I started oil painting again recently. I was quickly reminded that the mediums we use, odorless spirit minerals, etc., can SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUST into flames.
HOW is this possible? Something about oxygen?? I was trying to sleep and was scared that my whole house was gonna catch on fire. So that was cool.
In: Chemistry
Certain petroleum products when exposed to air will react with oxygen. As this reaction takes place, it produces heat. If it gets hot enough it will ignite.
It’s mostly risky when you have a lot of the substances all in one spot without a way for heat to escape. Piles of oily rags or rags soaked in mineral spirits are common culprits, as a lot of the spirits will be in one spot heating up, and air can’t circulate through to cool it down.
It’s prevented by removing oxygen (closing your mineral spirit can), dilution, and providing ventilation so heat can escape easily.
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