Mineral spirits paint thinner. It can refer to anything used to thin paint. In fact it is often confused to be the same as lacquer thinner or mineral spirits. They are both petroleum based single solvents that have moderate evaporation rates. This distinguishes them from products such as turpentine that are derived from living pine trees.
While both paint thinner and mineral spirits are petroleum based solvents mineral spirits is the more refined of the twothis increases its effectiveness while reducing odor volatile organic. Mineral spirits is not as stinky. It contains other types of solvents which makes it a lot smellier and more volatile. Mineral spirits is a term that specifies the products composition while paint thinner is a generalized term that describes the products function not its composition.
Paint thinner is mineral spirits but in a less refined form. Paint thinner is a very generic term. Both products are derived from minerals. Paint thinner is cheaper.
Mineral spirits are a type of solvent typically used for cleaning tools and machinery that tend to build up grease and grime.