Short notes on thinner

Brief notes on Thinner

1. THINNER
Paint thinner is a solvent used to thin oil-based paints or clean up after their use. Commercially, solvents
labeled "Paint Thinner" are usually mineral spirits having a flash point at about 40 °C (104 °F). Thinners
can be used to thin oil paint to effect the flow of paint onto the canvas

Thinner is clear or usually colored that dries away by the evaporation of a solvent.

A lacquer thinner is a simple solution that breaks or dissolve down the thick properties of varnishes and
paints, lacquer, oils, grease and other strong adhesive material.

It is used to dissolve, dilute and clean up basic lacquer items in the house. Lacquer thinners are a little
caustic for oil paints and this may cause creaks in the sheen of the surface.

It may deteriorate the surfaces and fabrics of items in the house. You need to make sure that you apply

Applications of thinner

1 - Removing Tar
You can easily remove tar, tree sap and grease from surfaces in your house. Turpentine is a very helpful
lacquer thinner for oil and alkyd-based paints plus varnishes. In addition to that, other products have
showed up in the market and they perform the same tar-removing function with relatively less odorous
and toxic vapors. Some lacquer thinners even have mineral spirits.

2 - Dissolve Shellac and Aniline Dyes

Thinners are also used to dissolve shellac and aniline dyes. It contains denatured alcohol that acts like a
strong cleaning agent on the sheen and gloss of surfaces. Lacquer thinners can also be used for cleaning
purposes.

3 - Clean Paint Spots
With kerosene component in the thinner, you can use it as a strong solvent as well. It can remove
hardened stains and paint on knobs of doors and other spots. You can easily rub that stain off with a few
drops of lacquer thinner.

4 - Sheen Thinning
Thinners are usually made up of 2 solvents like amyl or ethyl, you can easily use them to thin down the
sheen or gloss and clean surfaces with them. Spray equipment is usually the way to use a thinner. They
easily soften and thin away the paints that have turned solid and flaky on smooth surfaces. They also
remove residue from cements and plastics. Varnish stains and paint spots can be removed on clothing of
natural fibers by lacquer thinners as well. Remember to avoid using a nylon brush on solvents since the
acetone in the thinner may weaken the bristles of the brush.

2. THINNER
LIST OF SOLVENT THAT CAN BE USED AS THINNER
 White spirits
 Methylated spirits
 Acetone
 Mineral spirits / White spirit
 Acetone
 Turpentine
 Naphtha
 Toluene
 Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)
 Dimethylformamide (DMF)
 Butyl cellosolve
 Xylene
 Butanol