As the weather gets cooler we need to start thinking of changing our products we use and the procedures we go through. BASF manufactures there products to range from extra fast to extra slow to allow the material to flash and cure the same speed but at different temperatures.

Start by choosing one step faster reducer at a time, so if you using UR60 for your primer try dropping to UR50, go only one step at a time. This will speed up the flash time for you in the cooler weather.

Choose a faster hardener if you need the material to cure faster, only use hardener to control the cure not the flash, the flash is controlled by the reducer.

On panels that are cooler from sitting outside use a heat lamp on them before applying primer instead of after so you will cure from the inside out and not skin off the surface of the primer.

It is most important on topcoats as they are the final appearance. Step your reducer one step at a time faster in the basecoat, and if it gets real cool (about 50-65 degrees) you should put on slightly lighter coats to avoid you basecoat from moving too much after its applied.

The clears are ranged as well as the reducers and hardeners. The slowest of the clears would be the DC5300. As the temps get below 75-80 degrees you may think about DC5100 as it is slightly faster. when the temps drop below 60-70 degrees you may want to think about DC76 as it will dry faster than all the clears. This will all depend on the size of the job as well if the car is a complete or close you may want to stay away from the DC76and use DC5100.

Each clear uses different hardeners and reducers and as the job gets larger ( 4or more panels ) start to use the slower hardeners and reducers to slow down both cure and flash.

Some do's and do not's as the temperature goes down:

• Do try to use one step slower reducer than hardener so if you using DH42 use UR50-UR60 and if you choose DH46 try staying with UR70 or higher.
• Do try to heat panels before applying materials. This will eliminate a skin and a false flash.
• Do use accelerators in small amounts (one cap full per sprayable quart).
• Do allow material to flash before applying second and third coats as this will eliminate extremely slow flashes and cures and the possibility of runs.
• Do only use hardener to control cure and the reducer to control the flow and flash.
• Do try to keep your material in a warm area over night and not in a cold mix room.
• Do not apply thick heavy coats as this will create very long flash and cure times.