What is white spirit?

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

I ran across the term, white spirit, in a model magazine. I read the posts here with the tag white spirit, but could never find out just what is white spirit. I’m guessing it’s related to mineral spirits. If so, why not use mineral spirits?

2

Welcome to the forums.

To get you started on the right foot, here’s some advice.

I have always used turpenoid as a carrier with oil based paints.

!http://th792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/bloody_bagheera/Smileys/th_duma.gifI finally gave white spirits a try a few years back.

To make a long story short, it was a mistake.

I never make the same mistake twice!http://th792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/bloody_bagheera/Smileys/th_fool.gif

I’ve been building 55 years.

!http://th792.photobucket.com/albums/yy205/bloody_bagheera/Smileys/th_sneaking-smiley.gifIt’s your choice.

!http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSS6gRovrPjEl6Qrkgmy7tDcIs2y1y_9rHXg7pwRCicVE_XCoiEI-k_The blue can… "NOT" the green can.

!http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b232/gluetank/Animated/th_1-Animated-Disastermaster.gif?t=1296616998

3

White spirits and mineral spirits are the same thing. They are a thinner for oil and enamel paints. It is far less expensive than Turpenoid and works just as well, if not a little better. When using Turpenoid to dilute artist oils it takes much longer to dry and leaves a kind of oily residue it seems. I have learned that using white spirit over MIcroscale’s flat base will cause some problems, but after switching to Model Master flat I’ve had no problems.

4

In every instance I’ve used white spirits !http://th1136.photobucket.com/albums/n485/narniafan98/Smileys%20and%20Emoticons/th_smiley-vault-misc-036.gifthey have caused the structural integrity of the plastic to break down…

Wheel mounts break, small parts go brittle and crumble. I’ve even had the front upper hull of a Jagdpanther develop a hairline crack.

!http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b232/gluetank/Animated/th_1-Animated-Disastermaster.gif?t=1296616998

5

Thanks to all for your help on white spirits. Would something like Testors enamel thinner be any better?

I used Model Masters enamel thinner once when I applied enamel earth-tone weathering over acrylic base and camouflage and it seemed to work fine. I have to order all my stuff online and I got these ridiculously tiny bottles of thinner. Next time I’ll buy a larger can. I understand that it is good to apply enamel weathering over acrylic paint, but I’ve usually apply acrylic over acrylic with no problems - so far.