The Best Paint Thinner In 2023

When it comes to coloring something, what is the most important item for you?

I am pretty sure the answer would be ‘the paint’. It is the soul of the art piece itself. It is what gives the art life.

You should also be very careful about what thinner and what solvent you are pouring on your paint. The addition of each drop will create differences in your paint’s texture and evenness.

So, it is very important to choose a quality ensured thinner. The best paint thinner will help you gain the finest paint consistency for your crucial piece of work.

My Top Picks

Top 4 Best Paint Thinner

To make the search easy and quick, I have listed only 4 of the best paint thinners for you.

1. Weber Odorless Turpenoid Artist Paint Thinner and Cleaner

Weber Odorless Turpenoid Artist Paint Thinner and Cleaner

Finding a paint thinner like this one is a blessing to your work.

It is one of the finest alternatives for pungent smell-bearing turpentine. No need to withstand that unbearable strong smell of turpentine anymore.

This odorless substitute will give you almost the same service as turpentine cutting the drawbacks.

You won’t have to contemplate its working ability. If you have always used regular turpentine and want to switch, you should switch without worrying. Turpenoid has similar properties for thinning paint as turpentine but with much more benefits.

And as for drying time, it is also much similar. It’s a volatile substance. It dries up just like a regularly used turpentine. You can use it as you used your turpentine all this time.

This compatible paint thinner works on alkyd and oil-based colors. It does not affect the actual color. It one of the best paint thinners for oil paint. Retaining the authentic pigment, the thinner helps in thinning the paint into a usable form.

Pros:

  • Offers the same drying time and painting properties as turpentine
  • Comes with a little to no odor unlike turpentine
  • Compatible with alkyd colors and oil paint
  • Mix with the paint for thinning without affecting the color
  • Suitable to clean the color brush

Cons:

  • Bottlecap is a struggle to unscrew.

2. Sunnyside Paint Thinner Cleaner & Degreaser

Sunnyside 70132 Paint Thinner, Cleaner, and Degreaser

Your oil-based paints need something compatible with them. The texture of the paint changes with the thinner you are using.

If it is not the right one it will ruin the fineness you are looking for. This paint thinner is being introduced to save you from such a hurdle.

This paint thinner is highly suitable for oil-based paint thinning work. You can gain the perfection of the consistency you require using this thinner.

Only you have to work maintaining the accurate ratio of paint and thinner, rest is done itself. Each stroke of paint will be smooth and flow just the way you want it.

The thinner shows a high solvency nature that can dissolve the paint to provide thinness. It is not only limited to thinning paint but also bears the capability of dissolving greasy materials.

You can use it to degrease your tools and brushes which got dirt and grease deposited on them. It works really fast against stains and varnishes. If you want to undo a stroke, you can use this strong thinner to act quickly.

Pros:

  • Capable of thinning any kind of varnish, oil-based paint, and stains
  • Clean brushes when the paint is normal
  • Dry fast enough to save your time
  • Easy to use for painting or art projects
  • Does not damage the color much

Cons:

  • Strong toxic smell might not be good for art or indoor use.

3. Testors Model Master Paint Thinner

Testors Model Master Paint thinner

Do you like using enamel paints? You need to take a look at this specialized thinner for enamel paints. It is a great thinner that works on oil-based or enamel-based paints.

The thinner consists of such chemical properties, making it ideal for such paints. It is one of the best paint thinners you will find in the market for enamel paint.

This thinner will help you obtain the right consistency you want for your painting. Not too runny not too dense. Using the thinner at accurate ratios, you can get it just the way you want it.

The drying time of the thinner is not too long or not too short. It just works at the right speed. You can have enough time to thin your paint and put it in the right consistency before it starts to evaporate away. It is a volatile substance which also flammable. You must stay cautious while using it.

Not only as a thinner, but it is also well known for its cleaning skills. It works as a great cleaning agent. You can use it against unwanted stains and grease on your equipment.

Pros:

  • Odorless solvent makes it perfect for an artist or home use
  • Can thin primers, varnishes, oil-based paints, and stains effortlessly
  • Capable of dissolving and removing different types of grease, grime, and oil from tools
  • Cleans paint brushes like a pro after the use
  • Offers a fast-drying capacity to save your time

Cons:

  • Not suitable for water-based coatings or latex paint.

4. Mona Lisa 32-Ounce Odorless Paint Thinner

Mona Lisa 32-Ounce Odorless Paint Thinner

Your painting sessions must not be halted for the thinning job. You need a thinner that can work fast and effectively in no time. And you get that here.

This super impressive paint thinner is something many big artists cherish. You will feel the difference once you use it for yourself. This best paint thinner for oil-based paints is the ultimate thing you would want to have.

You may feel so relaxed working with the old-school regular turpentine. But a slight change in thinner can make a big difference in your work.

This odorless thinner won’t even give you headache or nausea due to the strong smell that a turpentine cause.

On top of that, it gives a brilliant result in thinning the paint.

It is a versatile thinner that can also be used as a cleaning agent. You can clean stain, varnish, grease, or oil with this. It is strong enough to work against them and leave a clean surface no matter what you use it on.

Pros:

  • Suitable for lacquer, varnish, oil-based paint, adhesives, and epoxy
  • Compatible with hard to thin coatings including anti-rust, deck paints, and other enamels
  • Capable of cleaning paint equipment after use
  • Medium-fast evaporating allows the paint to distribute evenly for a better finish
  • Easy to mix with the paint for effortless use

Cons:

  • Comes with a medium odor that can be unpleasant.

Things to Consider Before Buying A Paint Thinner

Paint Thinner Can, Brush & Roller

But how to pick the best paint thinner? The suggestion is not enough to make the right decision. Well, then here is the buying guide for you.

Types of Thinner

There are different types of paint thinners available in the market. You will find a specific type of thinner for acrylics, which is the case with oil-based paint. Make sure to know the type of thinner you need for the specific paint you are going to use.

Compatibility

Along with the thinner type, compatibility is also important. Some paint thinners are suitable for hard and strong paint whereas some are compatible with weak ones. You need to know the compatibility of the thinner before picking.

Some people use the thinner for art purposes. If you are an artist, check whether the thinner is compatible with color paint.

Cleaning Ability

Most of the thinners are used to clean painting brushes. Some even remove greases and oils from tools. So, get one with such capability. Cleaning the brush after painting will be a lot easier. So check the cleaning ability of the thinner before buying.

Drying Capacity

You may need a thinner that dries fast. It will save you a lot of time. Some people even prefer a thinner with medium-drying capacity since it helps the paint be distributed evenly for a flawless finish. Know which one you require and pick accordingly.

Bottle Size Is Also Important

A lot of people make mistakes picking the right size of the bottle. You need a large bottle for a large painting project where a small bottle will be good enough for your art job. Know your amount requirement and pick the right size.

Is It Odorless?

Finally, check whether the paint is odorless or not. Thinners with odor are not good for artistic or indoor jobs. They are unhealthy for man and make the environment polluted. Try to avoid one with a bad odor since it can make your working experience with the thinner worse.

How to Use Paint Thinner

Using a paint thinner is the easiest thing to do if the ratios are maintained accurately. It does not have too many steps and can be done instantly.

Step 1:

The first step is to choose the right thinner. The type of thinner you will be using depends on the nature of paint you are using in your work. It also depends on the technique of painting too.

For example, if you want to use the spray technique of painting, you must choose the finest paint thinner for the spray gun.

Step 2:

After you are done selecting your right thinner, then you can move to the main work i.e., thinning. You need to be careful with your hand while adding the thinner to the paint. You must do it little by little. Don’t be hasty on this step.

Add them maintaining the right ratio of paint to thinner. You may find the ratio guide on the manufacturer’s instruction if you need assistance. The amount of thinner must be less than the paint so that the paint does not become all runny and less pigmented.

However, the paint must be made a little thinner while spraying.

Again, you must keep an eye on when using paint that is lower in temperature than normal room temperature. Cold paint seems to be much thicker than normal paint.

So, you should not use too much thinner at a time while dealing with cold paint. Rather wait for a little as you mix your thinner.

Step 3:

And lastly, as you finish thinning your paint, now it’s time to test it. You must not directly put the paint on your work.

First, you should try out the thin paint as a test. You should check if the texture and consistency are just how you need it. This eliminates the risk of unwanted mistakes.

FAQs about Paint Thinner

Does inhaling the thinner is harmful to health?

Paint thinner is harmful if by mistake inhaled or swallowed. The fumes are potentially harmful to health. It can make you nauseous or dizzy and feel lightheaded. The inhaled hydrocarbons going into the lungs are likely to create damages.
Therefore, taking necessary measures like wearing a face mask or face shield before handling the thinner is essential.

Is there a difference between paint thinner and mineral spirits?

Paint thinner and mineral spirits are almost the same things. Mineral spirits contain less odor compared to paint thinner but are way more expensive than paint thinner.

What are the uses of Paint thinner?

Paint thinners are mainly used for diluting paint. It helps change the paint’s viscosity to offer a smooth and streak-free finish on materials applied.
Besides this, paint thinner works as a good cleaning agent. It can clean unwanted paint, paintbrushes, grease or tar, engines, machines or tools, and other materials. Its composition and thinning capability make it a strong paint cleaner. But it should not be used as a cleaner for large surfaces due to its toxicity level.

How long does it take for paint thinner to dry?

Paint thinners take a lot less time than other types of thinners to dry. Between lacquer thinner vs paint thinner, paint thinners have a higher drying speed. It takes approximately 20 minutes.
For accuracy, you should read the manufacturer’s instructions because some paint thinners are made to work even faster than the average ones.

Final Words

Did you find what you are looking for?

I bet you did. The list contains all the best paint thinners which are hard to reject.

However, your choice must reflect your requirements. You must choose wisely depending on the paint you are using on your work.

All the paint thinner in this list works for oil-based paints. All of them are highly praised by the users for their performance.

But as for choosing, you need to settle for one. I would suggest you go for Sunnyside 70132 Paint Thinner. I am suggesting this one as it is the strongest paint thinner on the list.

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A List of My Favorite Lacquer Thinner.

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