Odorless mineral spirits: actually safer, or just hiding the danger?
Some painters swear by odorless mineral spirits — less toxic aromatics, gentler on your lungs, and you can work indoors without fumigating the house. Others argue that "odorless" just means you can't smell when you're being exposed, and at least with turpentine (or regular mineral spirits) your nose warns you to ventilate. I go back and forth on this myself — the convenience is real, but so is the nagging question of whether I'm just breathing something I can't detect.
(The comment badges will show your vote… choose wisely 😈)
Tap an option to voteEnds in 6 days
Posted in Art Debates
12
I switched to Gambol a while ago, mainly because my wife was sensitive to the smell of turpentine which personally I LOVED. Let's face it, odorless solvents are just that, odorless. They are still toxic petroleum distillates. Turpentine is a distillate from pine trees or pulp. That is not to say that it is safer, but is certainly a more sustainable product. I think the whole odorless thing is a misrepresentation.
Personally, I loved the smell of turp and I thought it did a much better job as a paint medium and cleaning brushes. I worked with it for decades with no ill effects, but people commented on it anytime I went painting as if I was walking around with dynamite.