Paint
 

I just created an abortion. Bought what is supposed to be genuine Cub Cadet from someone on ebay. It looks like the real deal. It give no clue on the can. I assumed it was alkyd enamel and looked up what to use with same on the internet. It is in the mid 70s today so I choose VM&P naptha. At first everything seemed ok, but I thought it needed a bit more thinner and when I added more it separated into an absolute mess. So would anyone hazard a guess what is going on here? I guess it is clear I have something other than alkyd enamel.

You used the wrong stuff.

:Huh:

Are we to assume "paint"..??

post some pics.

I'm assuming he bought this or the yellow? BTW if it's OE why does it say year range is so vast when our paint code chart lists different shades of whites by serial number? This is from one of our sponsors too

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CUB-CADET-OR...item3f4a70a4bf

Reducer is used with enamel, seems it is likely enamel. Thinner will make it curdle.

Case IH ironguard enamel can be thinned with lacquer thinner.
"Thinner" is kind of a generic term. Lacquer-thinner, Naptha, Mineral Spirits are all "thinners".
Reducer is for specific paints. There are different ones for different temps, and some are also activators. They actually "activate" the paint. Once mixed in, the paint starts it's curing process and the pot has a life (usually rated in hours) where as thinners are just thinners. Adding them doesn't start a chemical process.

Don't know how old the paint is, but as a kid we used to thin enamel with Lacquer thinner and it worked well, but you cannot thin lacquer base paint with
mineral spirits/paint thinner/turpentine.
just an old rule of thumb.

Since there's been no pic posted yet I suppose I will just guess. Naptha is kind of oily and since you say it separated I'm betting its full of fish eye which is what happens when the paint job is contaminated with oil or silicone.

Yeah Some pics would be nice. It should say on the can what to use to thin/reduce it and what hardner to use. I've used van sickle and it calls for their hardner and naptha. Other makers use different solvents to thin their paints. Re-read the can it should tell you what to use. Post some pics a picture of the paint can and reducer and hardner would be nice. I'd say you used the wrong stuff to reduce it.