DIY Lacquer Thinner
The term "lacquer thinner" refers to a broad class of strong solvents whose primary purpose is to dissolve the solids in lacquer and shellac. Among the chemicals you might find in lacquer thinner are toluol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, butyl and amyl acetate, and alcohol. Because it is a strong solvent, lacquer thinner will dissolve wood and metal paints with the exception of those that cure, like urethane and epoxy resin. Making lacquer thinner involves a knowledge of chemistry that most people don't have, but there are several uses for it around the house other than thinning lacquer.
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Things You'll Need
- Rags
- Paint scraper
- Small paintbrush
- Jar
- Wire brush
- Paint pigment
- Spray gun
Instructions
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Remove paint spots from floors, walls or furniture by moistening a rag with lacquer thinner and dabbing the spot lightly and repeatedly. As the paint softens, you can wipe it off with a clean rag or scrape it off with a paint scraper. This technique is especially effective for removing lacquer, dye, marker spots, nail polish or alkyd paint. Although lacquer thinner will work with latex paint, it isn't as effective. It won't remove cured polyurethane or epoxy at all.
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Touch up a chipped or cracked lacquer or shellac finish by carefully moistening the damaged area with lacquer thinner. Dab it on with a small paintbrush and let it evaporate. It will liquify the finish, which should flow together to mend the crack.
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Clean up grease, tar, contact cement and other hard-to-remove contaminants by moistening a rag with lacquer thinner and washing it off. Lacquer thinner won't harm most household surfaces, except those with a lacquer or shellac finish, as long as you don't let it soak in.
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Soften a paintbrush hardened with old paint by immersing it in a jar filled with lacquer thinner and leaving it overnight. Scrape the paintbrush with a wire brush in the morning, then wash it with hot water and soap. Lacquer thinner is also useful for cleaning spray equipment and paint rollers.
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Clean off oil and grime from nuts, bolts and other surfaces with lacquer thinner when you are doing automobile repair. It's also an effective hand cleaner.
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Thin oil-based paints with lacquer thinner if you want them to dry faster. Lacquer thinner is compatible with the solvents in oil-based paints but is more volatile and evaporates more quickly.
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Dissolve paint pigment in lacquer thinner to make your own wood stain. Spray the mixture onto the wood, then finish the wood with a clear finish. Unlike conventional stains, lacquer thinner won't seal the grain, but it won't raise it either. It will simply evaporate, leaving behind the pigment that you can coat with an oil- or water-based finish.
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Tips & Warnings
Lacquer thinner is a more versatile solvent than paint thinner and is a useful addition to your utility closet. It has a strong odor and evaporates quickly, so keep the container closed and discard rags that have been saturated with it.
Lacquer thinner is extremely flammable. Keep it away from open flames and don't smoke while you use it.
The fumes from lacquer thinner are dangerous. Wear a respirator while you use it.
References
- Photo Credit Karl Weatherly/Photodisc/Getty Images
