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I ordered a quart of lacquer and a quart of thinner (Behlens) from Woodcraft. Just recieved my order(shipping was quick, and it was packaged to survive an atomic bomb), and they sent me reducer instead of thinner.
I am not familiar with reducer, but I'm sure I probably could use it, especially spraying this time of year in No. VA. My problem is that I will be using preval units to spray with, and mixol pigments to color the lacquer(electric guitars, solid and semi trans colors). I think I really need to thin the finish a bit to aid spraying with the preval. Also, my plan was to keep a preval jar with a bit of thinner in it to switch out and help clear out the tube and nozzle of the preval unit between coats.
I could get in touch with Woodcraft. I'm sure they'd make it right, but I really don't want to wait another week while I ship the reducer back and they ship the thinner. Cash strapped and don't have the money at this time to just order the thinner or I'd have done that the first time.
Can I use the reducer to thin my lacquer for spraying in the preval without significant problems? If so, clue me in to a ratio of reducer to lacquer?
Also, will the reducer affect mix ratios or anything else regarding the mixol pigments?
Thanks for your help.

Edited to add: The Behlens stock # for the reducer I recieved is B611-06316.
Instructions on the can say to eliminate blushing or orange peel effect, mix their B610-01336 with this reducer. Is it possible the reducer I've been sent is a formulation more closely resembling their thinners?

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

I think I found my answer. According to StewMac, it's the same thing as a high quality thinner.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_supplies/Finishes_and_solvents/Behlen_Nitrocellulose_Stringed_Instrument_Lacquers/Behlen_Nitrocellulose_Lacquer_Reducer.html
I have an email in to Mohawk with this very question. I'll let you all know what their reply is.

_________________
Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Quote: From Mohawk
Yes, lacquer thinner and lacquer reducer are the same thing but all thinners and reducers are not the same solvent blends. Most will work interchangeably but can change the evaporation rate of the lacquer for the good or bad.

There was a day that lacquers were sold with higher viscosities and you had to thin them to spray them. Modern lacquers are supplied at a more ready to spray viscosity and we don't really thin them now. We do need to reduce the solids content when necessary to help control build and do so by adding reducer so that's where things changed from thinner to reducer. Reducer will thin the lacquer too but since its already at a lower viscosity you won't notice as much change there but you will notice the drop in solids content as the coating dries thinner than it does if you don't reduce it.

Phillip (end quote)

Looks like I'm good to go. Thanks.

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Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Good to know for those of us that don't know everything about lacquer. Thanks for sharing.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"