White spirit can be used to dilute paint, for a first coat. Another possibility is that it is also used to clean painting equipment, such as brushes. Its use does not really depend on the surface concerned, but rather on the type of paint used, because white spirit is not suitable for all.
White spirit on all surfaces
White spirit can be used to remove traces of paint as well as to remove a drip, clean splashes on the floor, on bricks (mixed with linseed oil), in a bathroom, on metal (like car rims for example) or even paint stains on the skin (with caution). Once again, it is if you use a glycero paint that white spirit will be effective. Please note, this is a harmful product that should not be applied directly to the skin. In all cases, you must put a small quantity of product on a cloth and rub the stain with it before rinsing with soapy water then with clean water immediately afterwards.
What paints are compatible with white spirit?
These are glycerophthalic paints (in priority), polyurethane or alkyd paints which can be diluted. In principle, paint bottles include the words “white-spirit solvent-based paint”. This is, for example, not the case for acrylic paint (to be diluted with water). So ensure compatibility before making a mixture. Note that applied to raw wood, it will whiten it.
How to clean with white spirit?
Water is ineffective in removing stains from painting equipment and that is the whole point of white spirit. Soapy water can be used to clean water-based paint, but this is not the case with glycerophthalic paints. In this case, you must soak the painting equipment in white spirit while rubbing to remove the paint. Finish by rinsing with soapy water then with clean water.