Mineral Spirits. What is it?

[Tom Wood]

I watched an online video (US source) where someone used Boiled Linseed Oil thinned with Mineral Spirits to finish a job. I don't know what mineral spirits is. I know it's NOT Mineral Turpentine. Is it what we in Australia call White Spirits?

[George Kaiser]

White Sprits is mineral sprits in the US.

A mixture of aliphatic and alicyclic C7 to C12 hydrocarbons, white spirit is used as an extraction solvent, as a cleaning solvent, as a degreasing solvent and as a solvent in aerosols, paints, wood preservatives, lacquers, varnishes, and asphalt products. In western Europe about 60% of the total white spirit consumption is used in paints, lacquers and varnishes. White spirit is the most widely used solvent in the paint industry. In households, white spirit is commonly used to clean paint brushes after use.

I

It is odorless and evaporates completely.  Besides being used as thinner and cleaner, many woodworkers use it to "preview" how a clear finish on wood would appear.

[Don Foley]

According to wikipedia.org they are the same.  Mineral spirits = U.S. name, white spirits = U.K. name.

Hope this helps, Don

[michael evans]

White spirits it's called in the U.K. too .

[Ken Darga]

Boiled linseed oil is used as a wood preservative.

Some oil-based paints & finishes contain boiled linseed oil---

some brands contain more of the oil than others.

Mineral Spirits can be added to thin-down boiled linseed oil.

Thinning of the linseed oil allows deeper penetration into the wood. 

You can apply two coats of 50-50 mix then apply the oil full-strength. 

Allow 2-3 days drying time between the thinned coats and

5-7 days for full-strength coats.

The oil needs to be dry before applying subsequent coats.

Boiled linseed oil is great for treating wood handles on tools---shovels, rakes, axe, sledges, hammers, and the like.

The tool handles will provide a better slip resistant grip, vs a slippery grip you get from varnished handles.

Sand down the old finish before proceeding.

Apply a thinned-coat followed by a full-strenth coat.

Wipe down the tool handles, with a clean dry-cloth, before putting them into service.

[Tom Wood]

Ken Darga said:

Boiled linseed oil is used as a wood preservative.

Some oil-based paints & finishes contain boiled linseed oil---

some brands contain more of the oil than others.

Mineral Spirits can be added to thin-down boiled linseed oil.

Thinning of the linseed oil allows deeper penetration into the wood. 

You can apply two coats of 50-50 mix then apply the oil full-strength. 

Allow 2-3 days drying time between the thinned coats and

5-7 days for full-strength coats.

The oil needs to be dry before applying subsequent coats.

Boiled linseed oil is great for treating wood handles on tools---shovels, rakes, axe, sledges, hammers, and the like.

The tool handles will provide a better slip resistant grip, vs a slippery grip you get from varnished handles.

Sand down the old finish before proceeding.

Apply a thinned-coat followed by a full-strenth coat.

Wipe down the tool handles, with a clean dry-cloth, before putting them into service.

[Tom Wood]

Thankyou so much, Ken

 

Very detailed and helpful reply.

Tom

Tom Wood said:

Ken Darga said:

Boiled linseed oil is used as a wood preservative.

Some oil-based paints & finishes contain boiled linseed oil---

some brands contain more of the oil than others.

Mineral Spirits can be added to thin-down boiled linseed oil.

Thinning of the linseed oil allows deeper penetration into the wood. 

You can apply two coats of 50-50 mix then apply the oil full-strength. 

Allow 2-3 days drying time between the thinned coats and

5-7 days for full-strength coats.

The oil needs to be dry before applying subsequent coats.

Boiled linseed oil is great for treating wood handles on tools---shovels, rakes, axe, sledges, hammers, and the like.

The tool handles will provide a better slip resistant grip, vs a slippery grip you get from varnished handles.

Sand down the old finish before proceeding.

Apply a thinned-coat followed by a full-strenth coat.

Wipe down the tool handles, with a clean dry-cloth, before putting them into service.

[Tom Wood]

Thankyou Michael.

Very useful information.

Tom

michael evans said:

White spirits it's called in the U.K. too .

[Tom Wood]

thankyou Don.

Appreciate your response and assistance.

Tom.
 
Don Foley said:

According to wikipedia.org they are the same.  Mineral spirits = U.S. name, white spirits = U.K. name.

Hope this helps, Don

[Tom Wood]

Thankyou George.

Your information is confirmed and I greatly appreciate that you took the trouble to respond.

Tom

George Kaiser said:

White Sprits is mineral sprits in the US.

A mixture of aliphatic and alicyclic C7 to C12 hydrocarbons, white spirit is used as an extraction solvent, as a cleaning solvent, as a degreasing solvent and as a solvent in aerosols, paints, wood preservatives, lacquers, varnishes, and asphalt products. In western Europe about 60% of the total white spirit consumption is used in paints, lacquers and varnishes. White spirit is the most widely used solvent in the paint industry. In households, white spirit is commonly used to clean paint brushes after use.

I

It is odorless and evaporates completely.  Besides being used as thinner and cleaner, many woodworkers use it to "preview" how a clear finish on wood would appear.

[Ken Darga]

Thanks Tom, for you reply.

Glad you found it helpful.

Tom Wood said:

Thankyou so much, Ken

 

Very detailed and helpful reply.

Tom