Turpentine

In our paints and decorating department you may have noticed a product called turpentine. You may have even noticed products that refer to themselves as an alternative to Turpentine.

What is Turpentine?

Turpentine is a strong smelling natural solvent. It occurs as a product of Pine Trees.

The name ‘Turpentine’ was taken from one of the earlier trees used to distill the product, a tree called ‘Terebinth’ or the Turpentine tree.

Turpentine use is known to date back as far as the 16th century.

There are said to be different levels of purity of Turpentine. Smaller bottles are often found to be more refined than some of the larger cans of Turpentine available.

What is Turpentine used for?

Turpentine solvent is considered an artist’s painting medium.

It is a well known paint thinner and brush cleaner.

Adding Turpentine to oil paint i.e tube oil paint is a great way to control the paint and ensure it is evenly distributed, in that the paint is smoother.

Turpentine, or Turps, is regularly used to clean paint brushes.

To remove oil based paint, simply pour some Turpentine into a bowl and leave the brush to soak.

The Turpentine dissolves the resins from the paint making for a cleaner and softer brush.

Where can I get it?

The real artists medium Turpentine is generally called ‘Pure Gum Turpentine’ or ‘Genuine Turpentine’.

This is the more refined Turpentine that is preferred for oil painting use.

You can find these in store at Lenehans; Rustins Pure Gum Turpentine and Douglas Genuine Turpentine.

These are also said to be ideal for dissolving Beeswax to make a wax polish.

Other places can sell larger cans of Turpentine that may be less refined and are more suited for larger house painting jobs and cleaning brushes.

Our Turpentine is available in store in 4 Litre, 500ml and 300ml bottles.

Tags: pine trees paint thinner brush cleaner artist's choice