Gamblin Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits
Gamsol is the safest solvent that allows artists to work in traditional and contemporary techniques without compromise. It can be used to thin oil colors and painting mediums, and for general studio clean-up. This 100% pure odorless mineral spirit is reusable and non-toxic when used as recommended.
Not all solvents used in oil painting are created equal. Gamsol allows painters to work in traditional and contemporary techniques without compromising artistic possibilities, permanence or your well-being. For an artist, there are a number of factors to consider when judging a solvent’s safety. Aromatic solvents are the most harmful type of mineral spirits. Gamsol is an odorless mineral spirit which has all of the aromatic component refined out of it – less than .005% remains. In addition, Gamsol has a slow evaporation rate, high flash point and is not absorbed through healthy skin. These factors have led to Gamsol being The Standard for Studio Safety, and the solvent of choice among artists and instructors in classrooms and home studios. Gamblin’s family of Galkyd painting mediums, Cold Wax, Gamvar Picture Varnish and Ground are all formulated with Gamsol. We recommend only Gamsol for thinning these materials.
Primary Uses for Gamsol:
- Thinning oil colors. A little goes a long way; stiff oil colors relax immediately when a little Gamsol is added. Be careful not to thin oil colors too much with solvent alone, this can compromise the ability of the paint to form a paint film.
- Modifying painting mediums. Our Galkyd line of painting mediums are formulated with Gamsol, so they readily accept Gamsol as a thinning agent. Note: Gamsol should not be added to painting mediums made with natural resins (dammar, copal, mastic). They require strong solvents such as turpentine.
- Studio clean-up: brushes, palettes, palette knives, etc.