Thinners

Our Thinners range covers paint thinners and brush cleaners for marine coatings – used to adjust the viscosity of paint and varnish for the conditions you’re applying in, and to clean brushes and equipment between and after use.

Always use the thinner specified for the particular paint or varnish system you’re using, rather than a generic thinner – different coatings (single-pack enamel, two-pack polyurethane, epoxy, varnish) often need chemically different thinners, and the wrong one can affect cure, finish or adhesion. Thinning is mainly about matching viscosity to temperature and application method: cooler conditions or spray application often call for a touch more thinner than warm-weather brush application, within the product’s recommended range – over-thinning weakens the film and reduces coverage. Keep a dedicated thinner or cleaner for brushes and equipment so you’re not tempted to use the same product meant for thinning paint, which can be a false economy if it’s not suited to full-strength cleaning.

Store thinners away from ignition sources and follow the safety data sheet, since most marine thinners are flammable.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use any thinner with any paint?

No – use the thinner specified for that particular paint or varnish system, since different coatings need chemically different thinners and the wrong one can affect cure or adhesion.

How much should I thin marine paint?

Follow the product’s recommended thinning ratio for your conditions and application method – over-thinning weakens the paint film and reduces coverage.

Are marine thinners flammable?

Most are – store them away from ignition sources and follow the product’s safety data sheet.