Paint Thinner

A paint thinner is a solvent or mixture of solvents compatible with a paint. Generally, a paint thinner is used to modify the viscosity of the product in order to adapt it to the application equipment (e.g., for spray gun applications) or to apply it as a primer coat. This type of product makes it possible to adjust the viscosity (fluidity). It must be perfectly compatible so as not to interfere with the coalescence phenomenon (film formation). It can also be used to clean application equipment: in that case, it would be referred to as a paint thinner cleaner. We offer several types of thinners: for oil-based paints, water-based paints, for varnishes and resins, but also white spirit substitutes and products with a good ecological profile.

A paint thinner is a solvent perfectly compatible with the paint. It can easily mix with the paint without changing or altering the drying properties and parameters of the paint (film formation, coalescence, cross-linking…). Conversely, a paint thinner cleaner has been developed solely to facilitate cleaning. In its composition, it may use heavy solvents and other additives that do not take into account the issues of cross-linking and film formation.

A paint is generally composed of a multitude of components, mainly a resin and a base. Depending on the nature of this base, solvent-based or water-based, it is possible to determine the nature of the paint cleaner. With the product suited to the resin and the base, you obtain the right paint thinner. This results in easy cleaning of paint from tools: brushes, spray guns,... Find our paint thinners on this page.

To choose the right thinner, it is essential to distinguish 2 main categories of paints. First, water-based paints, which can be cleaned with water, but also with water-soluble solutions to improve the removal of fillers and pigments. Then, solvent-based paints, for which we have suitable thinners depending on their exact nature. Our advisors are available to assist you.