Turpentine is made from natural resin that is extracted from trees whereas white spirit is formulated from petroleum distillates. Turpentine is less toxic, but white spirit is less flammable. In order to understand the difference between the two, a better understanding is needed about their properties and applications. White Spirit
What is the difference between white spirit and turpentine?
However, there is a massive difference between these two. What’s the difference between white spirit and turpentine? Turpentine is made from natural resin that is extracted from trees whereas white spirit is formulated from petroleum distillates. Turpentine is less toxic, but white spirit is less flammable.
What is the difference between white spririt and Turps?
What is the difference? I asked mr divadee and he reckons that you can use only white spririt to thin paint with turps you cant thin paint with. Otherwise they are exactly the same. They do more or less the same job. Turps is the old fashioned natural organic solvent and is now comparatively expensive.
What is white spirit?
It is also referred to as paint thinner, petroleum spirit, and as a turpentine substitute. In fact, if you come across any paint solvent that has the word mineral written over it, then it is most likely just white spirit called by another name! Whatever you call it, white spirit is a solvent that is generally used for cleaning tools and machinery.
What is spirit of turpentine used for?
A volatile oil called spirit of turpentine, oil of turpentine or, colloquially, turps can be extracted by distillation. Turpentine has been described simply as "distilled trees". Turpentine is used as a solvent, especially for thinning oil-based paints, and as a raw material for the chemical industry.
Can I use turpentine instead of white spirit?
A Guide to White Spirit White Spirit is known by a number of names. In the US/Canada it is most commonly known as Mineral Spirits. In Australia and New Zealand it is known as Mineral Turpentine. Turpentine Substitute, Petroleum Spirits and Paint Thinner are some other names for White Spirit.
Which is better turpentine or white spirit?
Turpentine is non-toxic and a safer choice than white spirit. White spirit is less toxic than other thinners and solvents, but can still be dangerous if used often and improperly in poorly-ventilated spaces. Although turpentine is less toxic in comparison to white spirit, it can result in allergic reactions.
Is turpentine a white spirit?
Overview. White spirit is a flammable, clear, colourless liquid. It is a mixture of chemicals known as petroleum hydrocarbons. Other common names for white spirit are Stoddard solvent, turpentine substitute, mineral spirit and paint thinner.
What is turpentine white spirit used for?
White Spirit is a petroleum distillate used as a paint thinner and mild solvent. Mineral spirits are an inexpensive petroleum-based replacement for the vegetable-based turpentine. It is commonly used as a paint thinner for oil-based paint and cleaning brushes, and as an organic solvent in other applications.
Can turps be used as a paint thinner?
It can also be referred to as turpentine oil or turps. It is made up of oil and a resin known as rosin. The rosin is distilled with steam, turning it into turpentine. Turpentine is a commonly used as a solvent in paint thinner and varnishes.
What can I use instead of turpentine?
Real Milk Paint Citrus Solvent This solution, made of 98 percent citrus peel oil and 2 percent water, is a safe alternative to turpentine and its fumes. This solvent is an excellent degreaser, paint thinner, and substitute for mineral spirit solutions.
What can I use instead of white spirit?
Most people prefer using either turpentine, white spirit or methylated spirit, but the choice is yours, really. Turpentine is stronger than both of these alternatives, though. So extra care is needed when thinning the paint with it. Other than that, though, white spirit and turpentine do the same job.
Does white spirit remove paint?
Oil-based paint is almost impossible to remove, but you can try holding an absorbent pad under the stain and dabbing it with white spirit. Afterwards, sponge with water (if on carpet) or wash at as high a temperature as the fabric allows.
What is turpentine used for cleaning?
Cleaner. Turpentine is used to clean brushes, rollers and spray equipment, oil-based paint, varnish or polyurethane application tools. It can also be used on new wood before finishing.
Can I put white spirit down the sink?
White spirit is a petroleum-based solvent and, as such, needs to be treated as one during disposal. This means that white spirit should never be poured down the sink. White spirit is insoluble in water. So, if it enters a water supply, it can damage the environment and affect drinking water.
Is white spirit the same as paint thinner?
Both are petroleum products. Both can be used to thin oil-based paints and varnishes and to clean paintbrushes. Paint thinner is mineral spirits, but in a less refined form. It contains other types of solvents, which makes it a lot smellier and more volatile.
Does white spirit melt plastic?
White spirit will definitely melt plastic models. I used it for metal models, and one of them was stuck tight on the base, and the base became a blobby mess.
What is turpentine used for cleaning?
Cleaner. Turpentine is used to clean brushes, rollers and spray equipment, oil-based paint, varnish or polyurethane application tools. It can also be used on new wood before finishing.
Can I use turpentine to clean wood?
For any method, clean the furniture with paint thinner or turpentine. Begin reamalgamation by dipping steel wool or a brush into the appropriate solvent and applying it to the wood surface. Get the surface wet as quickly as possible before solvent evaporates.
Is turpentine toxic to humans?
Turpentine is poisonous if swallowed. Children and adults can die from drinking turpentine. Fortunately, turpentine causes taste and odor problems before reaching toxic levels in humans.
Is white spirit the same as paint thinner?
Mineral spirits, white spirit and paint thinners can be used to thin down oil-based paints and clean up an oily mess. As we mentioned, white spirit has loads of names. Paint thinner is simply a generalised term that describes what white spirit does. 'Mineral spirits' describes the composition of the solvent.
What is turps substitute?
It was called turps substitute when it was introduced when real turpentine had alwys been used. Now turps is mainly used by artists. handyman. New Member. White spirit also known as Stoddard solvent is a paraffin derived clear, transparent liquid which is a common organic solvent used in painting and decorating.
How many grades of white spirit are there?
Three different types and three different grades of white spirit exist. The type refers to whether the solvent has been subjected to hydrodesulfurization (removal of sulfur) alone (type 1), solvent extraction (type 2) or hydrogenation (type 3). Each type comprises three different grades: low flash grade, regular grade, and high flash grade. The grade is determined by the crude oil used as the starting material and the conditions of distillation.
What is turpentine used for?
Industrial uses. Turpentine is used as a solvent, especially for thinning oil-based paints, producing varnishes, and as a raw material for the chemical industry. Its industrial uses have largely been replaced by the much cheaper turpentine substitute distilled from crude oil.
What is the odor threshold for turpentine?
Odour threshold (mg/m3) - 0.5-5 4. Turpentine is a fluid obtained by distillation from resin obtained from trees, mainly various species of pine (Pinus). It is composed of terpenes, mainly the monoterpenes alpha-pinene and beta-pinene. It is also known colloquially as turps.
Does turpentine help with lice?
Applied externally to the affected areas, turpentine is a highly effective treatment for lice. Turpentine can be mixed with animal fat as a primitive chest rub for nasal and throat complaints. Some modern chest rubs still contain some turpentine (e.g., Vick's Vaporub). Internal administration of turpentine is no longer common today, ...
Can you mix turpentine with animal fat?
Turpentine can be mixed with animal fat as a primitive chest rub for nasal and throat complaints. Some modern chest rubs still contain some turpentine (e.g., Vick's Vaporub). Internal administration of turpentine is no longer common today, though it was once the preferred means of treating intestinal parasites.
Is white spirit a solvent?
It is a mixture of saturated aliphatic and alicyclic C7 to C12 hydrocarbons with a maximum content of 25% of C7 to C12 alkyl aromatic hydrocarbons. White spirit is used as an extraction solvent, as a cleaning solvent, as a degreasing solvent and as a solvent in aerosols, paints, wood preservatives, lacquers, varnishes, and asphalt products.
White Spirits
This is probably the most common paint thinner that you can buy in DIY stores in Ireland to clean paint brushes. It’s an “extraction solvent” which means that it separates the water, and the plastic/resin in emulsion paint and makes it easier to clean. It is always a clear liquid. It’s not completely safe but is the safest of the three to use.
Methylated Spirits
This is also called ‘denatured alcohol’ outside Ireland and does the same thing as white spirits, but is made from pure ethanol with added poison to discourage people drinking it (yes, really!). You can buy it in most DIY stores in Ireland and is often dyed a colour like purple.
Turpentine
This is a natural version of the same thing but is the most dangerous of the three. It is highly flammable and its vapour can irritate the skin and eyes. If you are just cleaning paint brushes, avoid this. You’ll sometimes see it mixed with things like beeswax for cleaning furniture.
When was white spirit invented?
Banner Chemicals states that Samuel Banner introduced White Spirit to the world in 1885. Another type called Stoddard solvent was created in the 1920's and was used in the dry cleaning industry until the 1950's. There are many grades and types of mineral spirits now available, but all are essentially the same compound.
What is gum turpentine?
Gum Turpentine is distilled pine sap, which can be sustainably tapped from the tree, much like rubber once was. The history of Turpentine is fascinating, if somewhat grim. Often referred to as 'Naval stores', there were several preparations produced from pine in the early days of the American colonies.
Why did the turpentine industry decline?
The Turpentine industry, however, was already in decline due to cheap alternatives derived from byproducts of petroleum. By the 1960's the industry was a shadow of what it had been. During the 1980's Brazil and Portugal took over as the world's foremost producers and American Turpentine production ceased altogether in 2001. Read more on the decline of the American Turpentine industry here .
What led to the exploitation of turpentine?
Unfortunately, as so often seems to be the case, exceptional demand led to exploitation — both of people (slaves were used in production) and natural resources (over-tapping destroyed large areas of pine forest in the 19th century). More about the fascinating history of American Turpentine production can be found here.
Is white spirit beeswax?
White Spirit is not a traditional ingredient of beeswax furniture polish. A couple of years ago one of our sales agents alerted me to a problem. In several retail outlets he had noticed that one of our competitors had a polish that sat next to ours on the shelf.
Is white spirit a traditional polish?
White Spirit did not exist in the 18th century. So, it was not a traditional polish at all. The problem was that it was cheaper than ours (due to their cheaper costs from using White Spirit compared to our higher costs from using the original ingredient of pure gum Turpentine).
Is white spirit flammable?
Regulations state that both Turpentine and White Spirit, and products containing them, should carry the same markings, 'harmful' and 'dangerous for the environment', and must be listed as 'flammable'. This is because, as with most solvents, Turpentine and White Spirit are toxic if swallowed or if the fumes are inhaled.
What is a mineral turp?
Mineral turps has a wide variety of uses because it is such a versatile product. It can be used to thin out oil-based paint, which is achieved when following the instructions of the paint supplier (it can vary between suppliers). The solvent can be used to remove waxes and polishes, as it is a great degreasing solvent used in different products such as paints, lacquers, varnishes, and asphalt. It is a great degreaser for tools, parts, and machinery. Often turps can be referred to as “paint clean up” as it assists with cleaning any split paint, cleans paint brushes and painting equipment.
What is the boiling point of turpentine?
Mineral Turpentine is a clear, colourless liquid hydrocarbon often referred to as “turps”. The flashpoint is 31 ºC and the boiling range is 148-200 ºC, with a specific gravity between 0.78-0.82. Mineral turps is characterised as having good solvency with controlled evaporation, leaving little to no residue on drying.
Is mineral turpentine a petroleum based product?
Turpentine is considered to be more dangerous than methylated spirits as it is highly flammable and can irritate the skin and eyes. Indifference, methylated spirits are referred to as grain alcohol, so it is not a petroleum-based product like mineral turps.
What is the Difference Between Methylated Spirits and Mineral Turpentine?
The key difference between methylated spirits and mineral turpentine is that the methylated spirits are in violet colour, while the mineral turpentine is a clear liquid. Furthermore, the methylated spirits contain ethyl alcohol mixed with other chemical substances including chemicals like methanol, methyl isobutyl ketone, and benzene, while the mineral turpentine contains a mixture of aliphatic, open-chain or alicyclic hydrocarbon compounds .
What is Mineral Turpentine?
Mineral turpentine is a clear liquid derived from petroleum, and it is important as a solvent for paints. A synonym for this liquid is white spirit. It is an organic solvent. When considering the composition of this spirit, it is a mixture of aliphatic, open-chain or alicyclic hydrocarbon compounds. This liquid is, hence, water-insoluble.
What is methylated spirits?
Methylated spirits are alcohol for general use that has been made unfit for drinking by the addition of about 10 per cent methanol and typically also some pyridine and a violet dye. Therefore, we also call it denatured alcohol.
Does methylated spirit kill mildew?
Besides, it has a bad odour and a poor taste as well. Methylated spirit is important as a solvent, hand sanitizers, cosmetics, and as fuel for heating and lighting, etc. Colourless form of this liquid can also be used to kill mildew on leather surfaces.
Is spirit a solvent?
The applications of this spirit include use as an extraction solvent, as a cleaning solvent, as a degreasing solvent, as a solvent in aerosols, paints, wood preservatives, etc. Furthermore, this spirit shows fairly low acute toxicity and is classified as an irritant.
Is methylated spirit a substance?
Since it is highly toxic due to the addition of toxic substances such as methanol, this liquid is not suitable for human consumption. Moreover, the methylated spirit is a colourless solution.