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The purpose of a paint thinner is to thin down the texture of the paint without destroying any of its qualities as a preservative. Naturally, a paint can be thinned just so much without losing some of its effectiveness. The amount of thinner required for each coat is generally specified by the manufacturer of ready-mixed paints and printed on the label. It is just as important to select a good grade of thinner as it is to buy a good grade of paint. The best oil paint can be rendered worthless by mixing in a poor quality thinner. Remember that some kinds of finish require a special thinner and read over the directions printed on the container before adding anything to the paint. Linseed oilA good quality linseed oil is an excellent thinner for oil paints. It is obtained by crushing flax seeds and allowing the oil to age before it is put in containers for sale. There are two kinds of linseed oil, boiled and raw. Boiled linseed oil has either been boiled or had a drier added, and thus will dry faster than raw linseed oil. Raw linseed oil, as the name implies, is free of any other ingredients and is commonly used as a thinner for most oil paints. There has been a considerable shortage of pure linseed oil since the war, and there are many poor substitutes on the market. Be sure that you get the real linseed oil when you order. TurpentineTurpentine is another excellent thinner for oil paints. It is made from pine trees and it dries slowly, allowing the paint time to sink into the pores of the wood. Turpentine evaporates, however, and adds nothing to the general quality of the paint, as does linseed oil. PetrolPetrol is a light, volatile liquid that is
sometimes used as a thinner for oil paints, but it is very inferior to
both linseed oil and turpentine.
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