Epoxide Oil

Epoxide Oil is a fast drying oil with good alkali resistance. The copolymer of linseed oil and dicyclopentadiene provides a new vehicle that can be added to paints without volatile organic compounds (VOCs), yet provide low enough viscosities that make it easy to use and apply. Epoxide Oil is a reinforced oil that is excellent in varnishes and paints. Use it in place of natural and synthetic resinous mediums to speed up drying and improve film hardness, adhesion, and resistance to alkalies.

Dicyclopentadiene, abbreviated DCPD, is a chemical compound with the formula C₁₀H₁₂. At room temperature, it is a white crystalline solid with a camphor-like odor. Dicyclopentadiene is a monomer in polymerization reactions, for example as a copolymer with ethylene or styrene utilizing only the norbornene double bond.

Use

Most oil painting mediums in addition to a drying oil, such as linseed oil, include resins that consist of polymers. Many polymers, however, are in dispersions or are solutions of polymers because they are prepared and used as a part of dispersions or solutions of polymers in organic solvents such as mineral spirits. Most of these oil painting mediums include thermoplastic polymers, such as alkyds, that require the use of organic solvents which often are toxic and/or subject to regulation. Epoxide Oil is a 100% solids oil, that is it does not contain organic solvents, and has properties similar to that of alkyds and hence can be used in place of alkyd painting mediums.

Add a small amount, up to 30%, to oil paint to speed drying, increase gloss, flow out and leveling, hold out and to harden the paint film. Unlike bodied oils, Epoxide Oil will not increase tackiness and drag in oil paint at the same use levels.

Use turpentine, spike oil or mineral spirits as the solvent for oil painting mediums and for brush and studio clean up.

Source

Linseed oil is a yellowish drying oil derived from the dried ripe seeds of the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum, Linaceae).

Health and Safety

There are no acute or known chronic health hazards associated with the anticipated use of this product (most chemicals are not fully tested for chronic toxicity). Always protect yourself against potentially unknown chronic hazards of this and other chemical products by keeping them out of your body. Do this by avoiding ingestion, excessive skin contact, and inhalation of spraying mists, sanding dusts and vapors from heating. Conforms to ASTM D-4236.

WARNING: Rags or paper towels contaminated with vegetable drying oils, particularly those containing iron oxide pigments are susceptible to spontaneous combustion. To prevent unexpected fires, used rags or paper towels contaminated with oil-based materials should be collected in a closable, air-tight container. Store water-dampened rags or paper towels in a metal container with an air-tight top. Alternately, washing contaminated rags will remove contaminating materials and eliminate risk.

For more information on how to handle artist's materials safely, please read How to Safely Handle Art Materials and Pigments.

Storage

For best results store in a cool, dry place tightly closed.