What to replace white spirit with. How to replace solvent for oil paints? S50 Thinner for PU universal

Oil paint is used either directly from the tube or with solvents added to it. In each of these cases, the most stable film on the paint surface is obtained. There are a huge number of solvents for oil paints and each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. There are situations when it is not possible to use a special solvent, so you need to know what can replace the solvent for oil paints.

One of the most common types of solvent for these paints is not P-4 solvent, but regular gasoline. It is a colorless, transparent, flammable liquid with a pungent, characteristic odor. Pure gasoline at home is used only as a solvent - for diluting putties, varnishes, pentaphthalic, alkyd and of course oil enamels. For degreasing the surface before painting, as well as for washing mechanical parts and dry cleaning fabrics.

The next type of solvent for oil paints is turpentine. It is used to dissolve oil and alkyd paints, as well as for the preparation of varnishes based on rosin, copal and dammara. Before white spirit was introduced, turpentine was considered the main solvent for paints and varnishes. It represents complex chemical composition, obtained as a result of processing resin, turpentine or wood (saturated with resin).

There are three main types of turpentine:

1. Stump turpentine, which is obtained by processing the stump part of a coniferous tree.
2. Wood turpentine. It is obtained using special processing branches and trunks coniferous trees. Wood turpentine has an almost brown or yellowish color that disappears during processing.
3. Turpentine turpentine is pure essential oil, which is obtained by distilling resinous secretions from coniferous trees.

But if you couldn’t find the solvents listed above and don’t know how to replace the solvent for oil paints, then you can use regular white spirit. It will be very easy to find it in any building materials store.

It is used as a solvent for some rubbers, fatty alkyds, epoxy esters, polybutyl methacrylate, and is also used in the preparation of organodispersions. It is very effective in diluting oil paints and varnishes, putties, bituminous materials and car preservatives. Using white spirit you can perfectly degrease the surface to be painted.

What paint solvents can be used? At first glance, it seems that nothing is simpler. Each type of paint and varnish material is accompanied by instructions describing the ratio of paint and thinner, as well as the specific type of solvent that must be used in each case. But understanding the technology of dilution of paints, varnishes, primers, the degree and quality of its influence on the result, you can use less expensive paint solvents without compromising the quality of the paint.

Classification of solvents for paints and varnishes

One of the main preparatory processes before starting to paint a car is diluting the paint. The implementation of this stage of work is ambiguous, since along with expensive branded formulations, domestic mixtures can be used.

The main function of the solvent is to dilute the working material to the required viscosity; it should not enter into chemical reaction with paints and other materials. The standard solvent contains the following components: white spirit, solvent, toluene, xylene, alcohols, hydrocarbons. Most diluent mixtures differ from each other in the ratio of various components.

The composition and properties of paint solvents dictate their use with specific paints and varnishes. One of the main requirements is that the paint-dissolving mixture must quickly evaporate from paint, varnish, primer, and enamel under normal conditions. Based on this, paint solvents are classified in a certain way (see table).

When painting a car, any paint material should be diluted to the required viscosity to ensure maximum coverage of the surface. After painting the car body or any structural part, the solvent composition must dry quickly and evaporate.

In addition, such mixtures are necessary not only for high-quality dilution of paints, enamels, varnishes and primers, but also for cleaning and degreasing the surface of the car body or other parts before painting.

Xylene is often used as a solvent for car enamels. This petroleum liquid can replace special proprietary compositions and be used for diluting varnishes, paints and enamels, as well as epoxy resins. Xylene can be used to dilute polyurethane mastics. If you want to coat the car body with a protective varnish, then the most economical thinner in this case will be xylene. It is also part of many popular paint solvents: 649, R-5, RS-2, R-12, RKB-1.

Advantages and features of using mixture 650

Paint thinners have long been widely used in the renovation industry. The most common compositions are 646, 650, which in the last century were used to dilute various enamels and varnishes based on cellulose nitrate. In the modern field of car repair, these compounds not only dilute paint materials, but also clean surfaces and tools.

Solvent 650 has the following composition: xylene, ethyl cellosolve, alcohols, ethers, as well as other components of organic origin. It is a clear or yellowish liquid. Composition 650 is used for diluting car enamels, primers, and varnishes. It is especially in demand in the field of truck repair.

This type of solvent is widely used for diluting cellulose nitrate film formers; it can replace proprietary mixtures without compromising quality. It must be introduced into the solution slowly, stirring constantly until the desired consistency of the mixture is formed. The great demand for composition 650 is due to its advantages:

• low cost;
• Availability in any construction supermarket.
• ease and ease of use;
• wide scope of application;
• versatility;
• the painted surface dries quickly;
• forms an even shiny film.

The high quality of solvent 650 ensures its production in accordance with the specifications. The composition has high levels of fundamental parameters: volatility, acidity, coagulation. This mixture is toxic and flammable, so it should be stored in a well-ventilated area and in compliance with fire safety regulations.

When working with composition 650, you must be careful and take precautions. During the mixing process, you should use a respirator and ensure the room is well ventilated. It is also important to protect your skin and eyes by using rubber gloves and special glasses.

If the composition does get on the skin, then this area of ​​the body should be quickly washed with water. warm water using soap. It is necessary to ensure that the mixture does not get on clothing, as it can destroy artificial, blended or synthetic fabric or dissolve the dye of the fabric.

This is the most famous and frequently used solvent. Its name can be literally translated as follows: White Spirit - “white spirit”. Other names: nefras-C4-155/200 or Stoddard's solvent. Since there are many solvents, let’s consider white spirit so as not to confuse it with any other.

Compound

White spirit contains various hydrocarbons that are obtained as a result of refining petroleum products. Moreover, aliphatic compounds predominate.

Due to the fact that the solvent is obtained during the distillation and filtration of oil, its exact composition is difficult to determine. To monitor the quality and basic properties of white spirit, laboratory tests control some parameters of the liquid:

• the solution should contain no more than 0.025% sulfur;
• the environment is only neutral, the presence of alkali and acid is unacceptable;
• aromatic hydrogens - up to 16%;
• Precipitation and the presence of mechanical impurities are unacceptable.

White spirit is sold in plastic and glass bottles. Its average cost cannot exceed 60-80 rubles per 1 liter; the price largely depends on the manufacturer’s brand.

White spirit solvent is offered by domestic and foreign manufacturers. These are two different products - the foreign solution is thoroughly purified from harmful aromatic hydrocarbons that are harmful to human health and environment. The filtration process is complex and expensive, which affects the price of the product. But we note that with such cleaning the solvent properties of white spirit are significantly reduced. Accordingly, its effectiveness is called into question. For this reason, the domestic product is in greatest demand.

Specifications

Basic technical specifications described in GOST 3134-78 “White spirit. Specifications» in clause 1.2:

Deviations from GOST:

• the mass fraction of aromatic hydrocarbons can be 17% for white spirit obtained from Stavropol, Shaim, Dagestan, Volgograd oil, rich in aromatic compounds;
• the mass fraction of sulfur can be increased to 0.04% for Kazakh and Turkmen oil;
• Xiol volatility was exceeded to 2.5...4.5 for Kazakh, Volgograd, Turkmen, Shaim and Mangyshlak oil;
• The density of white spirit may exceed that established by GOST up to 0.9 g/cm³ due to the uncertain composition of the distillation product of oil and low-sulfur gasoline.

It is worth noting that some parameters can be adjusted by the manufacturer in agreement with the customer, for example, the presence of acids and alkalis in the composition, plate testing.

The solvent does not freeze, does not gain viscosity over time, and its shelf life is practically unlimited.

Hazard Class

Like any products of primary petroleum refining, white spirit is a fire hazard and toxic substance.

The solution maintains and spreads the flame, so it must be stored in a tightly closed container away from sources of fire. Do not work with white spirit near open flames or very hot appliances.

If the solvent ignites, you must use any means other than water to extinguish the flame!

White spirit hazard class is 4 (moderately hazardous). To minimize the harm of the substance, you should adhere to important recommendations when working:

• use personal protective equipment (gloves, respirator);
• carry out work in a well-ventilated area;
• do not contact the substance for more than 5-10 minutes in a row, take breaks with thorough ventilation.

Application

White spirit is in demand in several areas:

• degreasing metal surfaces;
• preparation of degreasing compositions;
• production of paint and varnish solutions (paints, varnishes, primer enamels for wood and metal);
• manufacturing bitumen mastic and bitumen;
• production of grinding pastes;
• collectors and numismatists use it to clean metal coins and antique items from various contaminants.

Is it possible to degrease with white spirit? - Of course, you can. White spirit itself and solutions based on it are suitable for these purposes.

When choosing a composition, you should choose white spirit made in accordance with GOST 3134-78 - nefras-S4-155/200 is often produced according to specifications, so this solution may be of lower quality, and accordingly, its dissolving characteristics may not meet expectations.

How to replace white spirit

If we are talking about the original solution made according to GOST, then in the absence of it it can be replaced with other substances:

• turpentine (wood processing product);
• petrol;
• solvent R-4;
• FAS-104;
• B-70 (technical gasoline);
• solvent

Today on store shelves you can find a variety of solvents with different odors and concentrations. Therefore, there is simply no single recommendation for replacing white spirit - it is necessary to select the composition based on the needs and specifics of use.

Let's summarize

Does white spirit degrease or not? This is one of the most popular solvents, so it copes with this task with a bang. Low cost and high efficiency are the main advantages of spirit over other compounds.

Degreasing metal surfaces, dissolving paints, dissolving tar - these are just some of the ways to use the liquid. The inscription “GOST 3134-78” will help you not to make a mistake and choose a truly high-quality product from Russian manufacturers.

It is also worth remembering about safety: personal protective equipment and good ventilation will help to avoid allergic reactions and irritation of mucous membranes when working with solvent.

Did you know?

In France, White Spirit perfume was created in women's and men's versions. Perfumers did this to show that the smell of solvent can be pleasant. Here's what it says about them

Of course, this is only eau de parfum and it certainly won’t work to dissolve the paint!

Solvent is a mixture of volatiles organic solvents: aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, alcohols and ethers.

A solvent is a substance of organic or inorganic origin that has the properties of dissolving a variety of substances. After its evaporation, the original structure of the dissolved material is restored. Solvents give paints and varnishes the required paint viscosity.

Each solvent is suitable for working only with a certain group of paints:

with oil paints - gasoline, white spirit, turpentine, kerosene;

with glyphthalic, bituminous varnishes and paints- solvent naphtha, turpentine, xylene;

with perchlorovinyl - acetone.

Removers are used for household needs and for removing paint and varnish coatings. The solvent is especially necessary in construction, when carrying out repair work, they dilute various dyes and remove dirt.

GOST 18188-72 used for diluting nitro paints, nitro enamels, nitro putties general purpose, including automobile ones.

GOST 7827-74 used for dilution paint and varnish materials based on polyvinyl chloride resins PSH LS and PSH LN, vinyl chloride copolymers, epoxy resins and other film-forming substances (except for XA-124 gray and protective enamel).

GOST 7827-74 is used for diluting perchlorovinyl, epoxy, silicon-organic, polyacrylate paints and varnishes, as well as rubbers.

GOST 3134-78used for diluting oil paints, enamels and varnishes, as well as paints and varnishes, primers, drying oils and bituminous materials, as well as putties of the following brands: ML, MCH, PF, MS, VN.

GOST 2768-84used for dissolving natural resins, oils, cellulose diacetate, polystyrene, epoxy resins, vinyl chloride copolymers, polyacrylates, chlorinated rubber, for degreasing surfaces, for the synthesis of acetic anhydride, acetone cyanohydrin, diphenylolpropane and other organic products.

Solvent oil GOST 10214-78 used for dissolving bitumen, oils, rubbers and other substances. Formaldehyde, polyacrylate, melamine-alkyd, organosilicon, alkyd-styrene, alkyd-urethane, epoxyester paints and varnishes are brought to working condition by dissolving them with a solvent. It is also part of such mixed solvents as RE-2V, RE-3V, RE-4V, etc.

When comparing solvent and white spirit, you need to immediately make a reservation that these are two solvents, with similar properties, which are produced primarily from crude oil by distilling it in cracking columns in refineries. Without access to oxygen, at temperatures from 130 to 150C, hydrocarbons are evaporated, from which a solvent (solvent) is produced. In the same cracking columns, mixtures of hydrocarbons called white spirits are evaporated at temperatures from 155 to 200C. Aromatic hydrocarbons are evaporated from oil at low temperatures and in solvent form up to 56% of the total mass. The mass of such hydrocarbons in white spirit should not exceed 16%.

In addition to oil cracking, the production of solvent is established when producing coke from coal, when light aromatic fractions of hydrocarbons are released when heated in the form of coke oven gas and are collected when passing through exhaust pipe, condense while passing through coolers, and the output is xylene, toluene and solvent that are quite suitable for consumption. This coke oven gas contains up to 60% light aromatic hydrocarbons. Thanks to more high content aromatic hydrocarbons, solvent, unlike white spirit, has a sharper characteristic odor, which evaporates quite quickly, however, when long work with solvent in a closed, unventilated area, it can cause headache and even hallucinations.

The content of hydrocarbons of varying volatility gives both solvents several various properties, for example, solvent may have a yellowish tint, white spirit is always transparent, solvent dries within 10-20 minutes, white spirit dries within 1-2 hours, solvent gives paints a glossy surface, and white spirit makes the paint matte with an additional film on top. Solvent is used not only for diluting paints, it is also actively used for cleaning metal parts (including car bodies) before painting them. White spirit is more actively used by paint manufacturers and consumers at home. Similar properties include the ability of both solvents to dissolve oil paints and fats. In addition to oil paints, the solvent dissolves nitro paints well. Both solvents are used in the production of glyphthalic, pentaphthalic, alkyd and bitumen paints and varnishes, when removing old dried paints and when removing grease stains before painting. Due to its low odor and low drying speed, white spirit is more actively used in the production of paints. Using solvents, rubbers, bitumens and polyesteramides are dissolved. Sometimes solvent is used to obtain poison from rats and beetles, but this is rather an exception.

Both solvents are flammable substances with a low flash point, and both have the ability to accumulate static electricity, which can cause an explosion. The density of the solvent is higher than the density of white spirit, and they are 0.86 and 0.79, respectively.

Despite assurances of development and improvement of the quality of both solvents, to date not a single oil refinery in Russian Federation does not produce solvents that comply with GOST 1978 and 1979, which determine their regulatory compliance. This happened for a number of reasons:

1. GOST allowed the presence of aromatic hydrocarbons, which made both solvents so odorous that they did not find their use abroad, that is, they are not sold for export. Western analogues do not have the smell and color, which is provided for in the regulations of these countries, so our solvents are very inferior to them.
2. Increasing consumer demands for solvents has led to an increase in the flow of imported solvents. Transparent and completely odorless solvent produced at coal processing plants in Alsace and White Spirit distilled in Norway greatly displaced the production of domestic solvents, making its production unprofitable.
3. The deepening of the oil refining process created conditions when it became possible to distill the fraction of solvents and white spirits with a boiling point from 120 to 200C into more expensive benzenes and gasolines, replacing solvents with inexpensive orthoxyols and toluenes. Today, the production of solvent and white spirit according to GOST standards is not economically profitable, and all oil refineries that sell solvents produce them based on their own specifications. Such solvents do not have the density of the declared solvents and have overly strong odors.
4. Modern developments in chemistry have made it possible to obtain solvent and white spirit by simply mixing various hydrocarbons. As a result, it turned out to be much easier and cheaper to achieve the properties of solvents by adding various hydrocarbons than to carry out complex and costly oil refining processes.
5. Many manufacturers are trying to replace solvent and white spirit with various kerosene-based solvents. Such attempts are quite successful and will probably soon make it possible to completely abandon the centuries-old dependence on petroleum solvents.