Do you have to use Cellulose thinners or will white spirit or meths do?

[reiddo]

Hi all,

I've just followed Phil's melamine instructions with good success, will post a pic shortly, but the only bit I wasn't able to follow 100% was using 2:1 thinned cellulose sanding sealer, as I didn't have thinners. Before I go and buy cellulose thinners, does it have to be that, or will white spirit or methylated spirits work?

Had a search through the forum and the default is cellulose thinners so I suspect I have my answer but thought I would check :-)

Cheers
Dougie

 

[Dalboy]

Cellulose thinner is the correct one as it is compatible with the lacquer. best to stick with the correct one for the job. It is surprising how much your paint and finish cupboard fills up if you looked at mine it is totally packed with stains paints and finishes.

 

[alpha1]

I dont thin it I use it neat.

 

[21William]

To dilute or not dilute cellulose sanding sealer is a contentious issue! One manufacturer suggests this should not be done. Another one sells it already pre-thinned. I’ve heard of folks using universal thinners as sold by Lidl and Aldi for sanding sealer as it’s very much less expensive. I wouldn’t use it though as I don’t like the smell. CSS isn’t cheap to start with so I’d always be inclined to use proper cellulose thinners. Quite why manufacturers feel the need to make so much profit on it is a bit disappointing. If you know anyone that works at a garage or specifically a body shop, they pay very much less than we do for it and may sell you the odd litre for a reasonable price?

 

[Phil Dart]

You need cellulose thinners Dougie. I've always just used the Chestnut stuff, so I can't really comment on other makes, although I appreciate that on the face of it, some thinners are much cheaper. 500ml of the chestnut stuff lasts for ages though, unless you're gearing up your pen making to the levels of commercial output. You're only using 1 part thinners to 2 parts sealer, so a tin is going to make the equivalent of 1.5 litres of thinned sealer. That's a lot of sealer from a pen maker's perspective.

 

[Bill Mooney]

I use cellulose a gunwash from eBay. It works out about 12 for 5 litres & does the job ok. I’ve used it for years.

 

[Penpal]

Thanks for the heads up on the thinners,that question hit the spot for me as well.

Peter.