Solvents for paint: types and purposes

Coloring surfaces is a popular technique for repairing premises. During such work, paint solvents are required. Given that they provide the required density and texture of the color composition, in some cases they become irreplaceable.

Kinds

The main condition for such a device is the lack of reaction with varnish or paint and rapid evaporation during work. In addition, the best paint solvents lose their characteristics when they come into contact with water, without correspondingly reacting with it.

Compositions are classified by manufacturers into two types of origin - inorganic and organic. The latter acquired the greatest distribution during the repair, while they are divided by their physical characteristics of volatility.

White spirit and gasoline are classified as light volatile diluents. It is necessary to note the necessity of observing the rules of personal safety when interacting with such substances, since they are distinguished by a slight ignition.

Medium-volatile compositions have acquired a wide distribution, this category includes kerosene, used primarily as a solvent for acrylic paints. This can be used for oil-based substances. The main disadvantage of kerosene is its high cost, so its use is not always rational.

Turpentine is a non-volatile multifunctional solvent that allows to dilute acrylic and oil paints, enamels.

disadvantages

Despite the indispensability of such compounds, they have their drawbacks, the main one of which is a sharp unpleasant odor. Because of this, non-toxic water-soluble paints are becoming increasingly popular, but their scope of use is rather limited due to the impossibility of using at low temperature.

When you need a paint thinner

During the repair, it often happens that the paint has acquired a thick consistency and is not suitable for high-quality distribution on the surface, due to a loosely-closed lid on the jar with the material.

When water is added, oil-based water-soluble compounds can be diluted to the desired consistency, but they are mainly used by graphic designers. When there is a need for painting wall structures and ceiling, it is worth first to find out what solvents for which paints Better fit and in what ratio they are used. Work with oil-based paints requires the provision of a suitable consistency by means of suitable diluting agents.

Solvent 647

This is a colorless substance characterized by a slight inflammation and a sharp, toxic odor that all representatives of this category possess. Its use is not limited to one dilution of the paint, it is also possible to use it for putties, varnishes and enamels of various types.

In addition, with the help of such a tool, it is possible to prepare surfaces for painting, to degrease them, to flush industrial machinery, and to cleanse fabric materials from stains.

Turpentine

It is the most common diluent, having a complex chemical composition. It is mined during the processing of terpentine, wood tar and gum, belongs to the category of essential oils. Used for paints of alkyd-styrene and oil type, as well as in the manufacture of varnishes, dammar and rosin. At the same time, its use in the production sphere has significantly decreased after the appearance of white spirit.

There are three types of turpentine: turpentine, stump and wood. The latter is made on the basis of the treatment of coniferous trees with a high content of resin. At first it has a yellowish-brown consistency, the shade of which disappears during further processing.

Terpentine is made by distillation of water vapor from the parts of coniferous wood. The composition of such oil varies depending on the properties of the material used during production.

Steep turpentine is characterized by slow evaporation, it can have additional staining and impurities in the composition.

White Spirit

This tool has an extensive field of application, mainly it is used for:

• Dilution of epoxy compounds, rubber, some types of alkyds;
• Degreasing the planes used for subsequent processing;
• Dilution of priming and coloring agents, fillings and enamels;
• Dilution of oil-based varnishes.

One of the reasons for this prevalence is the affordable cost, and when a question arises about which solvent to dilute the paint, many choose it. The use of white spirit does not affect the quality characteristics of the coating obtained and at the same time significantly reduces paint consumption. It should be noted that some manufacturers, mainly foreign, produce funds without hydrocarbons and do not have an odor. They differ in their ability to dissolve, but the finishing created with them has higher sanitary and hygienic characteristics.

Acrylic paint

In the design of premises, acrylic coloring compounds allow the creation of many original solutions. They are not exposed to ultraviolet rays and have distinctive decorative properties. Also among the positive aspects, it is necessary to note the fire safety and the absence of toxic effects on the body.

A dry layer of paint is highly durable, while ordinary water can be used as a diluent. Tools with a dried coloring material are easily washed after soaking in a soap solution, and fresh stains can be removed with a damp cloth.

Various solvents for acrylic based paints are used, kerosene, white spirit and acetone are most widely used. Each of them is selected depending on the surface, which requires processing.

Safety precautions

When working with chemicals with high volatility, it is necessary to take into account certain rules.

Everyone knows the presence of different volatility characteristics in solvents of all types. In many countries, predominantly water-soluble paints are used to prevent explosive situations, resulting in a high level of vapors in some of the reactive substances in the room. Given the safety of the use of water-soluble formulations, work with them is not always rational in view of the probability of freezing at a low temperature regime.

The means for diluting paint with high volatility are distinguished by fire hazard. When using them, you must stay away from switches and open flames. Their property of ignition when heated to a certain temperature level requires careful adherence to safety measures.

Solvents for paint in most cases have a sharp suffocating smell, which is why the dilution of paint and enamel should be carried out under the condition of being in the open air or in a room with forced ventilation.

When chemical strong substances get on the mucous membranes and skin, they must be washed with a copious amount of water. Also they are able to damage the fabric when you hit it and dissolve the paint.

Solvents for paint: how to choose

When selecting this criterion, the paint layer and surrounding weather conditions must be taken into account. The drying speed parameter must be the inverse of the temperature, for example, for high-speed applications, cold weather is suitable.

It is also possible to detect the spreading of the dye composition by the rapidity of evaporation of the solvents. Spraying the paint will become impossible if you use a rapidly evaporating diluent and a high ambient temperature, as the paint will dry without ever appearing on the surface requiring treatment.

The choice of diluent is dependent on the type of paint used. Using an unsuitable option can damage the structure of the material. Before carrying out the work, it is necessary to read the instruction manual.

The solvent for oil paint is classified into a weak and strong appearance. The latter forms a uniform consistency regardless of surrounding conditions, a weak type does not possess such a characteristic.