Acrylic retarder

{{short description|Substance added to acrylic paints}} In painting, a '''retarder''' is a substance, usually a glycol and usually added to water, that is used to slow the drying time of acrylic paints, giving more time for blending or layering highlights.

==Use in fine art== Retarders are used to counter the fast drying properties of acrylic paints, making possible the usage of wet-on-wet or other techniques which would otherwise require oil paints. When used correctly, they can keep the paint wet from half an hour extra to a full day's working time. Applying too much retardant, however, can prevent a layer from drying correctly for as long as the retardant is present, causing future damage to the painting unless the affected layer of paint is removed or re-mixed.

==Content== They generally contain glycol (such as propylene glycol) or glycerin-based additives.

== Homemade == For homemade acrylic retarder, water glycerol down about 5:1 (water: glycerol) and apply to paint.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paintingclinic.com/clinic/guestarticles/retarder.htm |title=Home Made Acrylic Retarders |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515215304/http://www.paintingclinic.com/clinic/guestarticles/retarder.htm |archive-date=15 May 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Painting materials *