Editing Paint thinner (section)

{{Short description|Solvent used to dissolve paint}}
'''Paint thinners''' are [[diluent]]s — [[solvent]]s used to adjust the [[viscosity]] of [[Paint#Diluent or solvent or thinner|paint]], as well as similar preparations such as [[varnish]] and [[lacquer]], by dilution.<ref>{{cite book |title= The Chambers Dictionary |publisher=Chambers Harrup |year=2011 |edition=12th |isbn=978-0-550-10237-9 |language=en |page=1621}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Collins English Dictionary |publisher=Harper Collins |year=1991 |isbn=0-00-433286-5 |language=en |page=1602}}</ref> Technically, [[water]] is a paint thinner (used in [[watercolor paint|water-based paints]], such as [[acrylic paints]]), but paint thinners more commonly refer to [[Organic compound|organic solvents]]. Solvents labelled "paint thinner" are usually [[turpentine]] or [[white spirit|white spirits / mineral spirits]] for the use of diluting [[oil paint|oil-based paints]] only.

These organic solvents on traditional [[painting]] materials can have harmful effects on the [[environment (biophysical)|environment]] through the release of hazard substances, including [[lead]] and other additives.