Mineral spirits are a paint thinner, but not all paint thinners are mineral spirits
These days, most people use latex paints around the home, eliminating the need for paint thinners. However, some people still rely on oil paints, which need to be diluted and cleaned with something other than water. Many people working with oil paints for the first time may wonder what the difference is between mineral spirits versus paint thinner. Ultimately, mineral spirits are a type of paint thinner, but there are other types, including turpentine, acetone, toluene, and naphtha.
While these two terms are often interchangeable, perhaps the most straightforward distinction is that mineral spirits describe the product’s composition, whereas paint thinner refers to the product’s function. Mineral spirits are mineral-based paint thinners made from petroleum distillates and no additives. Paint thinner is a blanket term for anything that can thin paint; often, these products are mineral-based as well, and they usually have some additives. For this article, we will focus on paint thinners other than mineral spirits to emphasize the difference between the two.
| Mineral Spirits | Paint Thinner | |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Soaking brushes and rollers | Quickly cleaning brushes and rollers |
| Other Uses | Cleaning tar, oil spills, and other messes | Removing dried paint |
| Odor and Toxicity | Lower in VOCs; odorless versions available | Higher in VOCs |
| Average Cost | $20–$25 per gallon | $15–$20 per gallon |
Mineral spirits are additive-free paint thinners made from 100% petroleum distillates. They are used to dilute oil paint and varnishes to achieve the right consistency, to clean brushes and rollers used in oil paints and varnishes, and to clean stains and spills.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Less toxic than most paint thinners | More expensive than other paint thinners |
| Minimal odors (an odorless version is available) | Cannot be used with latex paint |
| Less volatile | Mildly irritating to the skin |
| Can clean other products | Highly flammable |
| Difficult to dispose of |
Best for:
The majority of oil painting projects
All indoor applications
Those with health conditions, children, or pets
Cleaning other messes
Paint thinners are known for being highly toxic and odorous, but mineral spirits are lower in toxins and odors—you can even purchase odorless varieties. Mineral spirits are the right option for those with respiratory issues, odor sensitivities, pets, and small children. They’re also useful for those working indoors as they don't require as much ventilation.
Mineral spirits are less volatile than paint thinners, meaning they evaporate more slowly. This slower evaporation rate makes it better for soaking painting tools like rollers and brushes and gives paints a smoother, more even finish compared to other paint thinners.
While both paint thinner and mineral spirits can be used to clean oil spills, tar, and other messes, the reduced volatility, odor, and toxicity of mineral spirits make them a preferable choice—especially for indoor applications.
The biggest drawback of mineral spirits is the price, as they often cost as much as 50% more than other paint thinners. The price can make them cost-prohibitive for larger outdoor projects. However, for most individuals, the price difference is negligible enough to overlook since most people do not use large quantities of paint solvents.
The other downsides of mineral spirits are ones shared by most types of paint thinners: They cannot be used on water-based paints, they irritate the skin, and they’re highly flammable. Only use mineral spirits on oil-based paints, stains, spills, and varnishes, wear gloves when using, and avoid using near open flames.
Like other paint thinners, mineral spirits can be difficult to dispose of and must be brought to an approved disposal facility.
As the name implies, paint thinner is anything that can be used to thin paint or to clean brushes, rollers, and other painting supplies. Usually, when people talk about paint thinner, they mean a petroleum-based variation, but some, like turpentine, contain no petroleum. Similarly, most, but not all, paint thinners contain additives. If you see a container with the generic name “paint thinner” rather than a specific type of compound, it is likely a less refined version of mineral spirits blended with other solvents, making it more odorous and volatile than pure mineral spirits.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Less expensive than mineral spirits | Highly volatile |
| Increased solvency | More odorous than mineral spirits |
| Some can remove dried paint | Highly flammable |
| Irritating to the skin |
Best for:
Large outdoor projects
Cleaning brushes and rollers quickly outdoors
Removing already-dried paint
Paint thinner is usually much cheaper than mineral spirits, making it a better option when budget is the top priority. Unfortunately, the price difference for most homeowners is marginal since they won’t need much paint thinner or mineral oil for their project.
Many paint thinners have more solvency than mineral spirits, meaning they can clean faster and more efficiently. Turpentine can even remove dried paint, whereas mineral spirits can only clean it when wet.
Most paint thinners are more volatile and toxic than mineral spirits, meaning they should only be used in well-ventilated areas. These products are also highly flammable and should be kept from direct sunlight and away from open flames.
Paint thinners cannot be dumped in your sink or thrown in the trash. Instead, these must be brought to your local waste or recycling facility for disposal.
Like mineral spirits, most paint thinners are harsh on the skin and should be used with gloves. Exposure risks depend on the specific product.
Here’s a closer look at how these two products stack up when it comes to factors like price and ability to be used indoors.
The comparative purity and low volatility of mineral spirits make them the best choice for thinning oil paints and varnishes, giving the smoothest and most even results. In fact, some products are specifically designed to be used with mineral spirits, and using other paint thinners could leave you with unpredictable results.
Paint thinner, usually between $15 and $20 a gallon, can cost 40 to 50% less than mineral spirits, priced around $20 to $25 a gallon. The price difference can matter if you use it regularly. For most homeowners and hobbyists who use oil paints, a gallon of either product will last years, so the price difference is marginal—especially given the many other advantages of mineral spirits.
Because mineral spirits are so heavily refined during the distillation process, they have minimal VOCs. Odor-free mineral spirits are available, too. Paint thinners do not have this benefit. If kids or pets will be around the area where you’re painting, or you have any health issues involving your respiratory or cardiovascular system, stick with mineral spirits.
Mineral spirits are made from 100% petroleum distillates. While some paint thinners are equally loaded with petroleum, not all are. Some contain lower amounts of petroleum, while others are entirely free of it. Turpentine, for example, is made from tree resin.
Ask any professional interior painter in your area, and chances are they’ll agree that mineral spirits are less volatile, less toxic, and have less odor, so they are always preferable for indoor use. Other paint thinners should only be used in well-ventilated areas, ideally outside.
Paint thinner has greater solvency than mineral spirits, so it’s able to clean faster and more thoroughly. This makes a paint thinner such as turpentine the better choice for a challenging job such as removing dried paint.
Need to leave your brushes or rollers to soak in a solvent overnight? Paint thinner is highly volatile and may evaporate when left out. Mineral spirits are much more stable, making them a better choice when you must soak something for a while.
With its lower toxicity and low odors, mineral spirits are a surprisingly versatile cleaner that can be used on more than just oil paint—including tar, oils, and other difficult-to-clean spills and stains. Paint thinner, meanwhile, is generally only used to clean up oil-based paints.
Both mineral spirits and traditional paint thinners cannot be used on latex paints, and doing so will separate the pigments from the solvents in the paint. Instead, use water to dilute latex paint, and use soap and water or a latex-based paint thinner to clean up latex paint.
Technically, mineral spirits are a type of paint thinner, so they can be used for the same purposes. In most cases, pure mineral spirits are preferable to other paint thinners. Still, if necessary, you can successfully use paint thinners for most of the same applications, such as thinning or cleaning oil paints.
You can use either paint thinner or mineral spirits to clean paint brushes, but both have distinct advantages. Paint thinners are better solvents, making them a good option if you need to clean your brushes quickly or if you are dealing with dried paint, which mineral spirits can’t remove. On the other hand, mineral spirits have less toxicity, less odor, and lower volatility. It is safer to use indoors and doesn’t evaporate as quickly if you need to leave the brushes to soak.
Yes, you should wear a mask when using mineral spirits. Mineral spirits are not safe to inhale—inhalation can result in poisoning. You should also open a window to provide some ventilation.
