
But side by side, Varsol and paint thinner are identical except that paint thinner does not stink as harshly as varsol. Odorless paint thinner is still varsol with most of the readily volitle liquids already gone (kinda like fresh wine, wine that has been in the barrel a couple months and wine that has been in the barrel a couple of years.
Full Answer
Is Varsol the same as acetone?
Varsol is a registered trademark of Imperial Oil, and has a slightly higher level of purity than mineral spirits. It has a marginally faster evaporation rate than mineral spirits. Is acetone a mineral spirit? Mineral spirits and acetone are not the same. Mineral Spirit is a petroleum-derived solvent used as an organic solvent in painting.
What can be used as a paint thinner?
Turpentine
- Ideal for thinning oil-based paint and varnish
- Affordable substitute to spirits and other solvents
- Turpentine is a strong, fast-drying thinner
- Works best with nonflammable citrus oil formula
How do you make oil paint thinner?
- Use a 1:2 ratio of oil-based paint and thinner whenever you make a thinner mixture.
- Thinner coverage can work well for exterior painting projects that involve a lot of whitewashing.
- Don’t add too much thinner at once. You can always make adjustments to your mixture later!
Is methylated spirits the same as paint thinner?
Sometimes it is known as “Methylated spirits” or “wood alcohol”. Mineral Spirits is a petroleum distillate and is sometimes known by other names such as “white spirits”, “mineral turpentine”, “paint thinner”, and probably a few other names.

Are Varsol and paint thinner the same?
Mineral Spirits, Acetone, Paint Thinners (i.e. Varsol) and Methyl Hydrate are some solvents. They're used for cleaning, thinning and dissolving stuff.
Is mineral spirits and Varsol the same thing?
Varsol™ fluids are traditional solvents that are also known as mineral spirits or white spirits. These fluids have been widely used in industry for decades, developed to replace kerosene in solvent applications.
What is the same as Varsol?
Varsol and mineral spirits have an almost-similar chemical composition, which makes them practical for removing stains like grease or paints.
Does Varsol remove paint?
Varsol(TM) paint thinner removes and cleans tough stains such as grease, grime, dried paint, tree sap, crayon, wax, glue, sticky residue and more.
What is Varsol good for?
Varsol(TM) paint thinner removes and cleans tough stains such as grease, grime, dried paint, tree sap, crayon, wax, glue, sticky residue and more. Safe to use on most surfaces whether bare, painted, stained or treated.
What are the conditions to avoid when working with Varsol?
Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing. Avoid breathing vapour or mist. Use only with adequate ventilation. Wear appropriate respirator when ventilation is inadequate.
Will Varsol remove latex paint?
Use Varsol or Mineral Spirits on Oil-Based Paint The general technique for removing dried oil-based paint is the same as for removing dried latex paint. Moisten a rag with the solvent and rub.
Is Varsol a flammable liquid?
Hazard Statements: Flammable liquid and vapor. Suspected of causing cancer. May cause drowsiness or dizziness. May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways.
Is Varsol safe on plastic?
VarsolTM paint thinner is the cleaning solution endorsed by generations of professional contractors. It's the heavy duty cleaner with a light touch on surfaces like wood, plastic, steel and concrete. It's even safe for delicate surfaces such as synthetic fibres, acrylic and chrome.
Is paint thinner and paint remover the same thing?
no. paint thinner thins the paint, paint stripper strips it.
What is the difference between paint thinner and mineral spirits?
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. Mineral spirits is not as stinky. Because it's more refined, it's slightly more effective in smaller quantities than paint lacquer thinner.
Can you use Varsol on hardwood?
Whether it's cleaning your concrete driveway, degreasing your shop tools, or simply trying to remove a stubborn stain from your new living room carpet or hardwood floor, VarsolTM paint thinner is here to help you tackle hundreds of jobs.
What is a substitute for mineral spirits?
The best substitutes for mineral spirits mainly include turpentine, acetone, denatured alcohol, and charcoal lighter fluids. Good ol' oil, soap, and water also aid in wiping off stubborn stains.
What else is mineral spirits called?
mineral turpentineWhite spirit (UK & Ireland) or mineral spirits (US, Canada), also known as mineral turpentine (AU/NZ), turpentine substitute, and petroleum spirits, is a petroleum-derived clear liquid used as a common organic solvent in painting.
Is paint thinner the same as mineral spirits?
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. Mineral spirits is not as stinky. Because it's more refined, it's slightly more effective in smaller quantities than paint lacquer thinner.
What is stronger than mineral spirits?
Naphtha is a petroleum solvent similar to mineral spirits but with a greater volatility; it is used chiefly as a paint thinner or a cleaning agent. Naphtha is a more powerful solvent than mineral spirits, so less is needed to thin the same amount of paint.
What is varnishing wood?
Varnish helps you to maintain the natural radiant beauty of wood and give it a hard protective finish by binding with the surface of the wood....
Can Varsol be used on hardwood floors?
Whether it’s cleaning your concrete driveway, degreasing your shop tools, or simply trying to remove a stubborn stain from your new living room carpet or hardwood floor, Varsol TM paint thinner is here to help you tackle hundreds of jobs.
Is Varsol paint thinner safe?
Not only is Varsol TM paint thinner the brand trusted by more professional contractors, its premium quality formula is also safe on most surfaces like wood, plastic, steel and concrete, as well as delicate surfaces such as synthetic fibres, acrylic, chrome and so much more… the possibilities are endless.
Can Varsol be used in a shed?
Pretty much whatever you keep in your garage or your garden shed, Varsol TM paint thinner is a prime candidate for clean-ups.
What Is Paint Thinner?
Mineral spirits-based paint thinner is often blended with additives such as trimethyl benzene (benzene). Sometimes, paint thinner is mineral spirits with no additives, as well.
Is latex paint oil based?
Lee Wallender. Water-based latex paints have evolved and have become more prevalent in the home to the point where oil-based products are used less frequently. Yet some professional painters and do-it-yourselfers still prefer oil-based paint for its ability to self-level and remain streak-free.
Does paint thinner smell like kerosene?
Odor. Both unblended mineral spirits and blended mineral spirits called paint thinners have an odor similar to camping lantern oil or kerosene. Due to the added benzene, paint thinner will have more of an odor than will pure mineral spirits. The smell is typically sweet and most users do not find it objectionable.
Can you use mineral spirits to clean latex paint?
Never use mineral spirits or paint thinner for cleaning latex paint from brushes or surfaces.
Can you use water based paint as a solvent?
Plus, most stains and varnishes are still oil-based, as well. Water cannot be used as a solvent for any of these products.
Can you use a paint stripper on paint that has already cured?
Neither product will act as a paint stripper or remover for paint that has already cured.
Is mineral spirits good for interiors?
Due to the difference in odor, pure mineral spirits tends to be better for interior use. Generally, both straight mineral spirits and mineral spirits-related paint thinner are low in odor in comparison to the foul, chemical-like smell of other classes of paint thinners.
What is paint thinner?
For starters, paint thinner (also referred to as white spirit solvents or mineral spirits) is actually just a sort of generic term for any product that is used to thin out the paint. Some examples are mineral spirits and naphtha. These products can be used in many different ways, but the intended use when they are produced is as paint thinner.
What is the difference between turpentine and a thinner?
The basic difference between a thinner and turpentine is that the thinner is a liquid mostly used for thinning the consistency of another liquid while turpentine is a kind of volatile essential oil (extracted from the pine trees wood by steam distillation) used as a solvent and paint thinner.
What solvents do you use to thin oil paint?
Paint thinner, turpentine, and acetone are among the most common solvents that a painter uses to make the oil paint thin. Care that you measure them properly and use them in a 3:1 ratio. Also, do not use them with latex paints, shellac, or lacquers.
What is turpentine made of?
However, it is different from many of the thinners we’ve discussed so far in that it is made from natural resources like the resin of living pine trees. It does take some synthetic processes to produce turpentine, but the base ingredient and even some of the usual additives are naturally occurring, like bee’s wax.
How many different colors of paint are there?
There are hundreds of colors of paint, dozens of different brands, scores of different products that are supposed to make it easier for you.
Is turpentine a paint thinner?
Turpentine works as a paint thinner or a solvent, just like many of the other products. However, turpentine has actually had many other uses over its long history.
Can you use rubbing alcohol to replace turpentine?
Remember, these cannot replace thinner or turpentine and should be used in pinch, only if proper paint thinner is not available.
What is paint thinner made of?
Most often, though, paint thinner is made from pure mineral spirits. Or paint thinner might be produced from mineral spirits, with additives such as benzene.
What are VOCs in paint thinner?
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gasses that are emitted by chemicals, 2 including lacquer thinner and paint thinner. VOCs have negative health effects, both immediately and in the long-term. Both products produce VOCs, but lacquer thinner produces less than paint thinner.
What is lacquer thinner?
Lacquer thinner is a strong liquid thinner and solvent. Containing up to ten ingredients, lacquer thinner is a compound with mixture ratios that vary between manufacturers.
Is lacquer thinner dangerous?
Both lacquer thinner and paint thinner are considered hazardous. 1 Wear chemical-resistant goggles and gloves and breathing protection when working with either product. Work with these products only in well-ventilated areas.
Can paint thinner be used on wet surfaces?
Relatively milder and slower-acting, mineral spirits–based paint thinner is mainly effective on wet coatings. Paint thinner can damage cured coatings—but not with the speed and strength that lacquer thinner can.
Can you use lacquer thinner as a solvent?
Generally, it's best to avoid substituting lacquer thinner for paint thinner or the other way around. Manufacturers do not recommend lacquer thinner for use as a paint thinner or solvent. Conversely, paint thinner isn't designed for dissolving lacquers. Its composition just isn't right for this use.
Is lacquer thinner the same as paint thinner?
Compositionally, lacquer thinner and paint thinner are not the same. In fact, they share no ingredients. A visual scan of all ingredients making up more than 5 percent in both products shows the sharp contrast:
