WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN (PAINT THINNER, MINERAL SPIRIT AND VARSOL)?

Question

The price is different.
Do they have different properties?

Answer 1

Mineral spirit is solvents derived from the earth(mineral). Paint thinner is kind of a generic term(incorrectly used) but basically means varsol. Maybe the term "Paint thinner" is more of a sales pitch as it is something special. 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. Still wine, but one is less potent than the others. Varsol is the oldest on the market, but people did not want their house painted because of the paint fumes, so the oil companies distilled it better...to give low odor spirits.



Prior to the oil companies got into the picture, terpentine was used, which is a plant derivitive (coming from the sap of trees) and is smellier yet. It is oiliest. Good for storing brushes in and also good for oil stains for fences and boat varnishes.as it returned some of the "sap back to the wood products"

They are all used for the same paint types.

Answer 2

Look close at the labels. Normally "paint thinner' is mineral spirits. There are "low odor" paint thinners that are more expensive because they are refined more that regular mineral spirits.



I am not familiar with Varsol, I suspect it is some specialty thinner some paint manufacturer created for their brand of varnish. It could be a blend of mineral spirits with other solvents, possibly intended to dry faster. Check the label of the paint you are using as some paints will specify a special thinner. For example lacquer based paints require lacquer thinner, shellac based finishes require alcohol or a alcohol blend, and automotive enamels require a special blend of solvents.



Edit: I just found this...Varsol is the ExxonMobil Chemical brand for a line of conventional aliphatic fluids with low, medium and high flash points. These fluids boil in the mineral spirits or white spirits range. These grades are characterized by mild odors, clean evaporation and solvency power to meet the requirements of a broad range of applications, often replacing less refined kerosene. Heavier Varsol fluids exhibit tight, well-defined properties that provide more consistent performance than many process oils available today. ..



It appears from this that Varsol is a brand name and there are several different solvents designed for different applications.



I might should point out the possibility of differences in terminology that can cause confusion. In some countries mineral spirits is referred to as "white spirits" while the word "spirits" can also refer to alcohol. Also turpentine which is rarely used today is aka "gum spirits of turpentine'.

Answer 3

Varsol cleans brushes much better than plain old paint thinner or mineral spirits. I've found it well worth the small price difference.

Answer 4

Odorless mineral spirit is 'safer' to work with. The traditional stuff gives you headaches and makes you stoned or at least dizzy. The odorless stuff is pretty much without at least these side effects.

Answer 5

Varsol