Conditions where a material has too little or too much reducer added.

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Reducer amount controls how thick or thin the coating is, which directly affects spray behavior and how the film builds and cures. When there isn’t enough reducer, the mixture stays too viscous for the spray gun, leading to poor atomization, roller-like spraying, orange-peel texture, dry spray, and inadequate leveling. The film may also cure imperfectly because solvents can’t flow out properly. When there’s too much reducer, the mix becomes too thin, reducing solids and film build, which lowers hiding power and gloss and can cause sag or runs in a vertical panel, with a finish that may feel softer or take longer to cure. These two extremes are the under-reduced and over-reduced conditions.