A paint thinner is a
solvent used to thin
oil-based paint
Oil paint is a type of slow-drying paint that consists of particles of pigment suspended in a drying oil, commonly linseed oil. The viscosity of the paint may be modified by the addition of a solvent such as turpentine or white spirit, and varnis ...
s. Solvents labeled "paint thinner" are usually
mineral spirits having a
flash point at about 40 °C (104 °F), the same as some popular brands of charcoal starter.
Common solvents historically used as paint thinners include:
*
Mineral spirits (North America)/
White spirit
White spirit (AU, UK & Ireland)Primarily in the United Kingdom and Australia. In New Zealand "white spirit" can also refer to Coleman fuel ( white gas). or mineral spirits (US, Canada), also known as mineral turpentine (AU/NZ), turpentine substit ...
(United Kingdom and Ireland)
*
Acetone
Acetone (2-propanone or dimethyl ketone), is an organic compound with the formula . It is the simplest and smallest ketone (). It is a colorless, highly volatile and flammable liquid with a characteristic pungent odour.
Acetone is miscible wi ...
*
Turpentine
*
Naphtha
*
Toluene
*
Lacquer thinner
*
Methyl ethyl ketone
Butanone, also known as methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), is an organic compound with the chemical formula, formula CH3C(O)CH2CH3. This colourless liquid ketone has a sharp, sweet odor reminiscent of acetone. It is produced industrially on a large scale, ...
(MEK)
*
Dimethylformamide
Dimethylformamide is an organic compound with the formula ( CH3)2NC(O)H. Commonly abbreviated as DMF (although this initialism is sometimes used for dimethylfuran, or dimethyl fumarate), this colourless liquid is miscible with water and the major ...
(DMF)
*
2-Butoxyethanol
2-Butoxyethanol is an organic compound with the chemical formula BuOC2H4OH (Bu = CH3CH2CH2CH2). This colorless liquid has a sweet, ether-like odor, as it derives from the family of glycol ethers, and is a butyl ether of ethylene glycol. As a rela ...
, or any of the other
glycol ethers
Glycol ethers are a class of chemical compounds consisting of alkyl ethers that are based on glycols such as ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. They are commonly used as solvents in paints and cleaners. They have good solvent properties while h ...
Less common solvents used as paint thinner include:
*
Ethylbenzene
Ethylbenzene is an organic compound with the formula . It is a highly flammable, colorless liquid with an odor similar to that of gasoline. This monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon is important in the petrochemical industry as an reaction intermediat ...
*
Xylene
In organic chemistry, xylene or xylol (; IUPAC name: dimethylbenzene) are any of three organic compounds with the formula . They are derived from the substitution of two hydrogen atoms with methyl groups in a benzene ring; which hydrogens are su ...
*
''n''-Butyl acetate
*
Butanol
Exposure to vapors created by paint containing thinner or its cleanup may be hazardous. The
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) is a professional association of industrial hygienists and practitioners of related professions, with headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. One of its goals is to advance worker p ...
has established
threshold limit values (TLVs) for most of these compounds. TLV is defined as the maximum concentration in air which can be breathed by a normal person (i.e., excluding children, pregnant women, etc.) in the course of 40 hours per week (a typical American
work week), day after day through their work life without long-term ill effects.
In underdeveloped countries, workers commonly experience much higher exposure to these chemicals with consequent damage to their health.
Addiction
Paint thinners are often used as an
inhalant, due to its accessibility and legality as a drug. Many teenagers become addicted to thinner and due to lack of knowledge, parents and caregivers do not notice it or give it much attention.
See also
*
Environmental impact of paint
The environmental effects of paint can vary depending on the type of paint used and mitigation measures. Traditional painting materials and processes can have harmful effects on the environment, including those from the use of lead and other addi ...
References
Solvents
Paints
{{painting-stub