Gamsol is the safest solvent that allows oil painters to utilize all traditional painting techniques without compromise.
How does Gamsol achieve this level of performance and safety? Most solvents available to artists come from the industrial paint industry where solvent power and cheapness is prized. Gamsol is special: it is made for products and processes that come into more intimate contact with the body such as cosmetics, hand cleaners, and cleaning food service equipment.
Gamsol is a petroleum distillate but all the aromatic solvents have been refined out of it, less than .005% remains. Aromatic solvents are the most harmful types of petroleum solvents.
The Gamsol SDS shows that it has an Exposure Limit Value higher than most solvents available to artists. In addition, Gamsol’s flash point allows it to ship via air cargo as a non-hazardous material.
All of these factors have lead to Gamsol being used widely in oil painting classrooms; in those classes, there are no solvent odours, only the wonderful smell of oil colours.
Solvents should be stored out of reach of children. As important, we recommend not pouring solvents into Mason jars, coffee cups, water bottles, plastic Solo cups, or any beverage container. It is best not to eat, drink, or smoke while painting. Thoroughly wash your hands after your painting session, and before eating.
In our own studios, we have found that metal solvent containers with “clip-on” lids, as well as wide glass jars with screw-on lids work best. Both include basins to allow pigments to settle on the bottom for re-use of solvent and can’t be easily mistaken for water cups. Secure lids also help prevent spills and solvent evaporation.
We highly recommend labeling all containers that contain solvent. Click below to download free Gamsol labels to use in your studio.
