retain the structure and density of the varnish, even glossy and matte coatings will not lose their original qualities. Such a thinner comes into contact with the varnish particles and mixes reliably with it. Thus, delamination into varnish and thinner does not occur, and the structure of the varnish does not change. The density of the coating also does not change. You can use such a thinner several times, although it is important to consider that at 4 - 5 - that dilution, the coating density may still decrease.

Such a thinner for varnish is completely safe for nails, as it does not contain toxic compounds in its composition. The stability of the varnish will also remain at its original level and it will also be easy to apply. Of course, it is important to remember that all the positive qualities described above are preserved only when the dosage of the diluent per vial is observed. Otherwise, if you pour in too much, the quality of the varnish may decrease.

Usually, the dosage of such funds is from 2 to five drops per vial. So, for a small container of the order of 3 - 5 - milliliters, and also incomplete, 1 drop is enough. For large bottles of 10 - 15 ml, five drops may be required. But the specific dosage depends on which remedy is used. Thus, if your nail polish has dried up and you are thinking how to dilute it, then it is best to opt for a specialized product.

Varnishing surfaces, products and materials is an excellent way to decorate and protect against moisture, temperature and damage. Lacquers are used for domestic and industrial purposes. The compositions can cover wooden, metal, gypsum, brick, concrete surfaces - a certain varnish is suitable for each material. In order for the composition to acquire the viscosity required for work, a varnish thinner is used. The tool differs from the solvent in its characteristics and purpose.

When using chemicals and paints and varnishes, it becomes necessary to prepare a working composition of the required consistency. A lacquer thinner is a tool that reduces the viscosity and density of the composition. The solvent is used to soften the structure of the dried substance, that is, in cases where it is necessary to remove the coating or clean the working equipment.

All solvents and diluents are classified into five main groups:

• Petroleum and aromatic hydrocarbons. Popular distillates are white spirit, kerosene, paraffin, xylene, toluene, vaseline oil. Used to dilute oil and polyurethane products.
• glycol ethers. Can be used as a binder for stains and water-based coatings. Glycol ethers are used to dilute and dissolve nitrolacs.
• Ketones. Widely used as industrial solvents and paint thinners. A common diluent in the ketone group is acetone to dilute polyurethane substances and nitro-varnishes.
• Alcohols. Diluents are included as independent components or in combination with esters or ketones. Suitable for alcohol-based formulations, shellac, nitrolac.
• Ethers. Ethers are used to dilute film formers based on glyptal resins. Esters are used to dissolve any formulations with nitrocellulose.

The terms solvent and diluent are often used interchangeably. The difference between them is that one can dilute solid, and the other - liquid film formers. But some means are universal - they both dilute and dissolve the compounds.

On the video: what is the difference between solvents and thinners.

Types of varnishes for wood processing

The most widely used compositions for varnishing wooden surfaces. Wood varnish prevents the material from rotting when exposed to moisture, protects against mold and fungus and preserves the beautiful wood texture, you can emphasize and change the color of the wooden surface. In order for wood varnish to fit well on the workpiece (panel, furniture, souvenir, flooring), the working fluid must be given the required viscosity.

The diluent is chosen depending on the composition of the film former. Funds are of several types:

• Alkyd. Components - pentaphthalic, glyphthalic, alkyd, melamine-formaldehyde resin in combination with organic solvents and desiccants. Alkyd varnishes are distinguished by good adhesion, moisture resistance, and neutrality to ultraviolet radiation.

• Polyurethane. The main component is a polyurethane polymer combined with special chemicals. They are highly resistant to abrasion, protect wood well from moisture, form a strong elastic film.

• Bituminous. The composition includes bitumen in combination with resins and oils. After dissolving and applying to a wooden surface, it leaves a layer of black film. They are used to design products using patination technology with the effect of artificial aging.

• Yacht. Yacht coatings show high resistance in contact with moisture, have a long service life and strength. Yacht varnish is resistant to temperature and aggressive environments. Yacht varnish is used for interior and exterior use.

• Oil. They contain solutions of natural or synthetic resins modified with vegetable oils with the addition of solvents and desiccants. After drawing form a strong film of yellowish color.

• Nitrocellulose. The basis of nitrocellulose substances contains cellulose nitrate dissolved in organic solvents. Nitro-varnishes dry quickly, protect the treated wood well from moisture, and form a uniform varnish film on the surface.

• Petroleum polymer. Resistant to chemicals and detergents. Obtained by combining petroleum resins with solvents and modifying additives. Wood compositions show high resistance to abrasion.

Choice of thinner

To choose the right thinner for varnish, you need to know the component composition of the substance or the group to which the paintwork material belongs. A specific thinner is suitable for each varnish. It is necessary to choose a means to dilute, not dissolve the substance.

Wood and wood products are widely used in construction, furniture, wall panels, flooring and other interior items, as well as used in the manufacture of windows, doors, stairs. The lifespan of the wood depends on the quality of the wood coating. Lacquering - the most effective method decorate and protect wood material. For coating, the working composition must be moderately liquid.

How to dilute varnish from various components:

• To reduce the viscosity of alkyd varnish, white spirit is used. Yacht varnish is also diluted with white spirit.
• To dilute polyurethane substances, toluene, xylene, acetone, P-4 and P-5 solvents are used.
• It is possible to dissolve nitrolac to the desired consistency using a combined mixture of toluene and xylene.
• Oil and polyurethane varnishes are diluted with turpentine, white spirit and solvent.
• Alcohol-based thinners are suitable for thinning nitrolacs and shellacs.
• Glycol ether dilutes water-based formulations and nitrocellulose varnishes.
• In epoxy formulations, a hardener is first introduced, and then diluted with a mixture of xylene, acetone and ethylcellulose.
• Water-based products are diluted with water in an amount of not more than 10 percent of the varnish volume.
• Mixtures based on epoxy and natural resins can be diluted with acetone, and white spirit is used in an amount of 5% for yacht coatings.

The introduction of a diluent can reduce the viscosity of the liquid. To remove the remnants of the dried product, solvents are applied to the treated surface. They clean the tools and equipment used in varnishing.

After softening, the varnish film is removed with a thin spatula. If the layer is very strong, it can be removed from the wooden surface by scraping and processing with coarse and fine-grained abrasives and sandpaper.

The main types of solvents

All compounds that are used to dilute and dilute varnishes differ in properties. When working with them, it is necessary to adhere to elementary precautions - use personal protective equipment, beware of solvent getting into the eyes, nose and mouth, and ventilate the room. Almost all compositions are flammable and require proper storage and careful use.

The most common thinners:

• - has an average evaporation rate, is practically odorless, dilutes yacht and other varnishes.

• - Evaporates quickly, highly combustible, flammable.

• - a dissolving liquid of a colorless type with a specific odor, spontaneously ignites at 402 degrees.

• - does not dissolve in an aqueous solution, interacts with gasoline, kerosene and turpentine.

• - dries slowly, smells unpleasant, self-igniting, suitable for diluting oil varnishes.

• Solvents for nitro-varnishes- improve the quality of the film former, provide good adhesion of the coating.

• - a dangerous, toxic solvent, well dilutes shellac, alcohol-based formulations.

• - dilutes nitrocellulose paints and varnishes, gives the varnish shine, mechanical strength.

• - a viscous substance, odorless, used to dilute the composition.

• - quickly evaporates and dries, the substance is highly toxic.

• - a yellowish substance, evaporates from the surface for a long time, increases the drying time of the varnish.

• - a pleasant-smelling substance with a high evaporation rate.

• - dissolves and dilutes most varnishes, has an unpleasant, pronounced smell.

Popular solvent brands are 646 and 647. Thinner 646 is a mixture of several components that, in combination, dilute epoxy and acrylic varnishes well. The 647th solvent consists of toluene, butanol, ethyl acetate and butyl acetate. It is used to dilute nitro-varnishes.

Solvent P-4 contains a combination of esters, ketones and aromatic hydrocarbons. Suitable for thinning varnishes based on vinyl acetate and its copolymers.

The use of thinner for varnish allows you to get the working composition of the required consistency and give the coating additional strength. The applied layer becomes uniform, the composition is easy to work with using rollers or paint brushes.

How to dilute paint and varnish (2 videos)

Various products (20 photos)

Parquet chemicals are a group of products used to protect and decorate wood floor, wall and ceiling coverings. This includes varnishes and paints, primers and putties, stains and tints, adhesives, antiseptics, solvents and thinners. A large number of wood varnishes purchased in the store is in most cases a liquid, ready-to-apply mixture. The question arises: is it possible, and how to dilute the varnish, if it is too viscous?

When diluting the varnish, the main thing is to perform the correct proportions.

To answer this question, several factors must be taken into account. First, we turn our attention to the key composition of the mixture. Second, select the desired solvent. Third, when mixing, we observe proportions so as not to reduce the quality of the material. Let us consider in more detail how thickened varnish can be diluted and how to do it according to the rules? And also, what to use to remove the old coating with a protective effect from wood and what is the care of the tool?

Dilute, dilute or dissolve

At first glance, there is no difference. With help special remedy we bring the lacquer substance into a “working state”. A solvent is a liquid that dissolves the dried varnish, bringing it from a solid to a liquid state. We use a thinner if it is required to correct (reduce) the viscosity of paints.

Certain types of organic eluents serve two roles, but some may be effective in one task and completely useless in another. So, for example, compositions of polyurethane, alkyd and oil groups can be diluted with white spirit. However, if the varnish has dried up, it will not work to dissolve it with white spirit.

With the help of white spirit, you can dilute certain varnishes

But shellacs, on the contrary, equally dissolve and dilute with denatured alcohol. However, we will not go into such subtle details.

If you need advice on how to dilute the varnish or what to use to dilute the paints, it is better to consult with specialists.

Polyurethane blends

Polyurethane-based varnishes, paints, primers, adhesives, and more contain polyurethane, a modern polymer material. The combination of its parameters surpasses such famous materials as rubber, plastic, rubber, metal. To obtain paint and varnish and adhesive solutions of high strength, in commercial production it (polyurethane) is mixed with special chemicals.

A lot of varnishes are made on the basis of polyurethane and on the basis of water. This chemistry for parquet is environmentally friendly and non-toxic.

If necessary, to make the substance more liquid, you can use as a diluent for polyurethane-based compositions:

• toluene;
• xylene;
• acetone;
• eluents like R-4, R-5.

Acetone - a modern means for diluting varnishes based on polyurethane

Alkyd mixtures

Alkyd compounds have good adhesion, moisture resistance, insensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, and reliability. They can be used for indoor and outdoor work. Alkyd mixtures have main element, organic solvents, driers (for quick setting), additives. The key element could be:

• pentaphthalic resin;
• glyphthalic resin with cottonseed oil;
• mixture of melamine-formaldehyde and alkyd resins.

To enhance the parameters of materials, parts of alkyd resins are often included in the composition of multicomponent varnishes, paints, and enamels. The classic diluent here is white spirit.

Bituminous mixtures

Bituminous varnish is a mixture of specialized grade bitumen, a variety of resins and oils. After drying, a strong black film will appear on the surface, moisture resistant, insensitive to chemicals. It is considered quite new in domestic use material. Belongs to the category of inexpensive. It is more commonly used as an anti-corrosion layer for protection.

For wooden surfaces it is used when it is not necessary to highlight the natural texture of the base (instead of paints). Bituminous material has found use as a decorative coating for the effect of surface aging (patina). Another original characteristic of bituminous mixtures is cool gluing. The bitumen-based solution is diluted with white spirit.

So that it does not thicken during storage, the container must be airtight. The storage place should be dark (without direct sunlight), with moderate temperature and humidity.

Bituminous varnish very reliably protects the surface from moisture and chemical influences, diluted with white spirit

Yacht varnishes

Yacht (or yacht) varnish is considered one of the very effective means of protecting the surface of natural wood. Already from the name, the specifics of the sphere where it is used are clear. In addition, the yacht composition is perfect for woodwork outside and inside any objects (not only boats, boats, yachts). It is insensitive to manifestations of moisture, temperatures, aggressive environments.

Yacht varnish. Important Features:

• high degree of protection of wooden structures;
• physical and mechanical immunity to environmental influences;
• durability, increase the service life of wood.

To achieve such results, poisonous chemical elements (toluene, xylene) are used during the manufacture of the material. There are several production technologies:

• alkyd yacht (based on organic solvent white spirit);
• urethane-alkyd yacht (eluent is the same, but in smaller quantities);
• alkyd-urethane yacht (dissolving additives have strong volatility);
• acrylates (compositions based on water).

Dilutes yacht varnish with white spirit, no more than 5% of the total volume. The solvent acts on the substance only fresh. After drying, the lacquered flooring of the parquet will become resistant.

Lacquer for yachts, boats, boats has a high resistance to wear and is also diluted with white spirit

How to remove dry polish

Above, for the most part, are listed ways to improve the consistency if the varnish has thickened. And what needs to be done to remove varnishes and paints from painting tools? Can the synthetic material be removed from the wood after application?

It will simply not work to remove outdated furniture or parquet varnish from the surface of the tree. In most cases, where it is realistic, scraping or grinding is used. For non-mechanical removal, the type of solvent is selected personally. Takes into account the key composition and Chemical properties varnishing.

The easiest way to remove already unsuitable parquet flooring with a protective effect is to use a specialized remover. The substance is a chemical mixture. You can use liquid, gel or powder. Acetone copes with the simplest types of paints and varnishes. Denatured alcohol is more suitable for removing shellac.

First, a liquid, gel or powder is applied to the varnish surface. Then you need to wait for the softening of the film. To speed up the process, it is recommended to cover the finished surface with polymeric ethylene. Over time (from 40 minutes to 4 hours), the outdated varnish will begin to swell, darken. What to do next?

To remove softened varnish, it is more convenient to use a spatula. It is necessary to work carefully so as not to damage the surface of the wood. What to do if the old protection coating was not completely removed the first time? If necessary, finishing can be repeated.

To remove the remains of a substance from painting tools, the following are used:

1. With a warm water-soap solution, water-based parquet varnish is washed off freshly;
2. White spirit, kerosene, turpentine are suitable for many organic solvent based paints. The remains of the substances are perfectly rinsed out, then the instrument is washed with some kind of household chemical and rinsed thoroughly in water.

When choosing the type of eluent for diluting paint and varnish mixtures, the main thing is to carefully study the composition, and also use the manufacturer's advice indicated on the package.

You need to remember about personal protective equipment, especially if you have to work with strong-smelling, quick-drying compounds. Ventilation of the room during and after work will protect against poisoning by toxic fumes. Keep these materials away from children.

Matte lacquer for car painting. Click on the photo to enlarge.

Cosmetic repairs of the car body, including the elimination of minor irregularities and damages, as well as painting and its accompanying preparatory procedures, is a process that takes a lot of time and effort.

But as a result, the car will look like new, so all efforts will be justified!

When the body is puttied, sanded, primed and painted, it is the turn of varnishing. The question arises: how to dilute the varnish?

All car paint products have detailed instructions manufacturer's instructions, but we want to give you some more practical advice.

Preparation of the working composition for varnishing

Before diluting the varnish and adding the necessary additional ingredients to it, all of them must be carefully filtered. The ideal option is a disposable mesh filter, which can be bought at the same place where car paints and varnishes are sold, but ordinary nylon stockings can also be used.

Every ingredient in its place

The mixture for varnishing is prepared in a separate container. Do not mix too much at once, because under the action of additives the varnish thickens quickly enough. It is better to dilute an additional portion. Lacquer is added:

• hardener (about 50% or other proportion indicated on the package);
• anti-silicone (5-7%), which will make the paintwork resistant to craters, large dust particles and grease stains;
• accelerator (2-3%), which reduces the drying time of the varnish. The accelerator is especially useful in the cold season, but may cause clouding of the varnish. If, after painting with varnish with an accelerator, such a nuisance nevertheless happened, do not worry: car polishing will successfully cope with it.

Of course, additives make the varnishing process faster and easier, and the resulting coating more durable, but the more such components the varnish contains, the greater the risk of side effects. The main thing in this matter is not to overdo it with the amount and concentration of additives.

Stirring is never too much

Another important component of the correct preparation of varnish for painting a car is the thorough mixing of the resulting mixture. If we consider the varnish at the molecular level, it turns out that its molecules begin to interact with the molecules of additives precisely when it is actively stirred. So periodically close the container with a lid and shake for 10-30 seconds. The result should be a completely homogeneous mixture.

Airbrush setting and auto varnish painting technique

If each type of paint requires a special setting of the spray gun, then for all varnishes the parameters are almost the same. Torch, paint and air supply - all this opens to the maximum. After making a few trial “puffs”, you yourself will understand whether something needs to be further adjusted.

Immediately before applying the varnish, it is better to blow off both the surface and your clothes and hands with a jet of compressed air in order to completely eliminate the ingress of dust and lint on freshly painted parts.

strength and attractive appearance paintwork depends not only on how to dilute the varnish, but also on how to apply it. If hard varnish (HS) is used for painting a car, then varnishing is carried out in one and a half to two layers, one of which is very thin, more like spraying, and the other is the main one. When working with a soft varnish (MS), it is necessary to apply at least 2-3 layers, as it is more liquid and fluid.

It is better to start the process of painting a car with varnish from the ends and recesses, and only then varnish the main surfaces. The spray gun is directed at an angle of 45 ° to the body. If it is necessary to change the varnish from hard to soft and vice versa, the transition is made in the narrowest and most inconspicuous place.