Mineral Spirits vs Paint Thinner: Which One Is Best?

If you’ve ever worked with oil-based paints or stain, you know just what a mess it can be to clean brushes and painting tools. Or maybe you’ve tried applying oil paint through a sprayer, in which case you’ve probably encountered a need to thin it so it flows better and applies evenly to the surface you’re painting. In either of those situations, you’ll need some paint thinner. But what kind exactly?

Mineral spirits are a popular choice with a lot of painters because the smell is less overpowering, making it safer to use indoors.

Paint thinner and mineral spirits are both solvents used to clean and thin paint, and the two terms are often used interchangeably. However, there are differences, including odor and cost, between mineral spirits and the broader category of paint thinners.

This brief run-down will help you decide what’s best for your next painting project.

What Is Paint Thinner?

For starters, paint thinner is a general term for any kind of solvent that’s used to alter the consistency of paint or clean it up. Mineral spirits one specific kind of paint thinner, and that list also includes well-known solvents like acetone, turpentine, etc.

There are also paint thinners for latex paints, which includes water, since that can be used to clean them up while the paint is still wet. Water-based paints are much easier to clean than oil-based paints, which is a big reason they’ve become more popular with DIYers over the years.

Usually, when people refer to paint thinner, they’re talking about the various products used to thin and clean oil paints and lacquers. Some thinners, turpentine in particular, are especially powerful for cleaning up stains, sticky residues and dried paint from various types of surfaces. Just remember a little goes a long with with paint thinner.

Pros

• Cheaper than mineral spirits, usually $5-10 per gallon
• Some thinners are more powerful solvents, like turpentine
• Wider array of uses

Cons

• Strong fumes that can be dangerous
• Highly flammable
• Can damage surfaces if you use too much

What Are Mineral Spirits?

Mineral spirits are a more refined paint thinner distilled from petroleum. The main benefit is that the odor isn’t as strong because it doesn’t contain other chemical additives, like benzene. However, because they’re refined, they aren’t as powerful as other kind of paint thinner.

You can also get odorless mineral spirits. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been removed entirely, which eliminates the most dangerous fumes. However, there can still be some smell, similar to kerosene. The lack of a strong odor makes it better for indoor use.

Mineral spirits that aren’t labeled as odorless can still have some VOCs, albeit at reduced levels compared to other thinners. In that case, you’ll need to take additional precautions and be aware of the risks posed by the fumes.

Pros

• Milder smell
• Can be used inside
• Creates a smoother, more even finish

Cons

• More expensive than other thinners
• Flammable
• Less powerful

Using Mineral Spirits and Paint Thinners Safely

Because both products have similar risks associated with them, certain safety precautions apply for whichever one you’re using.

To start, they’re both flammable, so it’s important to take safety precautions when using them and storing them. Remember to keep open flames away from them and keep it away from heat sources.

Mineral spirits and paint thinners are considered hazardous waste by the Environmental Protection Agency. Remember to dispose of them properly, usually by taking them to your local hazardous waste disposal center.

Don’t ingest them and keep them away from children.

FAQ

What’s the difference between paint thinner and mineral spirits?

Brian Kemnitz, owner at Pearl Painters, describes the difference between paint thinner and mineral spirits: “Mineral spirits are higher cost, more refined, a bit safer and less smelly. Paint thinner works and does all the same things as mineral spirits.” He goes on to detail, “In our painting business, we really only use paint thinner as we are only using it for thinning oil primer so that it is thin enough to achieve a nice spray pattern or cleaning up a paint sprayer. On rare occasions when we are using fine oil paint as a finish we would use mineral spirits as it’s cleaner and creates a better finish.”

When should I use mineral spirits instead of regular paint thinner?

Both mineral spirits and paint thinner achieve the same thing, but mineral spirits are less harsh than paint thinner. You should use mineral spirits instead of paint thinner when you need a cleaner or thinner that is less harsh or that has lower fumes. Often, you can use mineral spirits instead of paint thinner when you’re doing an indoor project or using oil-based paints. While mineral spirits cost more than paint thinner, it’s usually the safer and still effective option.

Can you safely store mineral spirits and paint thinner?

Yes, you can safely store mineral spirits and paint thinner. Kemnitz suggests storing them “in metal containers with a tight fitted lid.”

Is it safe to use mineral spirits and paint thinner?

Kemnitz says that mineral spirits and paint thinner are safe to use “when used appropriately.” He advises, “Work in a well-ventilated area and wear gloves. Avoid prolonged skin contact.”:

How do I safely dispose of paint thinner or mineral spirits?

Mineral spirits and paint thinner should only be disposed of at a hazardous waste facility. In addition, precautions need to be taken when disposing of items that have been used with mineral spirits or paint thinner. Kemnitz says, “Warning! When you have rags that are soaked in thinner or mineral spirits and you place them in trash bags they can spontaneously combust. A simple google search of ‘paint thinner and fires’ will show you how easily you could start a house fire! Best practice is to soak all rags that have thinner in them in water then let them dry out before you dispose of them in the trash.”

About the expert

Brian Kemnitz is a painting expert and the owner of Pearl Painters, which has provided painting services to homes in the Portland area since 2001. Pearl Painters offers cabinet painting, interior and exterior painting, and fence and deck staining. As the leader of his team, Kemnitz strives to uphold the company’s commitment to excellence and their tagline of “Making you wish all contractors were like us.”