Mineral spirits and acetone spirits are two very widely used thinners. People mostly confuse them and use one for the other.
Most people confuse mineral and acetone spirits, mainly because they both are used as thinners.
Painters use mineral spirits as a thinner to thin the paint before using them with paint sprays. Acetone spirits, on the other hand, are used to thin lacquer.
Some people do not prefer Mineral spirits because they are oil-based and leave a residue behind. Acetone is a natural compound found in our bodies in small amounts.
Solvents and thinners are indispensable necessities for painting. Acetone and mineral spirits are two of the most well-known ones.
Key Takeaways
- Mineral spirits are petroleum-based solvents used for thinning oil-based paints and cleaning surfaces; acetone is an organic compound used as a powerful solvent for various applications, including dissolving adhesives and cleaning tools.
- Mineral spirits have a milder odour and are less volatile; acetone has a strong, sweet smell and evaporates quickly.
- Mineral spirits are less aggressive and better suited for delicate surfaces; acetone is a more potent solvent, suitable for removing stubborn substances.
Mineral Spirits vs. Acetone Spirits
The difference between mineral spirits and acetone spirits is that mineral spirits are used to thin oil-based paints, while acetone spirits are used to thin lacquers.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Mineral Spirit | Acetone Spirit |
|---|---|---|
| Used to thin | Mineral spirits are used to thin oil-based paints. | Acetone spirits are used to thin lacquers, for example, nail polish. |
| Water solubility | Mineral spirits are not water-soluble. | Acetone spirits are water-soluble. |
| Flammability | Mineral spirits are less flammable hence they present less fire hazard. | Acetone spirits are highly flammable; hence they present a high fire hazard. |
| Odor | Mineral spirits are either odorless or smell like kerosene. | Acetone spirits have a very pungent smell. |
| Appearance/Color | Mineral spirits are transparent. | Acetone spirits are colorless. |
| Life | Mineral spirits have a very long life as they evaporate very slowly | Acetone spirits have an indefinite shelf life. They may go bad if exposed to air, water, or light. |
What are Mineral Spirits?
Mineral spirits are made out of petroleum and are very cheaply available. These also have a very long life.
These are purified petroleum distillate which was made as a substitute for turpentine. They became instantly more popular than turpentine after their introduction.
They are an organic solvent that has various applications. They are mostly used as paint thinner and are called a ‘painter’s friend.’
Mineral spirits are also recyclable. They have to be disposed of very carefully as they may contaminate groundwater if not disposed of properly.
Mineral spirits have a primary role in the oil industry, furniture industry, dry cleaning industry, and mechanical industry.
Mineral spirits are water-soluble in nature and transparent in appearance. They are less flammable and hence pose very little risk of fire.
What are Acetone Spirits?
Acetone is an organic solvent. In earlier days, when chemical synthesis was not introduced, acetone spirits were produced using fermentation. Production of acetone spirits using chemical synthesis methods started in the 1960s.
It is also known as propanone. It is the primary ingredient in nail polish and acne remover treatments. It is also used as a degreaser.
It is soluble in water and has a transparent appearance. It is highly flammable and hence poses a high risk of catching fire.
Acetone spirits can remove nail polish, dissolve ink stains, remove scuff marks from floors, remove permanent markers, clean tools, and dissolve glues.
Acetone had to be disposed of very carefully. Acetone is a paint stripper but not a paint thinner.
Main Differences Between Mineral Spirits and Acetone Spirits
- Mineral spirits are used to thin oil-based paints, while Acetone spirits are used to thin lacquers like nail polish. Many-a-times, people use them interchangeably. It must be noted that mineral spirits and acetone spirits cannot be used interchangeably.
- Mineral spirits are not water-soluble, while Acetone spirits are water-soluble.
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10915810701876786
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10915810701876786
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
The article does a great job in explaining the differences between mineral spirits and acetone spirits. It is very informative.
I agree. It’s very detailed and well-organized.
The comparison table was extremely helpful for differentiating between mineral spirits and acetone spirits.
I couldn’t agree more. It helped me understand the main differences clearly.
Very practical indeed
This was very dull to read. To technical for me.
It could be a lot worse. It was not bad.
Not at all! It was a great read for me.
I found the post to be a great educational resource on these solvents.
This post is a valuable addition to my knowledge of solvents.
Definitely, it’s not you find such thorough information in one place.
I think I will have to read it again. Might take a minute
Suit yourself. I found it quite interesting and insightful.
The tone of the post was too serious for my taste.
I appreciated the serious tone. It’s detailed information.
Each to their own, I found it fascinating.
Very useful. I have never understood the difference before.
A highly informative piece of writing, I’m impressed.
Very insightful indeed.
It’s always beneficial to learn the differences between common household solvents.
There’s no doubt that these solvents are indispensable for painting. A very compelling read!
I’m impressed by the depth of this article. It seems well-researched and thorough.
Absolutely, I’d love to know more about how they compare in terms of safety procedures too.
Very well-written and comprehensive article, I appreciate it.
Me too, I found it enlightening and clearly presented.
I particularly enjoyed the detailed information on their individual solubilities.