Don't Throw Out Used Paint Thinner — Here's The Trick To Reuse It

If you want to avoid a messy, annoying cleanup after painting, then paint thinners are the way to go. However, these products are harsh on the environment, and the right way to dispose of paint thinner involves going all the way to a hazardous waste center. Rather than doing all of that after a single use, you can reuse your old paint thinner by straining out the solids. 

To reuse paint thinner, put your used product into a clear, sealed container and let it sit for a day. Once you return to your jar, you'll notice a clear liquid on top with some gunk at the bottom. That clear liquid is your paint thinner while the bottom layer is all of the pigment and debris that you don't want. Pour your paint thinner into a new container without agitating any of the gunk. And voila, you have recycled paint thinner! The remaining gunk will still need to be taken to a hazardous waste center.

You can also make the job easier by placing a homemade filter into your can. Some have found success using a cleaned tuna can with holes punched in the bottom. It's not 100% necessary, though, so don't stress if you don't have anything suitable on hand. If you often use small paint brushes, you may instead find it worth purchasing a brush cleaning tank, such as this one from Honeydak. These are jars with aluminum coils at the bottom that gently clean your brush while allowing debris to settle at the bottom. 

Whether it's reused or new product, storing your paint thinner the right way is very important. Paint thinners contain hazardous ingredients, like acetone, benzene, methanol, and turpentine, and are highly flammable. Not only is the liquid itself an issue, but your paint thinner's fumes are also combustible. To avoid any problems, make sure your paint thinner's container is tightly sealed. This will also stop it from evaporating. Then, store it in an area away from direct sunlight and heat sources. 

If you have a lot of paint thinner on hand, you can also use it for tasks outside of cleaning brushes. For example, paint thinner can be used to strip paint, and you can even use paint thinner to get rid of dried super glue. Before using paint thinner outside of its intended purpose, do some research to ensure your product will work on these materials. And anytime you use paint thinner, you need to take proper precautions. This includes working in well-ventilated areas and wearing protective gear, like gloves, goggles, and a mask. Refer to your paint thinner's manufacturer's guidelines for any specific instructions.