La Manzanilla.info Message Board Archives

Oil paint solvent

Posted by Rhema on October 11, 2014, 10:47 pm

Hi Folks, I'm getting ready to head to LM for the season and I'm wondering if anyone knows if there are any solvents that aren't too toxic available in LM or Melaque for use with artists' oil paints. I understand that artists' oil paints are okay to travel with but not the solvent for thinning paint and cleaning brushes. Any suggestions? Thanks and see you soon!
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Re: Oil paint solvent

Posted by Tom Gillespie on October 12, 2014, 9:50 am, in reply to "Oil paint solvent"
70.199.136.63

Hi Rhema,

Good idea to bring your oil paints to LaManz. I had mine there a few years ago and brought all the things I needed with me because I didn't use solvents. They are toxic and stink and you don't need them. I used walnut oil which I brought with me in my luggage.

Check this technique out on the internet "Oil painting without solvents" Walnut oil has been used for centuries as a preferred medium over linseed oil. It will also clean paint from your brushes, after which you use soap to remove the oil. To save walnut oil I used vegetable oil to clean my pallet and brushes then soap.

Artist quality walnut oil is sold on-line or at art stores in the US and Canada. An art store can probably fill you in on the details of it's use.

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Re: Oil paint solvent

Posted by Rhema on October 12, 2014, 12:01 pm, in reply to "Re: Oil paint solvent"
173.183.45.74

Thank you Tom, you've given me some very useful info.!!

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Re: Oil paint solvent

Posted by Dave Sullins on October 12, 2014, 11:43 pm, in reply to "Re: Oil paint solvent"
67.142.179.23

Rhema, a better solution still is to use the new technology - water mixable oil paints. You can order them online from Art Supply Warehouse, Dick Blick, etc. I have been using the Lukas - Berliner line from the Art Supply Warehouse and big studio tubes are about $10 US each and absolutley love them. The paint is real nice and lasting as well and cleans up with water. You use a little water as your medium - therefore no solvents at all - ever! If you want a little more shine to the finished painting, give it a spray varnish after it has thoroughly dried. Happy painting!!!!!
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Re: Oil paint solvent

Posted by Carol Lopez on October 12, 2014, 12:19 pm, in reply to "Re: Oil paint solvent"
24.84.164.209

I use oil, too, and then soap, to clean brushes for awhile. After some
time, I need to refresh them with solvent, and use Odorless Mineral Spirits,
or Odorless/Low Odour Paint Thinner. Here in Canada, it's available
at Home Depot, etc., in gallon containers, but I was never able to find it at the paint stores in Melaque.

The "Thinner" they sell has a strong smell, which reflects its toxicity.
Does anyone know if Home Depot in Mexico carries Odorless Paint Thinner?

You can get Efren to bring some artist quality OMS from his art supply store
(good for thinning your paint); however, it is quite expensive if you
use it regularly in a larger quantity,for actually cleaning brushes.

In any case, any thinner can be extended and reused for awhile. Let the
paint settle, then pour off the top liquid. Then, let the sludge dry in a can and dispose of it in some dry place
(probably more ecologically sound than rinsing it down some drain for the fish to deal with!)
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Re: Oil paint solvent

Posted by Mary Jo on October 12, 2014, 11:45 pm, in reply to "Re: Oil paint solvent"
187.146.132.29

Hi Rhema I use regular, good old corn oil, available in any store. You don't have to bring it down. There is an art store in both Manzanillo and Colima. You could find odorless solvent there. It is really amazing how corn oil does the job! Good luck
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Re: Oil paint solvent

Posted by rhema on October 13, 2014, 7:47 pm, in reply to "Re: Oil paint solvent"
173.183.45.74

Thank you everyone for your helpful feedback!
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