White spirit

White spirit is a petroleum-derived mixture of volatile hydrocarbons used mainly as a paint thinner, degreaser, and cleaning solvent. Its composition varies by grade and refining process.

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Oil painting: A painting technique that uses pigments bound in drying oils such as linseed oil. White spirit thins oil paint and cleans brushes, though it does not bind pigment.
Hydrocarbon solvent: A solvent composed mainly of carbon and hydrogen compounds. White spirit is a mixture within this broader solvent family.
Turpentine: A solvent distilled from resin of coniferous trees, composed largely of terpenes. It serves similar painting uses but comes from plant resin rather than petroleum.
Volatile organic compound: An organic compound that readily enters the gas phase under ordinary conditions. White spirit releases volatile hydrocarbons into indoor and outdoor air.
Degreasing: The removal of grease, oil, and other hydrophobic contaminants from a surface. White spirit dissolves oily residues from tools and surfaces before they are reused or finished.
Solubility: The ability of a substance to dissolve in a specified solvent under stated conditions. White spirit dissolves many oils and resins but mixes poorly with water.
Acetone: A colorless, volatile ketone used as a solvent and chemical feedstock. It evaporates faster and dissolves a different range of materials than white spirit.
Occupational exposure limit: A regulatory or advisory concentration limit for a hazardous substance in workplace air. Workplace limits guide controls for inhaling white-spirit vapors during repeated use.
Paint thinner: A volatile liquid added to paint to reduce viscosity or clean painting equipment. White spirit is one common solvent sold and used as paint thinner.
Evaporation: The change from liquid to gas at a substance's surface. Its evaporation rate determines drying time and how long solvent vapors remain in air.