Leo Martínez
Bob Ross is known for his oil painting techniques, and his paint-along TV show encouraged many to take up oil painting. Bob Ross Inc. sells a range of art supplies, including the Bob Ross Master Paint Set, which includes oil paints, brushes, and a paint thinner. Bob Ross paint thinner is odorless and designed to thin oil paints and clean brushes. While Bob Ross paint thinner is a popular choice, some people opt for cheaper alternatives, and some sources suggest that the brand of paint thinner does not make a difference. However, it is important to use odorless thinner when painting indoors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Bob Ross |
| Type | Odorless thinner |
| Use | Cleaning oil paint from brushes, thinning oil paints |
| Container | 1 quart (31.64 oz) with child safety cap |
| Shipping | Ground only (flammable) |
| Price | $31.64 |
| Alternative | Turpentine |
| Alternative | Odorless mineral spirits (OMS) |
| Alternative | Gamsol (Gamblin's brand of OMS) |
| Alternative | Mineral Spirits paint thinner |
| Alternative | Various other brands |
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What You'll Learn
Bob Ross's paint thinner is odourless
The Bob Ross thinner is an alternative to turpentine, which has a strong odour. It is made of odourless mineral spirits, which are much safer than turpentine. Turpentine is refined from trees, whereas odourless mineral spirits are made from crude oil.
Bob Ross's paint thinner is available in 32oz (1 quart) containers with child safety caps. It is highly flammable and harmful or fatal if swallowed.
Some customers find the paint thinner to be overpriced, but it is generally well-reviewed for its effectiveness and lack of odour. One customer review states:
> "Love this stuff. No smell. Can use it over and over. Just let it settle and pour off the top."
Another review mentions:
> "The product works as it should, no strong odours, great quality."
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It is not the same as turpentine
Bob Ross's paint thinner is not the same as turpentine. Turpentine is a natural product that comes from trees and is highly toxic. It is a strong solvent that evaporates quickly and is highly flammable. Bob Ross's paint thinner, on the other hand, is odourless and made from mineral spirits. It is also highly effective at cleaning oil paint from brushes and can be reused indefinitely. It can be used to thin oil paints and is compatible with all Ross painting mediums.
One of the main differences between Bob Ross's paint thinner and turpentine is the absence of a strong odour in the former. Turpentine has a strong odour that can be unpleasant and overpowering, especially when used indoors. The odourless thinner provides a more pleasurable painting experience without the strong odour of turpentine.
Another key difference is the evaporation rate. Turpentine evaporates quickly, while odourless mineral spirits have a slower evaporation rate. This means that over the same period, there is less odourless thinner vapour in the air and, by extension, in the lungs. This makes it a safer option, especially for indoor use or when working in enclosed spaces.
In terms of flammability, turpentine has a lower flash point compared to odourless mineral spirits. In other words, turpentine catches fire at lower temperatures than odourless thinner, making the latter a safer option in terms of fire hazards.
It is worth noting that while Bob Ross's paint thinner is marketed as odourless, some users have reported a mild odour. However, it is still significantly less odorous than turpentine. Additionally, some users have found the thinner to be gentle on brush bristles, making it a good choice for cleaning brushes without causing excessive wear and tear.
When it comes to toxicity, turpentine is highly toxic and can be absorbed through the skin. While odourless mineral spirits are also considered toxic, they are generally safer than turpentine. However, it is important to note that even odourless mineral spirits can still pose health risks, and proper ventilation is recommended when using any type of paint thinner or solvent.
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It is similar to Turpenoid (OMS)
Bob Ross's paint thinner is similar to Turpenoid (OMS). Turpenoid is a petroleum distillate, or mineral spirit, derived from ancient organic matter, such as plants. It is odourless, unlike its alternative, turpentine, and is a popular thinner and brush cleaner for oil painters.
Turpenoid is available in a few different forms, including Turpenoid Odorless, Turpenoid Natural, and Turpenoid Gel. Turpenoid Odorless is the first turpentine substitute and has been used by generations of oil painters. It is a highly refined, water-clear mixture of petroleum distillates that is compatible with oil and alkyd paints without affecting colour. It is important to note that Turpenoid should not be applied directly to a work of art without prior testing. When thinning varnishes, the greatest clarity is achieved when Turpenoid is limited to 10%.
Turpenoid Natural is another option that is primarily used as a brush cleaner and conditioner. It is non-toxic and non-flammable, and it effectively removes dried, hard paint from brushes. Turpenoid Gel is a fast-drying oil painting medium that increases the transparency of oil colours and creates impasto effects.
As for Bob Ross's paint thinner, it is specifically designed for his wet-on-wet technique and is used to thin paint and clean brushes. It is important to use an odourless thinner when working indoors, as Bob Ross often did. The Bob Ross Master Paint Set includes the paint thinner, oil colours, various brushes, a landscape knife, and a DVD to get started with his technique.
While Turpenoid and Bob Ross's paint thinner are similar in function, it is unclear if they are identical products. Both products are manufactured by Weber, leading some to suspect that they are comparable, if not the same.
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Gamblin's Gamsol is a good alternative
Bob Ross is a well-known painter who popularized a wet-on-wet painting technique using oil paints. To achieve this technique, a paint thinner is required, and Bob Ross himself used an odourless thinner. While some people suspect that the Bob Ross odourless thinner is the same product as Turpenoid (OMS), which is made by Weber, others believe that it is a unique formula.
Gamblin's Gamsol is a brand of OMS that is marketed as a safer alternative to turpentine. According to Gamblin, Gamsol is not absorbed through the skin, whereas turpentine is. Gamsol also has a higher average molecular weight, which means it evaporates more slowly and has fewer carcinogenic aromatics, such as benzene. This results in a less toxic and less flammable product that is safer to use.
Gamsol is also recommended by artists as a good alternative to other paint thinners. One artist mentions that Gamsol is a great medium as well as a cleaner, and it is much safer than turpentine. This artist also mentions that Bob Ross's frequent use of turpentine may have contributed to his death by cancer, highlighting the potential dangers of using toxic paint thinners.
In addition to its safety benefits, Gamsol is also a more refined product than standard OMS. It has a slower evaporation rate, meaning it will last longer and reduce the amount of product that is breathed in. Gamsol is also free of aromatic hydrocarbons, which are toxic. These features make Gamblins Gamsol a good alternative to other paint thinners, including the Bob Ross thinner.
If you are interested in trying out the Bob Ross wet-on-wet painting technique, you can purchase the Bob Ross Master Paint Set, which includes oil colours, brushes, knives, and the Bob Ross thinner. However, if you are concerned about the potential health risks of the Bob Ross thinner or are looking for a slower-evaporating alternative, Gamblin's Gamsol is a good option to consider.
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Brand doesn't matter for paint thinner
Paint thinner is a solvent used to dilute oil-based paints or varnish. Paint thinners are typically a product of petroleum distillation, natural resins, and oils. They are ideal for oil-based paints and can also be used with stains and varnishes.
There are several types of paint thinners available, including mineral spirits, acetone, xylene, denatured alcohol, and naphtha. Mineral spirits is the most popular paint thinner and can be used on oil-based paints, clear topcoats, and sealants. It is derived from petroleum distillation and has a chemical structure similar to turpentine. Odorless mineral spirits are also available and are commonly used for indoor painting.
While some artists may prefer certain brands of paint thinners, the brand itself does not seem to matter significantly. The key factor is the chemical composition of the thinner and its compatibility with the paint being used. For example, water is typically the best thinner for water-based paints, while mineral spirits are suitable for oil-based paints.
In the case of Bob Ross, he is known for using odorless thinner in his paintings. Some sources speculate that this thinner is comparable to other brands of odorless mineral spirits (OMS) available, such as Turpenoid (OMS) by Weber. Gamsol, another brand of OMS, is recommended for its slow evaporation rate and reduced health risks compared to turpentine.
Ultimately, when choosing a paint thinner, the specific brand is less important than ensuring the thinner is compatible with the type of paint being used and considering factors such as drying time, health and safety, and the intended application.
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Frequently asked questions
Bob Ross paint thinner is a top-quality thinner that cleans oil paint from brushes effectively and is also used to thin oil paints. It is compatible with all Ross painting mediums. While it is unknown whether it is the same as other brands, some users have said that it is at least comparable to Turpenoid (OMS) by Weber.
Bob Ross paint thinner is odorless, which makes the painting experience more pleasurable compared to turpentine. It is also gentle on brush bristles and can be reused indefinitely when used in a brush bath.
Some alternatives to Bob Ross paint thinner include Gamsol (Gamblin's brand of OMS) and Turpenoid (OMS) by Weber. Other brands of paint thinner will also work, as there are no real differences in quality among the different kinds of available paint thinners.
