Paint thinners

In collaboration with Sico Inc.

Paint thinners are used to clean painting and coating tools such as brushes, rollers, paint guns and paint trays. They may also be used to reduce the viscosity of solvent-based coatings when required. And, finally, they may be used to remove grease, oil, asphalt and other stains and contaminants.

Typically, thinners are mineral-oil based products that are both colourless and flammable and are often recognised for their particularly strong odour. In fact, most manufacturers offer two types of paint thinner: "regular" scent and "reduced-odour". Though the strength of the odour has no bearing on product effectiveness, it can have a serious impact on your bank account as reduced-odour thinners can cost up to three times more than "regular" thinners. Reduced-odour thinners are recommended if you intend to use the product indoors or to dilute a reduced-odour finishing product.
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Diluting a Solvent-Based Coating:
Cleaning Various Surfaces:
Removing Grease Stains from a Concrete Floor:
Cleaning a Roller:
Cleaning a Paintbrush:
Cleaning a Brush or Roller Using a Wringer:
Safety and first Aid:

Diluting a Solvent-Based Coating:

Contrary to popular belief, the need to dilute solvent-based coatings is quite rare these days. This long-held belief was based on the fact that older paints often required dilution before being applied. In such cases, turpentine was typically used to dilute the product.

The above example is not the only misconception when it comes to thinners. Some believe that a thinner may be used to dilute paint that has thickened (due to an improperly closed container). This process tends to liquefy the paint and reduce its covering effectiveness. It also heightens the risk of runs. Others, who may be experiencing difficulties applying paint with a paint gun, believe that paint viscosity is the issue at hand when in reality the problems may stem from use of the wrong nozzle. Finally, still others believe that the finishing product will dry quicker if it is diluted, which is not at all the case.

Today, the ingredients used to manufacture paints have changed and product dilution is no longer required except on rare occasions. For example: one might dilute floor enamel (for the first coat only) in order to ensure better penetration into the concrete; or dilute rustproof paint before it is applied on a wood surface (once again - first coat only).

Checklist and instructions
  • Rubber boots and gloves
  • Polyprep 875-104 paint thinner
  • Paint paddle
  • Viscometer (Instrument that measures the time it takes for paint to pour from a special container. Used when applying paint with a paint gun to ensure that paint viscosity meets nozzle requirements.)

When diluting, use only top quality thinners. They may be more expensive but they won’t contaminate your solvent-based coating. Do not use recycled thinners for this application.
  • First check if undiluted paint applies properly.
  • Wear rubber gloves and boots.
  • Add small quantities of thinner and thoroughly stir with a paint paddle. Do not exceed 10% to 15% thinner. For more precision, check viscosity with a viscometer.

Cleaning Various Surfaces:

Paint thinners can be used to remove resin from knots in wood, grease stains, creosote, wax, fresh paint (solvent based), oil and tar stains as well as tire tracks and lipstick smudges.

They may be applied on the following surfaces: asbestos, sheet cement, wood, painted surfaces (solvent based), fibreglass, masonry, metal and porcelain. Test the product on a small hidden area to ensure that it does not alter the surface.

Paint thinners should not be used on: asphalt, latex paints, vinyl, aluminium, plastics and rubber.
Checklist and instructions
  • Rubber boots and gloves
  • Clean, dry, lint-free cloths
  • Paint thinner

  • Rub stains with a rag soaked in thinner.
  • Wipe surface with a clean, dry, lint-free rag.
  • Hang up rag so thinner can evaporate and thus prevent the risk of fire.

Removing Grease Stains from a Concrete Floor:

Checklist and instructions
  • Rubber boots and gloves
  • Broom
  • Sawdust
  • Trisodium Phosphate (T.S.P.)
  • Paint thinner

  • Soak dry sawdust in thinner.
  • Cover stains with mixture, leave overnight and sweep up the next day.
  • Repeat as needed.
  • Wash surface with T.S.P.
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