You’ve probably noticed that we did not mention 4012 in the title of this article. That’s because Createx is discontinuing it. It’s not even on their official Createx Tech website and will become unavailable soon. We’re still carrying 4012 in our additive’s selection at the moment of publication of this article, but that may change any day.
Let’s start with 4011 Reducer – it’s recommended by the manufacturer as a “go-to” standard reducer for all the paints Createx Colors offer, including the candy2o line and sealers.
How exactly does this reducer work? As you may know, Createx paints are water-based. When the 4011 reducer is mixed with any of these paints, it breaks down water’s surface tension within the paint. That leads to better flow in an airbrush or spray gun, and better leveling on a surface.
How to reduce Createx paints properly? Small steps are the best approach. If too much reducer is added at once, it can shock paint and lead to seeding/chunking and clogging airbrush/spray gun as a result. Start with 5% or so. Don’t have to be super precise, eyeballing is fine but try to be close to 5%, no more than 10% at a time. 4011 reducer is quite effective and even 5% can significantly change the way paint sprays. For best performance, after adding reducer to the paint, let it sit for 10 minutes. That would allow reducer to acclimate with the paint and you will see the best effect. If 5-10% was not enough, you can repeat the procedure and add reducer again. It is not recommended to add more than 20% reducer. Please don’t use it to add transparency to the paint. If you’re trying to make the paint more transparent, use resins such as 4004 for harder surfaces or 5601 for flexible or fabric surfaces. 4030 or 4050 UVLS clear also a good choice for hard surface. There are no pot life limitations after reducing Createx paint with 4011 reducers, but it will speed up the evaporation of the water so make sure you keep paints in closed bottles.
How’s 4013 reducer different from 4011? 4013 is an interesting additive. Flammable, so make sure to keep it in a fire-proof cabinet. Flammable as a result of isopropyl alcohol in this product. It helps to flush water from the paint which reduces drying time on the surface, and it also reduces tip drying. That’s why some artists prefer to use this reducer when airbrushing.
How to properly reduce Createx paints with 4013? The small steps approach applies here as well. If too much reducer is added at once, it can shock paint and lead to seeding/chunking and clogging airbrush/spray gun as a result. Start with 5% or so. Don’t have to be super precise, eyeballing is fine but try to be close to 5%, no more than 10%. 4013 reducer is effective and even 5% can significantly change the way paint sprays. For best performance, after adding reducer to the paint, let it sit for 10 minutes. That would allow reducer to acclimate with the paint and you will see the best effect. If 5-10% was not enough, you can repeat the procedure and add reducer again. It is not recommended to add more than 20% reducer. Don’t use it to add transparency to the paint. If you’re trying to make the paint more transparent, use resins such as 4004 for harder surfaces or 5601 for flexible or fabric surfaces. 4030 or 4050 UVLS clear also a good choice for hard surface.
Should I choose 4013 over 4011? We always recommend trying 4011 first as an official “go-to” reducer. If for some reason it does not satisfy your needs, feel free to reach out to SprayGunner’s Support Team so we can help you figure out your case and give recommendations. 4013 could be what you need, or perhaps 4020. In short, 4013 could be a better choice for small nozzle airbrush use, while 4020 is an additive for high-humidity environments.
When should I use Createx 4020 reducer? 4020 reducer contains acetone. Designed to improve the drying and curing of the paint in humid conditions. It’s the most aggressive additive in Createx Colors collection and is recommended to be used as a reducer of a reducer, meaning mixing it with 4011 instead of directly to the paint.
How to reduce Createx Paints with 4020 reducer? 4020 contains acetone and as a result, it’s quite aggressive. It is recommended to mix 4020 with 4011 reducer first. Start with a 3:1 ratio (3 parts of 4011 to 1 part of 4020). If you feel that the paint is still not drying fast enough, the ratio can be brought up to 1:1. Make a cocktail of 4011+4020 first and then use it to reduce your paint the same way as you would do with just 4011. Around 5% at a time, allow it to sit for 10 minutes to acclimate before putting it into a spray gun/airbrush. Reduce only the amount of paint you plan to use the same day. 4020 significantly reduces shelf life of the paint.