You’re standing in your studio, brush poised above canvas, when you realize your paint’s too thick. You’ve got seconds to make it flow right. That’s where you’ll want the right turpentine—the kind that separates amateurs from professionals. We’re breaking down seven options that’ll transform your technique. Uncover which one matches your needs.
Quick Overview
- Winsor & Newton Distilled Turpentine offers professional-grade quality with quick evaporation, ideal for smooth brushwork and varnish removal.
- TERLANS Oil Paint Thinner provides odorless performance with less than 2% aromatic content and complete non-toxic evaporation.
- Weber Odorless Turpenoid delivers identical painting properties and drying times as traditional turpentine while minimizing health concerns.
- Mountain Pine Pure Gum Spirits Turpentine ensures 100% purity extracted from slash pine with no harmful impurities or sulfates.
- Matching solvents to specific paint formulations prevents compromised results and ensures professional outcomes across different oil and alkyd paints.
| Winsor & Newton Distilled Turpentine 250ml (8.4-oz) Bottle |
| Professional Grade | Product Type: Distilled turpentine solvent | Primary Use: Thinning, brush cleaning, varnish removal | Odor Level: Strong odor (traditional turpentine) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| TERLANS Oil Paint Thinner Odorless Turpentine Substitute |
| Best For Sensitive Noses | Product Type: Odorless turpentine substitute | Primary Use: Thinning oil paints, brush cleaning | Odor Level: Completely odorless | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Winsor & Newton Distilled Turpentine 75ml (2.5-oz) Bottle |
| Compact Travel Size | Product Type: Distilled turpentine solvent | Primary Use: Thinning, brush cleaning, varnish removal | Odor Level: Strong odor (traditional turpentine) | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| TERLANS Oil Paint Thinner 250ml Odorless |
| Best Value Odorless | Product Type: Odorless turpentine substitute | Primary Use: Thinning oil paints, brush cleaning, degreasing | Odor Level: Completely odorless | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Weber Odorless Turpenoid 118ml Bottle 1 Each (1681) |
| Most Popular Substitute | Product Type: Odorless turpentine substitute | Primary Use: Painting vehicle, thinning | Odor Level: Odorless | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Mountain Pine Pure Gum Spirits Turpentine 8oz |
| Pure Natural Choice | Product Type: Pure gum spirits turpentine | Primary Use: General turpentine applications | Odor Level: Subtle pine scent | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Martin/ F. Weber 1683 Weber 16-Ounce Odorless Turpenoid Clear |
| Best Overall Odorless | Product Type: Odorless turpentine substitute | Primary Use: Painting vehicle, thinning | Odor Level: Odorless | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Winsor & Newton Distilled Turpentine 250ml (8.4-oz) Bottle
If you’re an oil painter who demands the strongest thinning and brush cleaning power available, Winsor & Newton’s Distilled Turpentine is your ideal choice. This highly refined essential oil evaporates quickly, making it perfect for thinning paints and achieving smooth brushwork. You’ll appreciate its effectiveness at removing varnishes, including dammar varnish, which sets it apart from standard solvents. The 250ml bottle offers professional-grade quality that’s earned 4.5 stars from over 2,000 reviewers. Store it tightly closed away from light to prevent oxidation and thickening. With its proven performance and reliability, this solvent belongs in every serious oil painter’s studio.
- Product Type:Distilled turpentine solvent
- Primary Use:Thinning, brush cleaning, varnish removal
- Odor Level:Strong odor (traditional turpentine)
- Size/Volume:250ml (8.4 oz)
- Oil Paint Compatibility:Compatible with oil paints
- Safety/Toxicity:Flammable, harmful if swallowed
- Additional Feature:Varnish removal capability
- Additional Feature:Fast evaporation rate
- Additional Feature:Strongest artist-grade solvent
TERLANS Oil Paint Thinner Odorless Turpentine Substitute
TERLANS Oil Paint Thinner is your ideal choice when you’re sensitive to strong chemical odors. With less than 2% aromatic content, you’ll barely notice any smell—odor only becomes detectable when you bring the cap close to your nose. This independently tested formula passes rigorous Canadian safety regulations, ensuring you’re working with a reliable product. You’ll appreciate its complete 100% evaporation rate and non-toxic composition. Use it for thinning oil paints, cleaning brushes, and dissolving natural or synthetic oils. The 106.5°C flash point provides safety during application. However, skip this for acrylic paints or paint stripping—it’s specifically formulated for oil painting work.
- Product Type:Odorless turpentine substitute
- Primary Use:Thinning oil paints, brush cleaning
- Odor Level:Completely odorless
- Size/Volume:100ml (3.38 oz)
- Oil Paint Compatibility:Compatible with oil paints
- Safety/Toxicity:Non-toxic, high flash point (106.5°C)
- Additional Feature:ISO 17025 accredited testing
- Additional Feature:Flash point 106.5°C
- Additional Feature:Degreaser multi-purpose use
Winsor & Newton Distilled Turpentine 75ml (2.5-oz) Bottle
Winsor & Newton Distilled Turpentine stands out as the ideal choice for artists who demand professional-grade solvents with maximum thinning and brush-cleaning power. This highly refined essential oil evaporates quickly, making it the strongest option among artists’ grade solvents. You’ll appreciate its dual functionality—it effectively thins your oil paints while cleaning brushes thoroughly between applications. The 75ml bottle offers convenient portability for studio or plein air work. Store it tightly closed away from light, as it’s flammable. While its effectiveness is unmatched, you should handle it carefully since it’s harmful if swallowed. It’s also suitable for varnish removal, giving you versatility beyond basic paint thinning.
- Product Type:Distilled turpentine solvent
- Primary Use:Thinning, brush cleaning, varnish removal
- Odor Level:Strong odor (traditional turpentine)
- Size/Volume:75ml (2.5 oz)
- Oil Paint Compatibility:Compatible with oil paints
- Safety/Toxicity:Flammable, fatal if swallowed
- Additional Feature:Portable travel-size option
- Additional Feature:Highly refined essential oil
- Additional Feature:Varnish removal capability
TERLANS Oil Paint Thinner 250ml Odorless
For artists who work in enclosed studios or can’t tolerate strong chemical odors, you’ll find an ideal solution in this odorless oil paint thinner. TERLANS contains less than 2% aromatic content, making it virtually undetectable except when you’re right at the cap. It’s independently tested and certified to meet Canadian safety regulations, ensuring you’re using a genuinely safe product. You’ll appreciate its versatility—it thins oil paints flawlessly, cleans brushes effectively, and dissolves natural and synthetic oils. With a high flash point of 106.5°C, it offers safer handling and storage than traditional low-flash solvents.
- Product Type:Odorless turpentine substitute
- Primary Use:Thinning oil paints, brush cleaning, degreasing
- Odor Level:Completely odorless
- Size/Volume:250ml
- Oil Paint Compatibility:Compatible with oil paints
- Safety/Toxicity:Non-toxic, high flash point (106.5°C)
- Additional Feature:100% evaporation rate
- Additional Feature:Flash point 106.5°C
- Additional Feature:Multi-surface degreaser capability
Weber Odorless Turpenoid 118ml Bottle 1 Each (1681)
Artists who’re sensitive to strong chemical odors or work in poorly ventilated spaces will find Weber Odorless Turpenoid an ideal alternative to traditional turpentine. You’ll appreciate that this product delivers the same painting properties and drying time as conventional turpentine without the overwhelming smell. The 118ml bottle provides a convenient size for regular use. You can use it solo as a painting vehicle or blend it into mediums without compromising color integrity. Made in the USA, Weber Odorless Turpenoid works seamlessly with oil and alkyd paints. Its thin, volatile formula makes it a trusted choice among professional artists seeking effective thinning without sacrificing studio comfort.
- Product Type:Odorless turpentine substitute
- Primary Use:Painting vehicle, thinning
- Odor Level:Odorless
- Size/Volume:118ml (4 oz)
- Oil Paint Compatibility:Compatible with oil and alkyd colors
- Safety/Toxicity:Safe for use
- Additional Feature:Same drying time properties
- Additional Feature:#1 artist-recognized brand
- Additional Feature:Made in USA
Mountain Pine Pure Gum Spirits Turpentine 8oz
This 100% pure gum spirits turpentine is your ideal choice if you’re seeking an authentic, natural solvent that won’t compromise your oil paintings with chemical additives. Extracted from slash pine gum and bottled right here in the USA, you’ll appreciate its premium quality and freedom from sulfates and harmful impurities. The subtle, fresh pine scent won’t overwhelm your studio, making extended painting sessions more pleasant. At 8 ounces, you’re getting a substantial supply for your turpentine applications. Mountain Pine’s commitment to sustainability means you’re supporting traditional harvesting processes and hand-packaging methods. When you’re serious about your craft, you’ll value this genuine, naturally-sourced option.
- Product Type:Pure gum spirits turpentine
- Primary Use:General turpentine applications
- Odor Level:Subtle pine scent
- Size/Volume:8 oz
- Oil Paint Compatibility:Compatible with oil paints
- Safety/Toxicity:Pure natural oil, free of harmful impurities
- Additional Feature:100% pure natural turpentine
- Additional Feature:Sustainably harvested pine gum
- Additional Feature:USA extracted and bottled
Martin/ F. Weber 1683 Weber 16-Ounce Odorless Turpenoid Clear
When you’re sensitive to strong chemical odors or you’re working in a space where ventilation’s limited, the Martin/ F. Weber 1683 Odorless Turpenoid offers a practical solution. This turpentine substitute delivers identical painting properties and drying times as traditional turpentine without the overpowering smell. You’ll appreciate its volatile, thin consistency that works seamlessly with oil and alkyd colors. Whether you’re using it solo or blending it into mediums, it won’t compromise your colors. Made in the USA and trusted by professional artists, this 16-ounce bottle provides reliable performance for your painting projects.
- Product Type:Odorless turpentine substitute
- Primary Use:Painting vehicle, thinning
- Odor Level:Odorless
- Size/Volume:16 oz
- Oil Paint Compatibility:Compatible with oil and alkyd colors
- Safety/Toxicity:Safe for use
- Additional Feature:#1 odorless turpentine substitute
- Additional Feature:Same drying time properties
- Additional Feature:Made in USA
Factors to Consider When Choosing Turpentine Oil for Oil Painting
You’ll want to evaluate several critical factors when selecting turpentine oil for your painting practice. Consider your sensitivity to odors and potential health effects, the evaporation rate that suits your working pace, the product’s purity and quality certifications, how well it works with your specific paint types, and its flash point for safe studio handling. Each of these elements directly impacts both your painting experience and the longevity of your finished work.
Odor Sensitivity and Health
Why does turpentine’s pungent odor matter when you’re setting up your painting space? If you’re sensitive to strong smells, traditional turpentine can cause genuine discomfort and health issues. Vapors from standard turpentine may trigger respiratory irritation, headaches, and other adverse effects that compromise your creative sessions.
You’ll find relief in odorless or low-odor alternatives like distilled turpentine or odorless mineral spirits. These substitutes deliver the same solvency without the overwhelming smell, making them ideal for sensitive individuals.
You should also prioritize proper ventilation and personal protective equipment—gloves and respirators—to minimize risks. If you’ve got known sensitivities or health concerns related to painting solvents, consult a healthcare professional. Your well-being matters as much as your art.
Evaporation Rate and Drying
Beyond managing odor and health concerns, you’ll want to ponder how quickly your chosen solvent evaporates—a factor that directly affects your workflow and painting technique. Turpentine oil’s faster evaporation rate compared to alternative solvents enables quicker drying times, allowing you to apply subsequent paint layers more immediately. This rapid evaporation also helps you create specific textural effects and clean brushes without leaving residues.
However, this volatile nature demands attention during extended sessions. You’ll need to replenish your solvent more frequently to maintain consistent paint consistency. The fast-drying properties work best when you’re layering techniques or working on time-sensitive projects. Consider your typical painting duration and style when selecting turpentine—faster evaporation suits dynamic workflows but requires diligent solvent management throughout your session.
Purity and Quality Standards
When selecting turpentine oil for oil painting, purity matters—it’s the foundation of quality performance. You’ll want minimally processed oil free from additives, solvents, and impurities that compromise your work.
Examine the product’s appearance carefully. High-quality turpentine should be transparent without cloudiness or discoloration, and it’ll have that distinctive, consistent pine scent. These characteristics indicate proper refinement.
Don’t overlook certifications and testing data. Reputable manufacturers provide documentation proving their products meet stringent purity and safety standards. This transparency demonstrates their commitment to quality.
Consider the oil’s provenance and age too. These factors directly influence viscosity, evaporation rate, and effectiveness for thinning paints and cleaning brushes. Sourcing from established producers with verifiable credentials guarantees you’re investing in professional-grade turpentine that delivers reliable results.
Compatibility With Paint Types
Not all turpentine products work equally well with every paint formulation. You’ll want to match your solvent to your specific paint type for ideal results.
Traditional turpentine is compatible with oil paints but may alter color and drying time. Odorless substitutes offer compatibility without these drawbacks, making them perfect for most applications. However, if you’re working with water-mixable oils, you’ll need a solvent with specific properties that alternatives provide.
Using incompatible solvents causes uneven drying, poor color blending, and other quality issues. You’re investing time and materials into your work—don’t compromise the outcome with mismatched products.
Consult your paint manufacturer’s recommendations before selecting a turpentine or alternative. They’ll specify which solvents work best with their formulations, ensuring professional results.
Flash Point and Safety
Since flash point directly determines how safely you can work with turpentine oils, it’s one of the most critical factors in your selection process. You’ll want to prioritize oils with flash points above 100°C (212°F), as they’re considerably less prone to ignition and far safer for indoor studio use. Conversely, oils below 30°C (86°F) are highly flammable and demand extreme caution during handling and storage.
Regardless of flash point, you must maintain proper ventilation and keep open flames or sparks away from your workspace. The volatile nature of turpentine oils makes these precautions non-negotiable. Before purchasing, check the product’s safety data sheet, verify the flash point rating, and follow all manufacturer guidelines. This diligence guarantees you’ll minimize hazards while creating your best work.
