Best Paint Solvents of 2026
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Paint solvents are essential products for anyone who regularly works with paint or coatings. These solvents are designed to help dissolve and thin paint, making it easier to apply and work with. They can also be used to clean up paint brushes and other tools after use. There are a variety of different types of paint solvents available, including mineral spirits, turpentine, and denatured alcohol. Each type has its own unique properties and uses, so it's important to choose the right one for your specific needs. Overall, paint solvents are a must-have for anyone who wants to achieve a professional-looking finish on their paint projects.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Paint Solvents
KLEAN-STRIP GKSP94214 Mineral Spirits
The KLEAN-STRIP Mineral Spirits is a handy product for anyone working on indoor projects. It helps you clean up after your tasks easily, making your workspace tidier. If you’re using oil-based paint, this product thins it to the right consistency, so it applies smoothly. It also works well for thinning stains and varnishes, helping you achieve an even finish. Plus, it’s great for cleaning your brushes, saving you time and effort when switching between colors or finishing your work. With these features, you can enjoy a more efficient and cleaner painting experience.
Klean-Strip QSL26 Denatured Alcohol 1-Quart
The Klean-Strip Denatured Alcohol offers a clean and efficient fuel source for your alcohol-burning appliances. It burns with a hot, clear flame that helps you cook or heat without leaving any unpleasant odors or smoke, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use. This product is especially useful if you use marine stoves, as it is designed to work well in those settings, providing reliable and steady heat. With this alcohol, you can enjoy a cleaner burn that reduces mess and makes your cooking or heating experience more convenient and pleasant.
Klean Strip Lacquer Thinner 1 Gallon
KLEAN-STRIP Lacquer Thinner is a versatile paint solvent that excels in cleaning sprayers, tools, improving flow, and enhancing leveling of your projects. Cleaning sprayers and tools with this thinner ensures their longevity and optimal performance. Improving flow and leveling results in a smoother finish, making your painting tasks easier and more professional. Additionally, it helps resist blushing, preventing a cloudy or milky appearance on your surfaces.
Sunnyside Corporation 80032 Naphtha
Sunnyside Naphtha is a fast-evaporating paint thinner that accelerates dry time for oil-based paints. It also serves as an excellent cleaner and degreaser, ideal for various cleaning tasks. Moreover, it works effectively as a pre-paint cleaner for metal surfaces. By using Sunnyside Naphtha, you can speed up your painting projects, ensure thorough cleaning, and achieve optimal paint adhesion on metal surfaces. Remember to read the label carefully before using this versatile product.
Mohawk No-Blush Plus Retarder Spray Can M103-0475
The Mohawk No-Blush Retarder is designed to help you easily fix blushing issues on wood surfaces like furniture, cabinets, and flooring. It works by softening the finish, allowing trapped moisture to escape, which restores the look of your wood projects. This spray is especially handy if you need to remove unsightly cup or water rings from your wood surfaces. Using it is simple—just shake the can well and spray from about 12 to 14 inches away in thin layers, reapplying only if necessary. This makes it a convenient and effective choice for your wood repair needs.
Sunnyside 70532 Pure Odorless Paint Thinner, Quart
The Sunnyside Odorless Paint Thinner is a high-quality solvent designed for thinning oil-based paints, primers, varnishes, and stains. It is completely odorless, making it perfect for use indoors, especially in hospitals or nursing homes where an odorless thinner is required. Additionally, this paint thinner can also be used to remove and dissolve grease, grime, and oil. With its versatile applications, the Sunnyside Odorless Paint Thinner provides convenience and ease of use for various painting projects. Please note that it is not suitable for use with latex paint or water-based coatings.
Fasco Epoxies Cabosil Fumed Silica Thickener
The Fasco Cabosil Thickener is a versatile powder that helps you easily thicken epoxy, silicone, paints, and varnishes. This means your liquids become thicker and won’t drip or sag, making your projects neater and more precise. It also acts as a strong adhesive, giving you extra strength for gel coats, epoxy, polyester, and paint applications, so your work holds together better. You can use it to stiffen ceramic blankets as well. Plus, it works well for rubber reinforcement and can be combined with fillers or fibers to keep everything in place without sagging. Its hydrophilic surface helps it mix smoothly for consistent results.
Rust-Oleum Zinsser 704H Shellac
Zinsser Shellac by Rust-Oleum is a classic finish for wood trim, paneling, and furniture. This all-natural and non-toxic product is easy to use and adds great value. Its amber color gives a warm, rich tone to enhance the beauty of the wood. Zinsser Shellac is perfect for DIY enthusiasts who want to achieve a professional-looking result. Its classic finish gives a timeless look that never goes out of style. Use it to give your furniture, paneling, or trim a unique look that is both elegant and durable.
KLEAN-STRIP Paint Thinner 1 Qt
KLEAN-STRIP Paint Thinner is an essential product for anyone working with paint. This solvent is designed to effectively thin paints, making application smoother and easier. You'll find it helpful for cleaning brushes and tools, ensuring they remain in good condition after use. Additionally, it can assist in removing unwanted paint spills or stains from surfaces, providing you with a cleaner workspace. With its 1-quart size, this product is convenient for small to medium projects, ensuring you have just the right amount on hand when you need it.
Duratool 18-Inch T-Bar Applicator with Refill Pad
The Duratool T-Bar Applicator is designed to help you apply floor coatings smoothly and evenly. Its wide coverage makes it easy to cover large areas quickly, saving you time on big jobs. You also get a refill pad included, so you don’t need to buy extra parts separately, which adds convenience and value. This tool is built to be long-lasting, meaning you can rely on it for many projects without worrying about wear and tear. Whether you’re working with polyurethane, stains, or sealers, this applicator helps you get the job done efficiently and cost-effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the solvents used in paint?
Paint solvents can include aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene, toluene, mixed xylenes, ethylbenzene, and high flash aromatic napthas. Aliphatic hydrocarbons such as hexanes, heptane, and VM&P naphtha are also commonly used in paint solvents.
2. What solvent can dissolve paint?
Acetone is a commonly used solvent that can dissolve paint, varnish, and grease. It evaporates quickly and is found naturally in trees, plants, tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust, and landfills.
3. What is the most common paint solvent?
Some of the most common paint solvents include white spirit, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, methylated spirits, standard/cellulose thinner, and multipurpose, xylene-based thinners.
4. What are the 3 most common types of solvents?
The three most common types of solvents are oxygenated solvents (containing oxygen in their molecular structure), hydrocarbon solvents (derived from petroleum and containing hydrogen and carbon atoms), and halogenated solvents.
5. Is mineral spirits the same as denatured alcohol?
Mineral spirits and denatured alcohol are not the same. Denatured alcohol is derived from plants, while mineral spirits are made from petroleum. They have different chemical compositions and uses.
6. What is a substitute for mineral spirits?
A substitute for mineral spirits can be denatured alcohol, which works well as a solvent for cleaning. Turpentine and charcoal lighter fluid, which are made of mineral spirits, can also be used for cleaning or thinning paints.
7. How do you liquify hardened paint?
To liquify hardened paint, you can add water. Dip a paintbrush in clean water and gently tap the water onto the paint. Work the water into the paint using the brush, adding more water if needed, until the paint becomes more liquid.
8. Does hydrogen peroxide dissolve paint?
Hydrogen peroxide can be effective in removing paint. Dampen a cloth, scrubber, or steel wool with hydrogen peroxide and cover the painted surface. However, it is important to use gloves and ensure proper ventilation when using hydrogen peroxide.
9. Is rubbing alcohol a paint thinner?
Rubbing alcohol is not commonly used as a paint thinner. White spirit, isopropyl alcohol, and acetone are more commonly used solvents and thinners in the paint industry and for DIY projects.
During our paint solvent research, we found 24 paint solvent products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 53,738 customer reviews through our big data system to write the paint solvents list. We found that most customers choose paint solvents with an average price of $18.84.
The paint solvents are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of paint solvents, including KLEAN-STRIP, Klean-Strip Green, Sunnyside Corporation, Mohawk Finishing Products, Fasco Epoxies. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
Howard Chester is an architect from New York who holds a master's degree in architectural design, his passions for interior design and home improvement contribute to his extensive knowledge of all things furniture and home goods. Howard Chester Specializes in various architectural and interior design projects. He often publishes articles related to decoration on key websites and interior design magazines.