 H3nav wrote: |
Ross, what's your thoughts on using lacquer thinner vs mineral spirits as a thinner and / or cleaner? E |
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"Lacquer thinner" like "paint thinner" has no specific composition, and its composition varies far more widely than paint thinner. Some lacquer thinners work fine as reducers or cleaners for enamels, and some turn them to rubbery goo. YMMV.
There are also lacquers that have mineral spirits as one of their major solvents, but they are relatively uncommon. Mineral spirits is compatible with many lacquers, but its slow evaporation rate makes it an unusual choice.
Lacquers tend to be specialized coatings because they have very different properties than enamels: primarily that they form a coating by drying, whereas enamels form coatings by curing. Automotive lacquers are often highly specialized; many things called lacquers are actually combinations of enamel and lacquer, and form coatings both by drying and by curing.
Rule of thumb No. 1: When using a lacquer, use the manufacturer's recommended solvent(s) for reducing and or cleaning.
Rule of thumb No. 2: Mineral spirits is the nearly universal solvent for enamels. It can be used for both reduction and cleaning.
The term "reducer" is used for a solvent used, generally in substantial amount, to reduce the paint viscosity for spray application. The term "thinner" is used for a solvent used in small amounts to adjust the viscosity of a paint for production specifications, brush or dynamic application. Whether you call the solvent a reducer or a thinner depends on the use. Unfortunately, both within and outside of the paint industry, the terms are often used interchangeably.