Are mineral spirits and kerosene the same?

Use mineral spirits when you want a slower-evaporating solvent and you don't mind the oiliness. Mineral spirits is good for thinning oils and varnishes. Kerosene is not used much in finishing because it evaporates much too slowly, and it is very oily.
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Is mineral spirits a kerosene?

Mineral spirits have a characteristic unpleasant kerosene-like odor. Chemical manufacturers have developed a low odor version of mineral turpentine which contains less of the highly volatile shorter hydrocarbons.
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What is the same as mineral spirits?

For most residential users, mineral spirits and paint thinner can be used interchangeably. Both mineral spirits and paint thinners that are blended mineral spirits perform largely the same functions. Both are clean, clear, and non-sticky solvents for thinning and for cleaning oil-based paints, stains, and varnishes.
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What is the closest thing to mineral spirits?

What can be used instead of mineral spirits? Some of the best alternatives include; denatured alcohol, turpentine, acetone, and charcoal lighter fluid.
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What is the difference between kerosene and mineral turpentine?

The key difference between kerosene and turpentine is that kerosene is obtained from crude petroleum, whereas turpentine is obtained from pine resins. Because of this origin, kerosene has a petroleum-like odour while turpentine has a sweet and piney odour.
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Understanding solvents



Is paint thinner the same as kerosene?

The term paint thinner can be synonymous with mineral spirits in commercial terms, according to TheFreeDictionary.com. Turpentine is an oily extract of pine resin, and kerosene is derived from crude petroleum.
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Can you use kerosene to clean oil paint brushes?

Painters commonly use kerosene to clean their paintbrushes after painting, because the kerosene cleans the brush without damaging the bristles. Brushes cleaned with harsher solvents often lose their springiness. Kerosene can clean oil paint off other surfaces, too.
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Is rubbing alcohol the same as mineral spirits?

Denatured alcohol and mineral spirits are different organic solvents with different compositions and applications. The main difference between denatured alcohol and mineral spirits is that denatured alcohol appears in violet color while mineral spirits are available as clear liquids.
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What is stronger than mineral spirits?

Naphtha is a more powerful solvent than mineral spirits, so less is needed to thin the same amount of paint.
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Can mineral spirits go down the drain?

Never pour mineral spirits down the drains or into the sewers. It can contaminate the groundwater. Beware that mineral spirits can't be poured onto the ground or into the garbage can. They can only be disposed of properly at a waste management event or facility.
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Is there a difference between mineral oil and mineral spirits?

The main difference between mineral oil and mineral spirits is that mineral oil is food-safe, non-toxic, and odorless. In contrast, mineral spirits are not food safe and often contain volatile organic compounds making them toxic, with a strong odor that you may find unpleasant.
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Is baby oil the same as mineral spirits?

Differences. Mineral oil is a hydrocarbon compound also known as paraffin oil, liquid petrolatum, white mineral oil and Nujol. The only difference between baby oil and mineral oil in general is that baby oil has added fragrance.
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What do you use mineral spirits for?

Here are eight ways to put mineral spirits to use.
  1. Clean paintbrushes and other painting tools. ...
  2. Thin paint. ...
  3. Degrease automotive parts. ...
  4. Remove paint spills. ...
  5. Wipe away sticky price tags residue. ...
  6. Clean scuff marks off your floors. ...
  7. Clean and restore wood furniture. ...
  8. Get garden tools shiny (and less sticky)
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What can I use instead of kerosene for cleaning?

Generic lamp oil can be used as a substitute to kerosene in lamps. Lamp oil is generally more expensive than kerosene but burns cleaner and with less odor than kerosene. Citronella oil can be burned in wick lamps but produces a larger amount of smoke and soot and quickly fouls wicks.
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What can you use instead of kerosene in a kerosene heater?

3 Substitutes For Kerosene in Lamps
  • Lamp Oil- Produces a cleaner smoke as well as having a much more bearable odor than kerosene. Here is an example brand, found on Amazon.
  • Bio-Diesel- You could also use bio-diesel that had been specially made for lamps. ...
  • Jet fuel- This stuff mainly contains kerosene.
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What is kerosene used for in painting?

Fine artists and decorative artists have also use kerosene as a paint additive when mixing up glazes. The reason kerosene is used is twofold. First, it increases the open time of the glaze. Secondly, because kerosene is a hot solvent, it can improve intercoat adhesion between layers of glazes.
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Is acetone the same as mineral spirits?

Differences between acetone and mineral spirits

Acetone is mainly used in the beauty industry as a nail polish remover as well as paint thinner. On the other hand, mineral spirits are basically used for thinning varnishes and paints and as a solvent as well as cleaning.
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Is paint thinner the same thing as mineral spirits?

Paint thinner is mineral spirits, but in a less refined form. It contains other types of solvents, which makes it a lot smellier and more volatile. Mineral spirits is not as stinky. Because it's more refined, it's slightly more effective in smaller quantities than paint lacquer thinner.
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Can I use acetone instead of mineral spirits?

Acetone is somewhat more versatile than mineral spirits and paint thinners; while it can be used to thin paints, it has other uses as well. For example, acetone mixes well with water, which makes it an ideal ingredient in many solvents.
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Is lighter fluid mineral spirits?

Charcoal lighter fluid is a flammable fluid used to accelerate the ignition of charcoal in a barbecue grill. It can either be petroleum based (e.g., mineral spirits) or alcohol based (usually methanol or ethanol).
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Can you use mineral spirits in alcohol stove?

The above fuels are only ones that should be used in a Trangia stove. Fuels that should NOT be used include: Varsol, Paint or Laquer Thinner, Turpentine or Mineral Spirits (don't let the name fool you, it's petroleum based).
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Can you mix alcohol and mineral spirits?

Denatured alcohol and mineral spirits won't mix, and there is no reason to try to mix them either. Both mineral spirits and denatured alcohol are capable of acting as a solvent by themselves (with different use cases), and attempting to combine them wouldn't achieve anything at all.
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Can I use kerosene to mix oil paint?

Kerosene is NOT a good medium for oil paint. Use odorless turp to thin paint and clean brushes. You also could use brush soap on your brushes. Kerosene is not a good medium, However, I've been assured that gasoline is the best solvent for cleaning your brushes.
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Will kerosene remove spray paint?

Take any paint thinner, kerosene, gasoline or turpentine and apply a small amount to a clean white cloth. Now very lightly rub over the paint you want to remove. If you see the paint color being transferred to the cloth, then its enamel.
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Is kerosene safe on car paint?

Kerosene would not be harsh on your paint, after all most waxes have kerosene or mineral spirits in it. If you want to try this use pure kerosene not diesel fuel. Diesel fuel will make a big mess.
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