How to Re-Use Your Mineral Spirits

[@BK-ix8ec]

Thank You. I was trying to learn what the most environmentally concious way to use and dispose the mineral spirits was.

[@ScottRuthvenFineArt]

You’re welcome!

[@crazyfool710]

Great info! I was having a hard time figuring out what to do with used mineral spirits.

[@ScottRuthvenFineArt]

Glad to hear it!

[@MsEstrella07]

Thank you so much fo these tips! It saves so much money!

[@ScottRuthvenFineArt]

You are welcome! Glad I could be of help. Thanks for your comment!

[@kallierichter1324]

This video was extremely helpful. Thank you so much!

[@ScottRuthvenFineArt]

Glad to hear it. Thanks, Kallie!

[@keithbond9423]

Hey Scott. Glad to see you here. I miss the noco gang and our paint outs. I just stumbled upon this video. Great job.

[@ScottRuthvenFineArt]

Good to hear from you, Keith! We miss you too!

[@wayward-saint]

Can the old, settled pigment also be reused somehow?

[@molovesmusic567]

ive been trying to do this but ive used glass kombucha bottles and it seems to be taking a LONG time for everything to settle at the bottom. some sediment is still floating about. maybe i''ll try an old plastic jar!

[@ScottRuthvenFineArt]

Hi Momo. The container type shouldn’t matter, except I prefer plastic so it won’t break if I bump it off the counter. Most of the sediment should settle to the bottom in 3-5 days. Good luck!

[@lauriestover8412]

I let my dirty mineral spirits sit for couple weeks, it did separate fine, but when I poured it back into my painting can, all the sediment poured out with it! How come mine didn't stay at the bottom? It just redistributed itself.

[@ScottRuthvenFineArt]

Hi Laurie, pour slowly and only until sediment starts to flow out too. You should be able to pour out about 80% before the sediment starts flowing. Hope that helps.

[@SFoureman]

"Apparently, this is my signature color." 🤣🤣🤣

[@ScottRuthvenFineArt]

Hehe

[@shirleyempeigne7695]

Hi Scott, thanks for the tip. Can I use the Mineral Spirit to dilute silicone? Thanks

[@ScottRuthvenFineArt]

Sorry, Shirley but I don’t know the answer to that. I have never had the need to do that. Your local hardware store should know.

[@LegacyofElric]

My mineral spirits isnt settling clear, ive been waiting a while for it to...what do i do?

[@ScottRuthvenFineArt]

Sometimes the sediment will settle, but the mineral spirits is stained a bit. That usually happens to me when I use strong, staining colors like the phthalo blue or phthalo green. If this is the case, and the sediment has settled out, then it should still be fine to reuse the mineral spirits.

[@Haleymrn]

Thanks! What if the dirty chunks get full in that container? Is there other way to dispose it instead of sending it to a hazardous waste collector? I could not google any collector in our place.

[@ScottRuthvenFineArt]

Good question, Haley. I recommend you contact your local government office (city/county/township) or the company that picks up your trash. They should be able to help. In my town, the landfill has a place to drop off hazardous materials like paint for safe disposal.

[@Haleymrn]

@@ScottRuthvenFineArt thanks!

[@Haleymrn]

@@ScottRuthvenFineArt i got another question, is it okay to use mason jars to store mineral spirits?

[@ScottRuthvenFineArt]

@@Haleymrn Absolutely.

[@AVspectre]

In my city hazardous liquids can be dropped off at the local firehall.

[@cw6136]

I wonder if this could be cleaned using distillation (outside, using an electric heater-- of course).

[@ScottRuthvenFineArt]

Good question! I’m not sure.

[@user-pp3yi5tv7l]

Yes this should work with no problem. But I wouldn't advise to use glass as your distillation flask, you'll never get this clean. Use a disposable metal can or something like this

[@cw6136]

@@user-pp3yi5tv7l Thanks!

[@shyrebel8813]

Can u use white spirit as a medium to mix and apply paints.

[@ScottRuthvenFineArt]

I don't have experience using white spirit myself but generally, solvents should only be used to clean painting tools. Using solvents as a painting medium will break down and degrade the binder in oil paint (usually linseed oil) resulting in a weaker paint layer. Of course we all dip into mineral spirits somewhat to increase the flow of the paint, but don't rely on it as a medium. Instead, I use a painting medium like, Galkyd, Galkyd lite or Neo Magilp (all Gamblin products) in moderation to increase the flow and gloss of the oil paint. These also reduce the dry time. If you don't want the paint to dry so quickly, you can make a simple mix of stand oil, linseed oil and a little mineral spirts (ratios depend on how thick you want the medium to be. - Scott

[@felsal20]

I’ve read many warnings against plastic containers for MS storage.

[@ScottRuthvenFineArt]

There are many types of plastics, some of which the mineral spirits might break down. I use old peanut butter containers and they have lasted for years with no issues.

[@paperwork1125]

That gray paint in the settling tank, is that still usable paint?

[@ScottRuthvenFineArt]

Yep, it's the pigment. Just mix it back into a medium (as a binder) and you have a gray to paint with, if you wish.

[@jtbmetaldesigns]

Oh yes. And grey is surprisingly useful. It can be used for different shadowing effects. Also, for abstract and minimalist works makes a great background color with bright colors such as white, orange, or lime green. And since this grey comes from a mix of other colors, it can be “toned” with other pigments. Example, add appropriate violet to get a violet biases grey for mountains in the distance etc etc.

[@keithbond9423]

Previous responses are correct but i just wanted to clarify what is implied in those responses. As is, no you cannot use it. Because all of the oil (binder) has been removed. It's just pigment. But if you add oil back into it then yes you can use it. Use a glass muller to grind and mix the pigment into the oil.

[@TheBeardedSandman]

This doesn't work when you mostly use polyurethane and wood stain... once the mineral spirit is dirty, it's dirty.

[@ScottRuthvenFineArt]

Good to know! Thanks.