White spirit

[Studiot]

Can anyone explain the (chemical) difference between white spirit and turps substitute please?

[Horseb0x]

They're both hydrocarbon distillate fractions but mineral turps is heavier. White spirit is hydrocarbons in the C7 to C12 range. Mineral turps is C9-C16.

[Studiot]

Thank you for the reply.

My paint chemistry book gives white spirit as being largely aliphatic with about 10 - 15% aromatic content.

Of course real turpentine is an aromatic mixture.

Unfortunately the book does not mention turps substitute. Would this be the same as what you have called mineral turps?

My reason for asking was that I was in the shop the other day looking at the paint shelves, one with a row of white spirit and one with a row of turps substitute, both priced the same and I wondered what was the point of have two?