

Functionally, though, mineral spirits and odorless mineral spirits perform similarly. Odorless mineral spirits and mineral spirits generally have the same properties and uses, but odorless mineral spirits is popular among artists who use oil paints as they tend to work in close proximity to the solvent. This is a more purified version of mineral spirits that has had most of the aromatic hydrocarbons removed. In addition to the basic and very affordable mineral spirits, there is a variety commonly known as odorless mineral spirits. There are two types of readily-available mineral spirits. It is also effective at removing greasy and sticky messes in a variety of contexts. It is used as a paint thinner so often that it is sometimes sold under the generic name "paint thinner." As the go-to solvent for cleaning paint brushes and other painting equipment, mineral spirits is a painter's friend.


Mineral spirits is an organic solvent used in a wide variety of applications. Mineral spirits, on the other hand, has a relatively inoffensive scent reminiscent of kerosene and quickly became more popular than turpentine after its introduction. Distilled from pine tree resins, turpentine was used for paint thinning and cleanup but has an unusually foul odor. Sometimes called white spirit, mineral turpentine, or Stoddard solvent, mineral spirits is a purified petroleum distillate made as a substitute for turpentine. To get the most out of each solvent, and to make sure that you do not damage important surfaces, tools, or household items, you should learn the differences between mineral spirits and acetone so you use both properly. While the two solvents do have a similarity as thinners and cleaners, ultimately they are different solvents and need to be treated as different solutions to different problems. It can clean brushes and other tools after you finish a project, but once the paint dries, mineral spirits is mostly ineffective. While acetone will aggressively strip paint from a wide variety of surfaces, though, mineral spirits is really only effective at cleaning up fresh paint. Both are excellent for cleaning up paint spills, for example. Even here, they are not identical, though. Similarly, both acetone and mineral spirits are useful for cleaning a variety of messes on tools, in the shop, and around your house. When people get used to using one as a thinner, they sometimes start using the other for the same application and are disappointed when they do not get the same results. Acetone, on the other hand, is used to thin lacquer. Painters commonly use mineral spirits, for example, to thin the paint that they put into paint sprayers. Part of the confusion comes from the fact that both are used as thinners. Acetone and mineral spirits are not the same, and should not be treated as if they are.
