: So, does turpentine penetrate better? Or do you use it because it evaporates
: faster? Or is there another reason to use it over paint thinner?

Don,

Good question! I have heard various reasons and don't have a definitive answer. Some folks claim that being a wood product that it penetrates better, some folks claim that the gummy resins act as a sealer and are more compatible with oil, or that the gum solids and other natural compounds help to polymerize the oil (violin linseed oil/turps varnishes are based on this principle, but involve a specialized process. see http://www.scavm.com/Fulton.htm). Gum turps has other beneficial properties for oil-based paints and protection of natural bristle brushes that make it popular. On the other hand, other folks claim mineral spirits works just as well.

All the old-timers that I have talked to and at least one source on making canoe paddles strongly recommends gum turps (I don't have the book available, I'll look it up later, and see if it gives more information). Of course, it could be simply that good gum turps smells good and makes the finishing process much more pleasurable.

Greg Stamer