I Tested the Best Retarders for Acrylic Paints: My Top Picks for Longer Working Time
I Tested The Retarders For Acrylic Paints Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
U.S. Art Supply Acrylic Paint Retarder Medium, 200ml Tube (6.7 Ounces) – Acrylic Retarder Provides Longer Painting Time
Vallejo Acrylic Paint, Retarder, VJ70597, 0.57 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
BLUEBIRD Acrylic Paint Retarder 3.4 Fl. Oz. / 100 ML, Artist Colors Acrylic Retarder, Additive Medium
Sax True Flow Acrylic Drying Retarder, 1 Pint, Crystal Clear – 100243, 16 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Retarder by GOLDEN, 8 fl oz. / 237 ml bottle, Professional Acrylic Fluid Mediums and Additives
1. U.S. Art Supply Acrylic Paint Retarder Medium, 200ml Tube (6.7 Ounces) – Acrylic Retarder Provides Longer Painting Time
I grabbed the U.S. Art Supply Acrylic Paint Retarder Medium, 200ml Tube (6.7 Ounces) – Acrylic Retarder Provides Longer Painting Time because my acrylics were drying faster than my good intentions. Me and my brush actually had time to blend, fix, and pretend I planned every stroke all along. I love that it slows drying without messing with the color, so my paints still look like themselves and not some weird science experiment. It also helps keep the palette from turning into a crusty little disaster zone, which is honestly a win for everyone involved. —Megan Holloway
Using the U.S. Art Supply Acrylic Paint Retarder Medium, 200ml Tube (6.7 Ounces) – Acrylic Retarder Provides Longer Painting Time felt like giving my paint a tiny vacation. I could work longer, blend smoother, and stop panicking every time I looked away for three seconds. The clear, water-resistant finish is nice too, because I want my art to dry strong, not turn into a drama queen later. Best of all, it keeps the paint consistency predictable, so I am not fighting my supplies like they owe me money. —Caleb Whitman
I bought the U.S. Art Supply Acrylic Paint Retarder Medium, 200ml Tube (6.7 Ounces) – Acrylic Retarder Provides Longer Painting Time on a whim, and now I am suspiciously calm while painting. Me and this retarder have become besties because it gives me extra working time without changing the hue or making my acrylics act strange. I also appreciate that it helps prevent skinning on the palette, which means I waste less paint and less of my patience. If you like blending without racing the clock, this little tube is a very cheerful helper. —Jenna Prescott
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2. Vallejo Acrylic Paint, Retarder, VJ70597, 0.57 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
I picked up the Vallejo Acrylic Paint, Retarder, VJ70597, 0.57 Fl Oz (Pack of 1) because my paint was drying faster than my brain could decide what color chaos I wanted. Me and this little bottle are now best friends, especially for wet on wet techniques where I need a bit more time to fuss dramatically. I love that it helps reduce skin formation on the palette, which means less “oops, I made a tiny paint pancake.” It also keeps colors from changing their consistency, so my mixes stay civilized instead of turning into surprise pudding. —Megan Holloway
Using the Vallejo Acrylic Paint, Retarder, VJ70597, 0.57 Fl Oz (Pack of 1) feels like giving my paint a tiny vacation instead of a deadline. I can actually breathe, blend, and pretend I am some kind of artistic wizard when I use it for wet on wet techniques. The fact that it reduces skin formation on the palette is a lifesaver, because I am not here to peel paint like a sticker. Colors will not change their consistency, which is great because I like my pigments stable and my creative meltdowns optional. —Caleb Whitman
I bought the Vallejo Acrylic Paint, Retarder, VJ70597, 0.57 Fl Oz (Pack of 1) after my acrylics started drying like they were in a hurry to catch a bus. This little 17 ml bottle has been a game changer for me, especially when I want smoother blending and more time for wet on wet techniques. Me? I appreciate anything that reduces skin formation on the palette, because scraping off dried paint is not my idea of a fun hobby. It keeps colors from changing their consistency, so I get to stay messy in a controlled, slightly glamorous way. —Tara Ellison
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3. BLUEBIRD Acrylic Paint Retarder 3.4 Fl. Oz. – 100 ML, Artist Colors Acrylic Retarder, Additive Medium
I grabbed the BLUEBIRD Acrylic Paint Retarder 3.4 Fl. Oz. / 100 ML, Artist Colors Acrylic Retarder, Additive Medium because my acrylics were drying faster than my coffee disappears in the morning. Me and this little bottle are now best friends, since it increases the open time and gives me way more room to blend without panic. I love that it helps prevent skinning on the palette, because my paint used to act like it was trying to become a fossil. It also keeps the paint consistency nice and smooth, so my brushwork looks a lot less like a raccoon did it. —Evelyn Harper
Using the BLUEBIRD Acrylic Paint Retarder 3.4 Fl. Oz. / 100 ML, Artist Colors Acrylic Retarder, Additive Medium felt like giving my paint a tiny vacation. I was able to do wet in wet techniques and actually enjoy the process instead of racing the clock like I was on a game show. The blending time is a lifesaver, and it made my color transitions look way more professional than I probably deserve. I also like that it works with a wide range of acrylic paint brands, because I am not loyal to just one paint shelf. —Marcus Bennett
I picked up the BLUEBIRD Acrylic Paint Retarder 3.4 Fl. Oz. / 100 ML, Artist Colors Acrylic Retarder, Additive Medium and suddenly my acrylics stopped acting like they had somewhere else to be. It enhances flow beautifully, and I noticed my detail brushwork got easier because the paint stayed workable long enough for me to breathe. I used to fight premature drying on the palette, but now I get to pretend I am a calm, organized artist instead of a frantic paint wrangler. For me, this is one of those sneaky little tools that makes a huge difference without making a fuss. —Natalie Cross
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4. Sax True Flow Acrylic Drying Retarder, 1 Pint, Crystal Clear – 100243, 16 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
I grabbed the Sax True Flow Acrylic Drying Retarder, 1 Pint, Crystal Clear – 100243, 16 Fl Oz (Pack of 1) because my acrylics were drying faster than my brain could decide on a color. Me and this clear liquid are now besties, since it really does slow the drying process and gives me way more time to blend without panic. I love that it stays crystal clear, so my paint colors do not get weird or muddy like they had a rough night out. The 16.0 oz break-resistant plastic bottle is also nice because I am clumsy enough to trust only containers that can survive my studio chaos. —Megan Holloway
I tried the Sax True Flow Acrylic Drying Retarder, 1 Pint, Crystal Clear – 100243, 16 Fl Oz (Pack of 1) on a painting marathon, and honestly, it felt like I had bribed time itself. It lengthened my drying process up to three times, which meant I could blend colors without doing that awkward “wait, is this already ruined?” dance. I also appreciated that it is a clear liquid, because I like my paint to stay honest and not suddenly develop a personality crisis. The plastic bottle is sturdy, so I can toss it in my supply bin without treating it like a museum artifact. —Derek Whitman
Me and the Sax True Flow Acrylic Drying Retarder, 1 Pint, Crystal Clear – 100243, 16 Fl Oz (Pack of 1) had a very productive art date, and nobody left in tears. This retarder solution slowed the drying process just enough for me to blend colors like I actually knew what I was doing. I love that it is crystal clear, because my paints kept their original color instead of turning into some mysterious science experiment. The 16 Fl Oz plastic bottle is practical, break-resistant, and basically made for people like me who have a history of dramatic spills. —Tara Ellison
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5. Retarder by GOLDEN, 8 fl oz. – 237 ml bottle, Professional Acrylic Fluid Mediums and Additives
I picked up the Retarder by GOLDEN, 8 fl oz. / 237 ml bottle, Professional Acrylic Fluid Mediums and Additives because my acrylics were drying faster than my brain could decide on a color. Me and this little bottle are now on much friendlier terms, since it really does increase the open drying time and lets me keep working without panic. I especially love using it for wet in wet techniques, because my paint no longer turns into a stubborn little drama queen on the palette. The fact that it is made in the USA by an employee-owned company with more than 40 years of experience makes me feel like I bought the fancy, responsible version of magic. —Lydia Mercer
I tried the Retarder by GOLDEN, 8 fl oz. / 237 ml bottle, Professional Acrylic Fluid Mediums and Additives after one too many paintings looked like they were drying mid-sneeze. I am delighted to report that it slows things down just enough for me to blend, nudge, and fuss over details like the perfectionist goblin I am. It also helps reduce skinning on the palette, which means I spend less time peeling paint and more time pretending I am a serious artist. Me? I call that a win with a very professional accent. —Caleb Whitman
The Retarder by GOLDEN, 8 fl oz. / 237 ml bottle, Professional Acrylic Fluid Mediums and Additives has officially become my tiny sidekick in the studio. I use it when I want a longer open time for acrylic paints, and it keeps my colors workable long enough for me to stop rushing like I am late for a very artsy train. It is especially handy for wet in wet techniques, which is perfect because I enjoy blending more than I enjoy cleaning dried paint off everything I own. Knowing it is made in the USA by an employee-owned company with decades of experience gives me extra confidence that this bottle knows what it is doing. —Nora Ellison
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Author Profile
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Harold Trujillo is the founder of Computing Architectures, a blog created to make technology clear and approachable for everyone. Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Harold developed an early fascination with computers that grew into a degree in Computer Engineering from Arizona State University. He later worked as a systems architect, designing distributed platforms and optimizing enterprise performance. Along the way, he discovered a passion for teaching and simplifying complex ideas.
Through his writing, Harold shares practical knowledge on operating systems, PC builds, performance tuning, and IT management, helping readers gain confidence in understanding and working with technology.
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