Solvent As a solvent, turpentine is used for thinning oil-based paints, for producing varnishes, and as a raw material for the chemical industry. Its use as a solvent in industrialized nations has largely been replaced by the much cheaper turpentine substitutes obtained from petroleum such as white spirit. A solution of turpentine and beeswax or carnauba wax has long been used as a furniture wax.
solvent as a solvent turpentine is used for thinning oil-based paints for producing varnishes and as a raw material for the chemical industry its use as a solvent in industrialized nations has largely been replaced by the much cheaper turpentine substitutes obtained from petroleum such as white spirit a solution of turpentine and beeswax or carnauba wax has long been used as a furniture wax