Mineral Spirits vs. Paint thinner...

[Ryan in Edmonton]

Whats the difference?
Are they they same?

I understand paint thinner contains mineral spirits, but is there other stuff in there too?

I like to use pure mineral spirits to wet the wood so I can see figure / blemishes better. Can I use paint thinner the same or will it leave a residue?

TIA

Ryan

[Bill Simpson]

The way I understand it, Mineral spirits is refined a bit more making it have Less odor, as for the same thing??? Still a Petrol Distilate..

[Paul O in Paris]

I understand paint thinner contains mineral spirits, but is there other stuff in there too?

I like to use pure mineral spirits to wet the wood so I can see figure / blemishes better. Can I use paint thinner the same or will it leave a residue?

Ryan!

Paint thinners are mineral spirits with other additives, which vary by the manufacturer, so there is a greater chance of leaving more of a residue after wiping with paint thinners.
IMHO the best stuff to wipe bare wood with is lacquer thinners, it penetrates better, enhances the grain/blemishes better, evaporates faster and cleans the wood far better than mineral spirits.
I only use paint thinners for degreasing/dewaxing furniture prior to stripping. I use mineral spirits for thinning oil based stains or glazes, or making glazes from oil based artist paints. If you're using oil based stains and finishes, then the mineral spirits wash down is probably OK.

regards...........Paul

[willr]

Ryan!

Paint thinners are mineral spirits with other additives, which vary by the manufacturer, so there is a greater chance of leaving more of a residue after wiping with paint thinners.
IMHO the best stuff to wipe bare wood with is lacquer thinners, it penetrates better, enhances the grain/blemishes better, evaporates faster and cleans the wood far better than mineral spirits.
I only use paint thinners for degreasing/dewaxing furniture prior to stripping. I use mineral spirits for thinning oil based stains or glazes, or making glazes from oil based artist paints. If you're using oil based stains and finishes, then the mineral spirits wash down is probably OK.

regards...........Paul

Got intrigued -- so I looked around a little... Check at the bottom of the page on the second link. A little more detail.

Mineral Spirits
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineral_spirits
It's an aliphatic carbon compound, petroleum distillate--

Odour free is probably better yet -- even fewer impurities.

Info from Shell...
http://www.shell.com/home/content/ch..._overview.html


One company's paint thinner
http://www.setonresourcecenter.com/m...f/wcd02fcb.htm



And this might put it all in perspective...
http://www.paintquality.com/library/ingredients_3.htm

Safety info
http://hpd.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/house...ds&id=16009016

The more impurities the more dangerous. Go for the odor free.

MSDS -- safety sheet.
http://kinetronics.com/store/CCSMSDSData.pdf

And lacquer thinner -- look at bottom for ingredients -- Acetone and Toluene mostly...
http://www.setonresourcecenter.com/m...4/wcd03410.htm

Formulas vary widely for last item.


Well -- I learned something today. When Paul answered I realized "I didn't have a clue..." so I looked.