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Solvents
and thinners
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In this section
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Solvents and thinners
A solvent is a solution that breaks down the
essential properties of paints and varnishes, lacquer, shellac, oils, grease
and adhesive residues. There are many different kinds of solvents, each
performing a specific reaction (function) with a specific product. All
solvents, except for water, have a toxic effect on organic tissue, biochemical,
physiochemical and neurochemical. Use with care and always dispose of properly.
 Safety:
It is important to use caution with solvents. Always use appropriate protective
gear on all exposed body areas, especially the hands and eyes. Always work in a
well-ventilated room. Refrain from smoking of working near heat sources as many
solvents are flammable.
Safety:
All solvents should be properly disposed of at your local facility. find
Turpentine:
Turpentine is
an effective solvent for oil and alkyd based paints and varnishes, and removing
tar, grease and tree sap. Genuine turpentine has a strong odor and is becoming
less commonly used in the painting and art industries. Many substitute products
have arrived on the market that performs essentially the same function, with
less noxious vapors. Some of the substitutes include mineral spirits and
turpenoid.
Gum turpentine
Mineral spirits (White
spirits):
Mineral spirits is
a petroleum-based product. Mineral spirits is an oil based solvent ideally used
for thinning oil based exterior and interior varnishes, such as
oil varnish
, and paint products, as well as an efficient solvent for artist’s oil paints.
Turpenoid:
Turpenoid is a
turpentine substitute with limited odor, ideally suited for artist oil
painting.
Lacquer thinner:
Used to dilute,
dissolve and clean up of lacquer products. Typically too caustic for oil
paints, lacquer thinner is often used additionally for removing inks on metal,
and adhesive residue from a variety of surfaces. Lacquer thinner is very
strong and rapidly deteriorates many surfaces and fabrics. Always test
in inconspicuous area before use.
Denatured Alcohol:
A solvent primarily used to dilute and dissolve
shellac and aniline dyes. Denatured alcohol also acts as a semi-aggressive
cleaning agent. Always test on a non-visible surface before using denatured
alcohol for cleaning purposes.
MEK (methyl ethyl ketone):
A highly
caustic solvent. Always use protective hand and eyewear. Used to dissolve some
of the more determined paint problems. Removal of hardened paint on hardware
such as hinges and doorknobs by soaking in MEK are common uses for this
product. Always test before applying MEK on any object or surface as the
powerful solvent qualities of MEK can quickly damage or destroy the item.
Kerosene
Though typically used as a fuel, kerosene has
very strong solvent properties.
For ‘oil glazing’ in decorative finishing, kerosene is sometimes employed
to make the glaze ‘hot’, increasing the workable time with the glaze, as
well as ‘fusing’ with a glaze previously applied.
No more than a capful per gallon is used and adding kerosene to any
paint product is not recommended.
Safety:
Kerosene
is highly flammable. Always use in a well-ventilated area. Wear protective gear
over all exposed areas of the body. Do not smoke or use near any open heat
source.
Gasoline:
Typically used as a fuel, gasoline has very
strong solvent properties. Often used to remove grease, tar, and waxes.
Gasoline makes an excellent solvent for cleaning tools and metal parts.
Safety:
Gasoline
is highly flammable. Always use in a well-ventilated area. Wear protective gear
over all exposed areas of the body. Do not smoke or use near any open heat
source.
Acetone:
A moderately aggressive solvent. Acetone is
often used to clean glass, general dirt and grime. In restoration and
conservation practices acetone is often used to clean dirt, soot and grime from
paintings and furniture. It is also used for the slow dissolving of varnished
paintings, to clean, then re-varnish the painting.
Water:
Water acts as general solvent and thinner with
virtually all water based interior and exterior paints and varnishes. Most
latex, acrylic products break down in water. Artist acrylic paints ,
watercolor, gauche, tempura paint all use water as the dilution agent.
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