Paint Thinners & Removers

Paint Thinners and Removers

Paint thinners and removers are the chemistry that prepares surfaces for painting and removes existing paint when refinishing or repair is needed. The right product depends on what's being thinned (the paint type) and what's being removed (the existing coating type) — a thinner that works for an alkyd enamel won't necessarily suit a two-pack epoxy. AIMS Industrial stocks paint thinners and removers across the chemistry types Australian workshops actually use.

The product categories

• Mineral turpentine and mineral spirits — for thinning and cleanup of oil-based paints and enamels
• Acetone and lacquer thinners — for lacquer-based and nitrocellulose paints, fast-evaporating
• Methylated spirits — for shellac and certain water-based applications
• Two-pack thinners — purpose-formulated for epoxy and polyurethane coating systems
• Paint strippers — chemical paint removal products in gel and liquid forms
• Solvent cleaners — for surface preparation before painting

Brands stocked at AIMS

Septone is the core Australian-made brand for cleaning and stripping chemistry, with broad coverage of thinners, strippers, and surface preparation products. CRC stocks complementary products in the workshop chemical range. Solvol covers heavy-duty industrial cleaning and degreasing chemistry that often crosses over into paint preparation work.

Choosing the right thinner

Match thinner to paint type. Oil-based and alkyd enamels thin with mineral turpentine. Acrylic lacquer needs lacquer thinner. Two-pack epoxy and polyurethane need their own purpose-formulated thinners (often supplied by the paint manufacturer, sometimes interchangeable with industrial-spec equivalents). Water-based paints generally use water as the thinner — not solvent products. Substituting wrong thinner is the most common cause of finish defects: lifting, crawling, or poor flow.

Paint stripping practice

Chemical paint strippers work by softening the existing paint film so it can be scraped or washed off. They're aggressive chemistry — most contain solvents, caustic agents, or methylene chloride (where still permitted). Apply with a brush, leave for the manufacturer-specified dwell time, then scrape and wash. Multiple coats of thick paint may need multiple stripper applications. Always wear chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, and respirator-grade breathing protection; ventilate the work area.

Storage and disposal

Solvent-based thinners and strippers are flammable and require appropriate storage — sealed metal cabinets, away from ignition sources, in ventilated areas. Used solvents and stripper waste are regulated waste in most Australian jurisdictions and should not go to general landfill. Most workshops contract a chemical waste collection service for these residues.

Safety

Paint thinners and removers are workplace chemicals that demand respect. Always read the safety data sheet (SDS) before first use of a new product, wear the PPE the SDS specifies, work in ventilated conditions, and don't mix products unless the manufacturer specifies compatibility. The cost of getting safety wrong with these chemicals is significant.

Need help matching a thinner or stripper to a specific paint or coating? contact our team — we'll work through the product type and conditions.