Melt Down vs. EZ Flow: What's the Difference?

Refinishers often ask us to explain the difference between Melt Down and EZ Flow. While both enhance your finish, they’re built for entirely different purposes. Used correctly—and together—they can produce jaw-dropping results. Let’s break it down:

Melt Down: Urethane Repair Blender for Spot Repairs

Purpose: Melt Down is designed to eliminate the hard dry edge (the dreaded “halo”) that forms around spot repairs in cured coatings. It chemically softens the perimeter of the cured urethane surface, allowing new and old coatings to blend seamlessly.

How Melt Down Works (On a Chemical Level)

Melt Down uses a precise blend of solvents and catalysts to temporarily soften cured urethane. This allows the new patch to chemically melt into the old coating. Picture it like softening an ice cube with warm air—just enough to allow water to blend into the puddle. Pigments are softened too, removing visible overlap. A built-in catalyst reinforces the new/old junction, making the blend zone strong and durable.

Gloss Impact

Because Melt Down reflows the surface texture, it smooths the finish and restores uniform gloss. This is NOT the same as over-reducing the paint; it’s better. You achieve deep, clean gloss without haze.

How to Use Melt Down

1. Spray the repair as normal.
2. Mist Melt Down over the edge before the fresh coat flashes.
3. Watch the blend—the edge will melt and disappear.
4. Let cure—no buffing or sanding needed.

Pro Tip: Use it sparingly. Fog only the perimeter. Overapplication can lead to runs.

Advanced Tip: Before applying your final coat, open your spray cup and add 1 ounce of Melt Down to the existing mixture. Stir thoroughly to ensure it's fully blended. Since you've just altered the viscosity by adding Melt Down, adjust your fluid control knob down to compensate—this helps prevent sags or runs during application. For the final pass, a fine mist of this adjusted mix can dramatically enhance the finish, delivering a deep, high-gloss look comparable to a basecoat-clearcoat automotive finish.

Key Benefits of Melt Down

• Seamless blending of old and new coatings
• Eliminates halos and dry edges
• Includes built-in catalyst for durability
• Compatible with most 2K urethane topcoats
• Achieves professional-grade finish fast

EZ Flow: Gloss Enhancer & Flash Retarder for Finish Coats

Purpose: EZ Flow is a wetting agent and flash retarder additive for fresh 2K urethane or epoxy coatings. It improves flow, levels the finish, and dramatically enhances gloss—especially on full resprays.

What’s Inside: MAK (Methyl Amyl Ketone)

MAK is a slow-evaporating solvent with a high boiling point and moderate KB value. These properties make it an ideal flash retarder and flow control agent. It keeps the coating wet longer so it can self-level beautifully.

How EZ Flow Works

1. Added to the coating before spraying
2. Slows flash-off, extending wet time
3. Paint self-levels, reducing orange peel, lap marks, and dry spray
4. Final result is a smoother, glossier, more professional finish

EZ Flow doesn’t over-thin the paint or compromise resin strength. It slows drying without weakening solids.

Gloss Impact

By extending wet time, EZ Flow helps the paint flow out smooth and flat. Less texture = more light reflection = more gloss. It can turn a standard topcoat into a mirror-like finish.

Mixing & Use

• Add 5–10% by volume after catalyzing your paint
• Adjust ratio based on temperature, equipment, and coating type
• Mix thoroughly and spray as normal

Pro Tips:

• Use lighter coats on verticals to avoid runs
• Expect longer flash between coats—don’t rush
• Never overdose

Key Benefits of EZ Flow

• Prevents dry spray and lap marks
• Dramatically improves gloss and leveling
• Extends pot life by ~33%
• Simple to use – just mix into paint
• Ideal for turbine HVLP, warm weather, or fast-dry coatings

Comparison Chart

BUY NOW	BUY NOW