stock refinishing question: is laquer thinner interchangeable with mineral spirits?

[1KPerDay]

I didn't want to bump an old thread, but I finally worked up the gumption to try this stock finishing technique:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=331736

and was wondering if mineral spirits are interchangeable with laquer thinner for this purpose.

ScottsGT starts wet sanding with a 50/50 mix of BLO and mineral spirits, etc.

I was buying supplies for this project from memory and bought laquer thinner instead of mineral spirits. Think it'll work the same?

thanks

 

[Monkeyleg]

No. Lacquer thinner is a much more aggressive solvent. It can remove all sorts of things, make some plastics soft, and damage many types of finishes.

 

[thisisoriginal]

Thinner is fine. Mineral spirits is slightly less harsh. I use thinner for most things, including cleaning freshly stained wood after a slight sand.

 

[Ed from Maine]

NO!

Lacquer thinner is no where near mineral spirits, plus it is really hard on your lungs and nervous system, I would go get some mineral spirits and stay away from the lacquer thinner .

 

[sniper5]

Besides often dissolving things you may not want to, lacquer thinner is VERY flammable, and toxic to lungs, liver, and nervous system. IF you need to use it, you need a proper cartridge mask that will filter it out and good ventilation with no ignition sources in the area. If you are spraying lacquer finishes keep in mind that besides the above you are aerosolizing gunpowder (nitrocellulose) and it's not just flammable it's explosive. Like KABOOM explosive. Think silo explosion on steroids.

 

[rogertc1]

I heard Lacquer thinner is ban in California.

 

[Olympus]

Use the lacquer thinner on the wood. Works a lot faster. Take all of the metal components out and keep them seperate. I use lacquer thinner all the time to remove old finishes from wood. It will also clean all the gunk. Use common sense and don't stand with your nose over the can or shut yourself in a small room with fumes. You'll be fine.

 

[1KPerDay]

Thanks guys. I think I'll use the laquer thinner to remove the old finish on some crappy stocks I was planning on refinishing, and get some mineral spirits to try the method outlined above.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I was a paint/sprayman for Revere Copper and Brass from Febuary 2,1972 until Febuary 1,1974. I sprayed enamel as well as lacquer paint coating. We called the lacquer thinner "reducer". I never had a problem with vapors/fumes but clean up was a bear. I was supplied with "rubber" gloves but the reducer caused them to balloon to the point that they would not stay on my hands. Consequently,I cleaned my spray guns and sprayers bare handed. Prolonged exposure to bare skin caused my fingers to swell and the skin to burst open. I'm sure protective gloves of today are better but I suggest keeping exposure to a minimum.

 

[Olympus]

You probably don't want to submerge your hands in the stuff or completely saturate them with the thinner. But as the OP's intended use, I'd dip the corner of an old rag in the stuff and start wiping it on the stock. Let it sit for a minute, then dip the rag and wipe a little hard. When using that method, I've never worn gloves or had any problems. It may tend to dry your fingers out a little, but wash your hands afterward.

Different uses will require different methods of protection. If the OP was spraying it through a sprayer, then I'd for sure wear a respirator or other good quality mask. And if he plans on soaking parts, etc then I'd wear gloves.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

then I'd wear gloves.

Good idea just select the gloves well. Lacquer thinner will destroy many types of gloves.

It may tend to dry your fingers out a little,

understatement for sure. The key is to LIMIT exposure to the least amount possible.

 

[1KPerDay]

I definitely wasn't planning on using it without gloves. The skin absorbs all sorts of nasty stuff... plus I like to keep my lovely hands baby-bottom soft.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

As with ANY harsh chemical,wear wrap-around eye goggles(not just "safety glasses"). That is some nasty stuff if it gets into your eyes.

 

[1KPerDay]

Another good tip. thanks

 

[MrOldLude]

For non-prolonged contact, a nitrile glove should be sufficient. (using the rag method) If you were dipping/soaking/splashing in the crap, you'd need somehting higher-end.

 

[jkingrph]

Lacquer thinner is basically a mixture of ketones, one of which is methyl ketone. It is a strong harsh solvent and is excellent for stripping many types of old finishes, and by that I mean old finishes which are completely hardened. That is finishes which mineral spirits will not touch or dissolve. Lacquer thinner will soften and dissolve old finishes such as enamels, varnishes ( I do not know about some of the newer water based polyurethanes ) and oil finishes such as linseed or tung oil types.

I was having trouble for a minute thinking of the type finish lacquer thinner is used in and it just came to me. It dissolves some of the types of nitrocelluloses used in paints and the clear lacquer finishes, as well as some of the older types olf "dope" finishes that were used on fabric skinned aircraft.

 

[rattletrap1970]

I think people make the mistake because of the name. Paint thinner (which IS mineral spirits) and Lacquer Thinner (which is the much stronger solvent generally used in the autobody industry). But one thinner isn't interchangeable with the other.

 

[1KPerDay]

Yep, that's the mistake I made.

 

[rattletrap1970]

Not to say, depending on the finish AND whether or not you WANT to remove it right to the wood; Lacquer Thinner works great. Just make sure you are in a well ventilated place with proper safety equipment.