Other names for raw linseed oil etc

by Jennine
(Brisbane)

I live in Brisbane and am trying to source raw linseed oil. Is refined linseed oil the same thing? also the odorless mineral spirit- does that have other names. Love your e-book Jennine

Answer:

Hi Jennine! Check out a boating supply or hardware store. Online also. Raw linseed oil is not filtered as well as refined linseed oil. It usually is not considered artistic grade. I do use it to oil out my canvas, but not in mixing with the paint. It has a distinct honey color as refined linseed artist grade oil is almost clear.

The odorless mineral spirits does not go by other names. There is a product called Turpenoid which is an odorless turpentine. I am not sure of its properties. If you are using Damar varnish in your mixtures, you can only use turpentine to cut it. Both are organic and the turps will break the Damar down properly. If you use odorless mineral spirits with Damar, you get jelly. The OMS is not organic and will not cut the resins within the Damar down enough to use properly. If mixed, the gel that is created never dries but remains tacky for many months and will weep petroleum by-products to the surface of the paint film for years. (I'm not a chemist, but I have an artist friend that did some extensive research with a chemist into why his painting would not dry)

Hope this answers all.
Delmus