Awlgrip Reducers, Converters & Specialty Additives

Awlgrip Reducers, Converters & Specialty Additives: Engineering the Perfect Finish

Every flawless Awlgrip topcoat starts long before the first brushstroke or spray pass. The Awlgrip brand has built its reputation on complete, system-engineered coating solutions, and nowhere is that systems thinking more evident than in its lineup of Reducers, Converters & Specialty Additives. These products are not afterthoughts — they are the carefully formulated chemical partners that allow Awlgrip's world-class urethane and epoxy coatings to perform exactly as designed, in any climate, with any application method.

A Reducer for Every Condition

One of the most compelling aspects of Awlgrip's reducer lineup is its environmental precision. Rather than offering a single generic thinner, Awlgrip engineers reducers tuned for specific temperature windows and application techniques:

• T0001 Fast Spray Reducer — a fast-evaporating reducer for Awlgrip finishes in moderate temperatures, engineered to keep the paint film open for good flow while evaporating quickly enough to deliver dust-free times.
• T0002 Fast Spray Reducer — a fast-evaporating reducer for equipment cleaning and Awlgrip finishes in cooler temperatures.
• T0003 Standard Reducer — a standard reducer for Awlgrip finishes in moderate temperatures, ideal for the most common shop and boatyard conditions.
• T0005 Hot Weather Reducer — a hot-weather reducer for Awlgrip finishes in high temperatures, designed to slow evaporation and improve leveling when working above 85°F.
• T0031 Brushing Reducer — an epoxy reducer for brushing or rolling 545 Epoxy Primer or Awlquik Primer, and compatible with Awlgrip topcoats in brush and roller applications.
• T0073 Ultra Build Reducer — a specialized reducer for use with Ultra Build Primer, part of Awlgrip's dedicated high-build epoxy system.
• T0006 Epoxy Reducer — a standard epoxy reducer for various spray-applied Awlgrip primers.

All of the listed reducers for Awlgrip, Awlcraft 2000, and Awlcraft SE topcoats can be blended with each other in any ratio to fine-tune flow and evaporation rates, giving professional painters exceptional control over working time and finish quality.

Converters and Specialty Additives

Beyond reducers, Awlgrip's specialty additives extend the versatility of its coating systems in meaningful ways. The A0031 Awl-Brite Activator/Reducer is a key example: A0031 is a special blend of solvents and additives which is a required part of the AWL-BRITE PLUS mix, containing additives which stabilize the pot life of the mixture and initiate cure of the product. For non-skid deck applications, Griptex Non-Skid Additive is a polymer bead aggregate used to provide non-skid deck and step areas when mixed with an Awlgrip topcoat, and can even be spray-applied for a consistent, professional result. Meanwhile, Awlprep removes contaminants from finish primers and finishes, enhancing adhesion — a critical step before any topcoat application.

Why the Right Additives Matter

Awlgrip has set the standard in decorative yacht coatings worldwide, known for outstanding quality, a flawless finish, and continuous innovation backed by AkzoNobel expertise. That standard extends to every component in the system. Using the correct reducer, converter, or additive is not simply about achieving workable viscosity — it determines adhesion, cure time, surface hardness, and the long-term durability of the finished coat. These supplementary products are mixed in with coatings to achieve the right application characteristics, and are used to clean equipment and surfaces while also being blended into Awlgrip coatings to fine-tune flow and evaporation rates. Matching the right product to your coating system, ambient temperature, and application method is what separates a lasting marine finish from one that fails prematurely.