How do I mix paint at a 4:1:1 ratio?

Four volumes of paint, one of catalyst, one of reducer, six parts total. Per gallon of mix that is 128 × 4/6 = 85.33 ounces of paint and 21.33 each of catalyst and reducer. Double for a two-gallon pot.

Is the basis per gallon of paint or mix?

Per gallon of total mix, as every row states. A card computed per gallon of paint would pour 32 ounces of catalyst against 128 of paint, a batch half again larger than the pot expects.

What happens if the catalyst ratio is off?

Both directions fail, invisibly at first. Under-catalyzed film stays soft and loses chemical resistance; over-catalyzed film embrittles and pot life collapses. Measure the catalyst pour, never estimate it.

Can I change the ratio to fix viscosity?

No. Viscosity lives in the reducer and only within the TDS reduction range; the paint-to-catalyst ratio is chemistry, not preference. If in-range reduction cannot reach spray viscosity, temperature or a different reducer grade is the answer.

Finishing calculator

Paint Mix Ratio Calculator

Turn the can's mix ratio into pour quantities. Enter the four components' parts by volume; the page returns ounces per gallon of total mix.

What this calculator does

Mix ratio components converted to fluid ounces per gallon of total mix, scaled to any pot.

Formula used

Total ratio parts = paint + catalyst + reducer + additive
Component per gallon of mix = 128 fl oz × component parts ÷ total ratio parts
For any pot: multiply each figure by the pot's gallons of total mix

Inputs explained

Paint Component: Base coating's share of the ratio by volume.
Catalyst Component: Hardener or activator share by volume, per the TDS.
Reducer Component: Thinner or reducer share by volume, within the TDS range.
Additive Component: Accelerator, flex or flattening agent parts; zero if unused.

How to use the result

Best suited to converting a can ratio into pour quantities, posting bench cards in ounces per gallon, checking pours before mixing an expensive system.
Weight-basis ratios need density conversions this page does not carry. The page sizes the pour; it does not check pot life. Metered plural-component equipment does not use batch pours.

Current U.S. benchmarks

Industrial electricity averages 9.77 cents per kWh across the U.S. (EIA, Jul 2026), up 4.7% from a year earlier. Energy-intensive steps carry this directly into unit cost.
The producer price index for industrial chemicals stands at 336.006 (BLS, Aug 2026), up 13.3% from a year earlier. Quotes priced off last quarter's material cost miss this move.
The U.S. has 14,543 chemical manufacturing establishments employing about 911,245 workers (Census County Business Patterns, 2023).

Common questions

How do I mix paint at a 4:1:1 ratio? Four volumes of paint, one of catalyst, one of reducer, six parts total. Per gallon of mix that is 128 × 4/6 = 85.33 ounces of paint and 21.33 each of catalyst and reducer. Double for a two-gallon pot.
Is the basis per gallon of paint or mix? Per gallon of total mix, as every row states. A card computed per gallon of paint would pour 32 ounces of catalyst against 128 of paint, a batch half again larger than the pot expects.
What happens if the catalyst ratio is off? Both directions fail, invisibly at first. Under-catalyzed film stays soft and loses chemical resistance; over-catalyzed film embrittles and pot life collapses. Measure the catalyst pour, never estimate it.
Can I change the ratio to fix viscosity? No. Viscosity lives in the reducer and only within the TDS reduction range; the paint-to-catalyst ratio is chemistry, not preference. If in-range reduction cannot reach spray viscosity, temperature or a different reducer grade is the answer.

Last reviewed 2026-10-01.