If you are working with oil paints, you are going to need to use some type of solvent to thin paints and mediums. You will also need these solvents to clean your brushes, palette, and other materials.
The problem is, which solvents should you be using? Should you use mineral spirits or paint thinner for thinning paints and cleaning your art supplies?
There are many advantages and disadvantages to using either mineral spirits or paint thinner. What you need to do is weigh the pros and cons of each to be able to decide which solvent is going to be best for your particular needs.
Today we are going to take a look at both mineral spirits and paint thinner. You will learn what each type of solvent is used for, as well as the pros and cons of each.
Continue reading to learn all about paint thinner and mineral spirits.
Mineral Spirits and Paint Thinner Comparison
| Factors | Mineral Spirits | Paint Thinner |
| Uses | Can be used to thin oil-based paint and clean art supplies | Can be used to thin oil-based paint and clean art supplies |
| Odor | Few to no odors | Strong odor |
| Strength | More effective than paint thinner | Less effective than mineral spirits |
| Price | $10 to $15 per gallon | $8 and up per gallon |
| Safety | Not as toxic as paint thinner but requires safety precautions | Harsh solvent, requires a lot of safety precautions |
| VOCs | Fewer VOCs than paint thinner | High level of VOCs |
What is Mineral Spirits?
Mineral spirits is a solvent that is used to thin oil-based paints. It is also used to clean paintbrushes and other art supplies that are used while doing an oil painting.
While mineral spirits and paint thinner have many of the same elements and are used in similar manners, they are completely different. Mineral spirits is made from a petroleum distillation process, as is paint thinner.
But, mineral spirits is more heavily refined than paint thinner, so there is much less sulfur and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). If you have allergies or respiratory issues, you can even get mineral spirits with no toxic compounds at all, making it much safer to use than paint thinner.
Mineral spirits is used to thin oil-based paints, which makes them glide across the canvas better than if the paints were not altered. Mineral spirits is also used to clean brushes and palettes.
Mineral spirits is more costly than most types of paint thinner because it is more versatile and less toxic. But, you don’t need to use as much mineral spirits as you would with paint thinner, so that is something to think about when making your final decision about which solvent to use.
When it comes to thinning paint or cleaning brushes and palettes, mineral spirits is the most effective. When used to thin paint, the mineral spirits dry smooth, so you get a level and even coat of paint.
If you are worried about toxicity, I suggest using mineral spirits. They are heavily refined, which helps to reduce VOCs and sulfur. You can even get odor-free mineral spirits.
But, this doesn’t mean that you don’t still need to be careful when using mineral spirits. When using any type of solvent, it is important that you wear protective gear, including a mask and gloves, and work in a well-ventilated area.
Pros and Cons of Mineral Spirits
Pros
- Mineral spirits contains fewer VOCs than paint thinner
- Effective for thinning paint and cleaning brushes
- Can be used for cleaning many surfaces
- Not as toxic as paint thinner, but caution must still be used
- Less smelly than paint thinner
- A little goes a long way
Cons
- More expensive than paint thinner
- Not suitable for use with latex paint
- Can cause skin irritation if not handled properly
What is Paint Thinner?
Paint thinners are other solvents that are used to thin oil-based paints and to clean brushes and other art supplies. The most common type of paint thinner is turpentine.
Turpentine is made from the resin of trees, usually pine trees. Other types of paint thinners include acetone, which is an organic chemical, and naphtha, which is a hydrocarbon mixture.
Paint thinner is made through the distillation of petroleum. This means that it isn’t nearly as refined as mineral spirits, so there are more VOCs.
When working with oil-based paints, paint thinner is used to change the density and consistency of the paint. You can’t use water to thin oil-based paints, so you must use a paint thinner or mineral spirits.
One of the things I dislike the most about most types of paint thinner is the fact that they all have strong odors. I have environmental and seasonal allergies and find that my breathing worsens when I am using turpentine and other paint thinners.
I do still use them, but I always make sure that I either have plenty of windows open and fans running or that I work outdoors. This helps to keep the fumes to a minimum.
Most of the artists I know tend to use paint thinners instead of mineral spirits, because they are less expensive. They also have more solvency than mineral spirits.
When it comes to cleaning dry paint off brushes, paint thinner is the better option. It will remove dried paint whereas mineral spirits will not. You can only remove wet paint with mineral spirits.
Pros and Cons of Paint Thinner
Pros
- Less expensive than mineral spirits
- Better solvency
- Will remove wet and dried paint from brushes, palettes, etc.
- Most commonly used by artists to thin oil-based paints
Cons
- Highly toxic, and must handle with care
- Strong fumes, must work in a well-ventilated area
- Highly flammable
- Disposal can be a hassle
Conclusion: Which is Better, Paint Thinner or Mineral Spirits?
When it comes to deciding which is better, paint thinner or mineral spirits, you need to take a look at the pros and cons of both. Most artists tend to use paint thinner because it has better solvency and is less expensive than mineral spirits.
On the other hand, if you are worried about fumes and toxicity, you might be better off using mineral spirits instead of paint thinner.
Paint thinner is less expensive than mineral spirits. It will cost around $10 to $15 for a gallon of mineral spirits (odor-free is more costly), as opposed to around $8 per gallon for most types of paint thinner.
Paint thinner and mineral spirits have the same uses, so in the end, your decision will come down to the finer points of each, and which one is best for you.