Paint Retarder and Leveller

What is paint retarder?

Retarder, or leveller, is an additive that slows the drying time of paint. It is used to achieve high gloss finishes by allowing the paint to level on the surface before setting. This is useful for airbrushing and also brush painting. For brush painting the brush marks are highly reduced due to the slower drying paint.

The correct retarder/leveller must be used for the corresponding type of paint or there will be incompatibility with the mixture.

Lacquer retarder is used only with solvent based Lacquer paints.
The range is:
SMS Leveller.
Tamiya Paint Retarder (Lacquer).
Mr Retarder Mild.

Alcohol Acrylic retarder is used on Tamiya acrylic and Mr Hobby Aqueous paints.
The range is:
Tamiya Paint Retarder (Acrylic).

Water acrylic retarder is used with pure water based paints such as Vallejo or artist style gouache paint.
The range is:
Vallejo Retarder Medium.