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Leon, the term synthetic enamel pretty well covers the alkyd based paints,, alkyd is a synthetic resin widely used in the manufacture of cheaper paints. On the other hand acrylic enamel is a different resin based paint. ~I'm no paint expert so all I know is what I personally know & work with.. The synthetic [alkyd based] paints are on the low end of the modern paint technology. They are relatively cheap to purchase & do shine good for a while & are mostly used for equipment or industrial painting.. The acrylic enamels use a different acrylic resin that dries much harder, the acrylic's are also more durable.. Most acrylic or synthetic enamels will air dry just fine if given enough time & oxygen.. ~You say... Quote: "Further isn't it strange that I know a guy who uses Transtar, Autobodies Technologies, Inc., 8078 Wet Look Acrylic Enamel Catalyst in JD Classic Green Enamel and gets a really beautiful, wet look, paint job. Should an Acrylic enamel catalyst work as a hardener in a synthetic enamel? It sure seems to"....>>>Answ. I can't answer that question based on any great paint knowledge but in my experience & due to the chemical differences between synthetic [alkyd] & acrylic enamels I doubt there is much chemical linking of acrylic enamel hardener to the synthetic paints.. If there was a gain to be had the paint manufacturers wouldn't be selling or recommending different types of hardeners for the different based paints.. I have heard other opinions that using acrylic wet look hardener in the synthetic paints make them shinny .. I don't doubt that,, that but you have to remember that painting synthetic enamel with a high quality synthetic reducer will also make it flow out better & leave it shinier [just don't confuse hardener & hard paint with shinny paint,, it's the drying times & chemical link up for durability that the hardener effects] ....I have used expensive urethane paint reducer [that's a very fine grade of reducer] when I have run out of synthetic reducer & that also leaves a very shinny Deere paint.. In my opinion [take that for what it's worth] using an expensive acrylic enamel wet look hardener in synthetic enamel is not gaining anything & it's just a very expensive fine reducer.. Now there could be an additive in the "wet look" hardeners that promote better flow out & gloss over but as far as a better hardener? I doubt it even hardens the synthetic's at all.. ~The absolute BEST advice I can give you is to call the paint hot line or Tec line of the paint product you are working with & get their advise. Most paint companies will tell you not to mix their products , or mix their product with other's products.. [email protected]
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