This is a liquid solvent that is most commonly used to remove paint from tools, and brushes and to thin down paints. They are formulated from 100% petroleum distillates with no additives.
Mineral spirits are often used as a substitute for turpentine when you are thinning paint or cleaning up oil-based paint from brushes, rollers, and equipment.
Mineral spirits are flammable. They can cause headaches, skin irritation, dizziness, and other common conditions if you are exposed to them for long periods of time, or if you inhale them or get them in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
What is Paint Thinner?
A solvent that can be used to thin paint or to remove paint from tools like brushes, and rollers. Paint thinners are made from different chemicals and they are effective on different types of paint or surface areas. For all intents and purposes, mineral spirits are actually categorized as a type of paint thinner.
Read our recent content on how to thin paint for sprayer guns.
Paint Thinners Include
Naphtha
Naphtha is a highly flammable liquid mixture derived from petroleum distillates, the condensation from natural gas, and the distillation of coal tar. It is a substance that can cause serious breathing complications.
It can burn and irritate the skin if you come into contact with it. It can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting from long exposure. It can irritate the lining of the nose and throat. It can irritate and inflame the eyes.
It is far more powerful than mineral spirits so you use much less, but it is also far more dangerous and more likely to damage the surface material if not used properly.
Acetone
The basic ingredients in acetone are benzene and propylene. It also contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen elements. It is clear and highly flammable. Acetone can cause irritation of the lungs, nose, and throat. It can irritate the eyes.
It can cause headaches, rapid pulse, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and dizziness. It has been connected to reducing the menstrual cycles of women who are exposed to it frequently and causing people to pass out or go into a coma. It is a skin irritant.
It is a powerful solvent but should only be used on oil-based products and should really be used on paints that contain epoxy or hardening materials. It is not as safe as mineral spirits.
Toluene
The main ingredient in toluene is benzene. It is a common ingredient in paint thinners, lacquers, explosives, and glues. It is a colorless liquid that has a sweet and pungent odor.
It is an irritant to human skin, eyes, throat, nose, and lungs. It can cause nausea, headaches, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, burning irritations of the skin, unconsciousness, and possible death.
To learn more about using of caulk finishing tools read this content,
Turpentine
Turpentine is made from pine tree resin. Turpentine can be an additive in some medicinal treatments. It has been associated with joint pain relief, muscle pain relief, killing the infection, relieving toothaches, and even nerve pain.
It can also be used to thin paint or clean paint brushes and equipment.
It is used on ointments and salves in very minute amounts and can actually cause headaches, sleeplessness, coughing, bleeding in the lungs, vomiting, kidney damage, brain damage, coma, and death.
It is an effective paint thinner but it costs more than mineral spirits and has a lot more possible dangers connected to it.
When a label specifies a product as being a paint thinner then, it is normally a combination of ingredients that have the ability to thin oil-based paints.
Why Use Paint Thinner Instead of Mineral Spirits?
Paint thinner combinations are usually less expensive than pure mineral spirits.
Some paint thinners are stronger than mineral spirits so it takes less of the product and they remove the paint in a shorter amount of time.
Thinners like turpentine are more effective on dried or baked-on paints.
When to Not Use Paint Thinner?
- If you are working around any source of flame, paint thinners are highly flammable.
- If you are not in a well-ventilated area.
- If you do not know where to dispose of the leftovers or used materials.
- Never use paint thinner on latex paint. To thin latex paint, you add water, and to clean up a latex spill you use warm water and soap.
- Do not use it as a fire accelerant.
- Never apply paint thinner to an asphalt surface it will soften the asphalt and leave lasting damage.
Why Use Mineral Spirits Instead of Other Paint Thinners?
Mineral spirits have less odor than the majority of all other substances used as paint thinner. They do not tend to be as offensive smelling and you can tolerate them in smaller spaces better.
Mineral spirits are safer to use because minerals are less toxic than most products labeled as paint thinners.
When you use mineral spirits, the paint will dry to a smoother finish than when you use some other paint-thinning alternatives.
Mineral spirits are less likely to damage the surface materials. You can use them on more delicate materials without fear of damage. They can be used to remove grease from auto parts without damaging the auto parts.
They can be used around the house to clean away scuff marks made by shoes. They can be used to remove waxy films from surfaces prior to painting.
They are effective at removing the residue left from price tags and stickers applied to items at the manufacturing facility. Mineral spirits evaporate more slowly so it allows the paint to create a more level coat that is consistent.
When to Not Use Mineral Spirits?
- If you are cleaning up latex paint do not use mineral spirits. You only need to use soap and water to remove latex paint.
- When you are trying to buy the cheapest paint thinner do not select mineral spirits. They often cost a lot more than some other paint thinners.
- If you have an open container of mineral spirits that is more than 6 months old then you should dispose of the contents and buy a new bottle. They lose their potency over long periods of time.
- Do NOT use mineral spirits to remove oil or paint from asphalt. It will damage the asphalt. Do not use mineral spirits as a liquid fire-starting accelerant.
Final Thoughts
Generally speaking, mineral spirits and paint thinners are interchangeable substances. They are effective at removing fresh paint, but neither are really good at removing cured paint. They can be used to thin paint and they are effective at cleaning paint brushes, sprayers, and other tools.
Pure mineral spirits are commonly less harsh than most chemical-laden paint thinners. They are not as likely to damage your surfaces and they are not as likely to cause a break-down in the fibers and hairs of paintbrushes and paint roller covers.
Mineral spirits cost a little more than some paint thinners. You are worth the extra cost, and to be honest you may use a lot less of the pure mineral spirits during clean-up than you would many of the paint thinners.
Frequently Asked Question
Can I Pour Mineral Spirits Down the Drain?
No. They can contaminate the water supply. You need to locate a disposal center. If you do not know the location of a disposal center the local fire department in your area should be able to help you find one.
If I Breathe in Mineral Spirits, will I Pass out?
You will more than likely not pass out if you breathe in mineral spirits. If you breathe in paint thinners containing benzene there is a high probability that you will become unconscious for at least a short period of time.
Can Denatured Alcohol be Used Instead of Mineral Spirits?
In many cases, denatured alcohol is quite effective at removing paint and cleaning paint brushes and rollers.
