Many people assume all paint thinners are the same, but using the wrong type can cause issues with how your paint performs and looks once applied. Standard thinners and gun wash are common around the workshop, yet they are designed mainly for cleaning rather than thinning paint.
At Black Country Paints, we manufacture and test our own range of industrial paints, coatings and thinners to make sure they work together seamlessly. In this article, we explain why you should avoid thinning paint with standard thinner or gun wash and how using the right compatible thinner will give you the best finish every time.
What are Standard Thinners?
A product labelled as a standard thinner is usually a solvent for cleaning paint equipment. Standard thinners are made with recycled solvents. Because they are recycled, the exact formulation can vary between batches, making their performance unpredictable. This is also why standard thinners are cheaper than paint-compatible thinners.
Is Gun Wash the Same as Standard Thinners?
Gun wash and standard thinner are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same. Gun wash is a strong solvent compared to Standard Thinners, both are used to clean paint equipment, such as spray guns and brushes, after use and can break down dried or partially cured paint.
Can I use Gun Wash to Thin Paint?
Gun wash is strongly not recommended for thinning paint. It’s an aggressive solvent designed for cleaning equipment, not paint mixing. While some people use it in primers, gun wash can contain water and contaminants that cause drying and adhesion issues—especially in colder months. For reliable results, always use the correct, manufacturer-approved thinners.
Why You Shouldn’t Thin Paint with Standard Thinners?
You should avoid thinning paint with standard thinners, as they are made up of a mixture of recycled or reclaimed solvents. Their composition can vary between batches, making them unreliable for consistent paint application. That’s why standard thinner is often cheaper than the thinners made to match specific paints. We only recommend using standard thinners for cleaning down application tools and spray equipment rather than thinning down paint.
What issues can using standard thinners to thin paint cause?
Using standard thinners to thin paint can lead to several issues that affect how the paint performs and looks once applied. These problems can appear during application or after the paint has dried.
Adhesion Issues – The paint may not dry properly, leading to peeling or delamination.
Drying Problems – Different paints have different drying times, meaning the solvents will evaporate at different speeds. Standard thinners can affect the drying time of the paints.
Overcoating Issues – Applying multiple layers over paint thinned with the wrong solvent can cause the paint to attack itself, leading to blistering or loss of adhesion.
Changes to the Finish – In some cases this may affect the final finish, resulting in changes to the gloss level, texture or clarity of the paint.
Paint technology varies between brands and types. Factors, such as hardeners, base coats and colours, all have different properties that affect how the paint performs. For the best results, always use the compatible thinner recommended by the paint manufacturer. These thinners will have been formulated and tested for compatibility with the paint, helping it apply smoothly and achieve the right finish.
Buy Compatible Paint Thinners at Black Country Paints
At Black Country Paints, we’ve spent decades developing and testing industrial coatings, primers, and thinners to deliver reliable performance for every application. We manufacture a wide range of paints, thinners, primers and equipment with fast nationwide delivery and experienced customer support.
Our thinners are carefully formulated and tested in house to match our full paint range, giving consistent drying times, adhesion and finish. Contact us today to speak with one of our paint specialists or request a quote for your next order.
To learn more about how paint is made and the role solvents play in its formulation, read our full guide.
