Buy Paint Thinners & Removers Online in Australia
Paint Thinner + Remover Selection — Quick Reference
Paint thinner + remover selection lives on TWO axes: what coating you're THINNING (matches paint chemistry) and what you're REMOVING (matches existing coating). A thinner for alkyd enamel won't work on 2-pack epoxy — wrong solvent damages the substrate or fails to act.
| Product Type | Best For | Avoid On |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral Turpentine / Mineral Spirits | Thinning alkyd enamel + oil-based paint, brush cleaning | 2-pack epoxy + polyurethane (won't work) |
| White Spirit (Aliphatic) | Light cleaning + brush rinse + light oil-based thinning | Aggressive solvent jobs |
| Acetone | Thinning + cleaning lacquer + epoxy + 2-pack adhesives | Painted surfaces (strips paint) |
| Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) | Heavy-duty solvent — adhesive cleanup, vinyl + epoxy + 2-pack | Soft plastics + painted surfaces |
| Xylene / Toluene | 2-pack epoxy + urethane + industrial coating thinning | Standard alkyd (too aggressive — wrong solvent) |
| Paint Remover / Stripper (Gel) | Removing existing paint from steel, masonry — methylene chloride or NaOH-based | Aluminium (NaOH strippers etch Al) |
| Citrus / Bio-Based Remover | EPA-friendly paint stripping — slower but safer | Heavy-duty production stripping (too slow) |
| 2-Pack Epoxy Thinner (Manufacturer-Spec) | Thinning 2-pack epoxy + polyurethane systems | NEVER use generic thinner on 2-pack (ruins chemistry) |
Critical: For 2-pack epoxy + polyurethane systems, ALWAYS use the manufacturer-specified thinner — wrong solvent disrupts cure chemistry + ruins the system. For paint removal, gel-style strippers minimise drip + maximise dwell time. Ventilation + PPE mandatory for all solvent work (cartridge respirator for VOC + gloves + eye protection). Companion: canned paint, specialty paint & coatings, cleaning chemicals, respirators.
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.
People Also Ask — Paint Thinners and Paint Removers
Q: What paint thinners and removers does AIMS stock?
Mineral turpentine (for cleaning brushes used with oil-based paints), paint thinners (for thinning oil-based and enamel paints to spray consistency), methylated spirits (for shellac and water-based paints), specialty paint thinners (urethane and epoxy thinners), and paint removers/strippers (chemical removers for stripping old paint). For workshop daily use: mineral turpentine and paint thinners are workshop standards. Match thinner to paint type — wrong thinner doesn't work or damages paint.
Q: Mineral turpentine or paint thinner?
Mineral turpentine (mineral spirits): primarily used for cleaning brushes and equipment after using oil-based paints. Can thin paint but slower drying. Cost-effective. Paint thinner: specifically formulated for thinning paints to spray consistency — different chemistry, faster drying, may include additives for sprayability. For brush cleaning: mineral turpentine. For thinning oil-based paint to spray: paint thinner. Match product to operation.
Q: How do I strip old paint?
Chemical stripper: apply with brush, allow dwell time (15-30 minutes), scrape softened paint with scraper, wipe with rag. Most effective for thick paint layers and difficult surfaces. Heat gun: melts paint for scraping, fast for large areas, careful of fire risk and paint fumes. Sanding: mechanical removal, suits smaller areas and final preparation. For workshop daily use, chemical stripper for thick paint + sanding for final prep. Don't burn paint off — releases toxic fumes (especially old lead paint).
Q: Is paint stripper safe?
Solvent-based paint strippers contain methylene chloride or NMP solvents — toxic, restricted in some jurisdictions. New formulations use safer chemistry (citrus terpenes, benzyl alcohol). For workshop use: provide ventilation, wear chemical-resistant gloves and safety glasses + respirator with organic vapour cartridges. Don't strip paint indoors without ventilation. For sustained paint work: dedicated paint preparation area with extraction recommended. For lead paint (pre-1970 buildings): specialist abatement contractors only — not workshop DIY.
Q: How do I dispose of used solvent?
Used paint thinner and solvent: industrial waste, cannot be poured down drains or into general waste. Options: (1) commercial solvent recycling service, (2) on-site distillation for high-volume users, (3) licensed hazardous waste contractor. Some areas accept solvent waste through council household chemical collection. Don't burn or pour to ground — environmental compliance issues + fire hazards. Store used solvent in metal containers (sealed) for collection.