Kristin Lia Restoration

Use: can help prolong its lifespan, enhance its appearance, and prepare it for further treatment or finishing

What exactly are mineral spirits?

Mineral spirits and paint thinner start out the same, but the solvent in a can of mineral spirits is more refined than what’s in a can of paint thinner. This added refinement equates to fewer extraneous compounds and less odour.

Mineral spirits is a term that specifies the product’s composition, while paint thinner is a generalized term that describes the product’s function, not its composition. Common examples of paint thinners include turpentine, acetone, naphtha, toluene, and xylene.

Mineral spirits work as solvents that dissolve oil and solvent-based wood finishing products. This is what gives them the ability to cut through these finishes, loosening their bonds and removing them from surfaces where they are unneeded.

Why use mineral spirits to clean wood?

Cleaning wood with mineral spirits before staining or applying a finish has its advantages:

• does not raise the grain as water does
• promotes the absorption of wood stains into the pores in the wood; thus helping to create a richer finish
• dries faster because they are volatile, so they make the cleaning process faster

NOTE: ONLY CLEAN RAW WOOD WITH MINERAL SPIRTS IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE APPLYING AN OIL-BASE PRODUCT.

Directions:

1. Sand the wood
2. Dampen a clean, lint-free rag with mineral spirits
3. Wipe the wood with a dampened rag- move gently, with even strokes in the direction of the wood grain. It’s important to wipe in one direction to avoid redistributing the residue back onto the surface of the wood with the cloth.
4. Dry the wood with a dry rag.
5. Air dry the wood- shouldn’t have to wait no more than 20 minutes.

REMEMBER

Mineral spirits can be dangerous if not handled or disposed of properly. It’s important to take appropriate safety precautions when using them and to follow local regulations for their disposal.

Odourless DOES NOT MEAN VAPOURLESS!

(direct quote from @ooakcycle!)