Can you use Mixol to Tint Enamel Paint?

Yes, you can! Mixol Universal Stainers work well for tinting signwriting enamel paint (and many other things!); providing consistent colour results and mixing smoothly with oil-based enamels, they are the perfect addition to your tool kit.

Mixol multi-purpose stainer is a highly concentrated tint that can be added to almost any type of paint and/or coating materials.

Mixol is not a ready-made paint, but a binder-free concentrate. It can only be used when added to a ready made paint/material. Depending on the paint/material concerned, Mixol can be added up to a maximum of 10% by weight. But considering that it is highly concentrated, you can obtain best results by adding a minimum of Mixol. The colour chart offers a handy guide on what percentage to add:

Unlike some tints that may alter drying time or adhesion, Mixol does not negatively affect the flow, gloss, or durability of signwriting enamels.

Tips for Best Results:

• Start with small amounts – Mixol is highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way. Add gradually until you achieve the desired shade.
• Mix thoroughly – stir well to ensure even pigment distribution and avoid streaking.
• Test before application – although Mixol generally works without issues, testing on a small surface ensures you get the exact finish you want.

Signwriter Jack Hollands (Signwriting Jack) weighs in:

“I always carry Mixol with me, especially all the primary colours – red, green, blue, yellow, etc. It’s important to use the LW type, as these are lightfast, whereas the L type can fade in the sun.” (for more on different types, see our more detailed Mixol Blog Post).

“I also make sure to have ochre, burnt umber, black, and white on hand. The metallic shades are great too – you can mix them with gold size, and in a pinch, you can even use them to make paint. I’ve done this before on a job, just adding a little gold size and white Mixol to create a white base.

They’re really handy! Sometimes, when I’m doing matte gilding on glass, I’ll mix a bit of Mixol into the oil size to create a light glaze. This helps me see exactly where I’m painting before I go in with the reverse glass gilding.

It’s good stuff!”

For signwriters looking for a reliable tinting additive to add to their enamel colours, Mixol offers a simple and effective solution.

For more information follow the links below to Mixol:

Technical Information

Further Information

For an extensive description on general uses and compatibities, please see our MIXOL Blog Post