Lacquer thinner

Lacquer thinner, also known as cellulose thinner, is usually a mixture of solvents able to dissolve a number of different resins or plastics used in modern lacquer.^[1]

Previously, lacquer thinners frequently contained alkyl esters like butyl or amyl acetate, ketones like acetone or methyl ethyl ketone, aromatic hydrocarbons like toluene, ethers such as glycol cellosolves, and/or alcohols.^[2]

Modern lacquer thinners increasingly have to comply with low-volatile organic compounds (VOC) regulations. Often, these formulations consist mostly of acetone and other simple ketones with very small quantities of aromatic solvents.^[3]

Paints that dry by simple solvent evaporation and contain solid binders are known as lacquers. When the solvent in lacquer paints evaporates, a solid layer remains. Since this layer can be dissolved again with the solvent, each lacquer can dissolve the one below it.^[4]

See also

• Paint thinner