Sunnyside makes petroleum-based solvents, paint thinners, and specialty chemicals that Montana contractors have been buying for decades. Their product line includes standard, low-odor, and odorless paint thinners in gallon and 5-gallon sizes, plus the full range of jobsite solvents — acetone, lacquer thinner, linseed oils, kerosene, and muriatic acid.
The company has earned recognition for reliable cleaning and paint preparation products in the United States, though most of what contractors know about Sunnyside comes from using their products rather than corporate marketing. Professional contractors view their paint thinner as a reliable solvent suitable for various painting and coating projects. Their muriatic acid is known for effectiveness in concrete cleaning and masonry work.
Low-Odor and Odorless Paint Thinners
Montana’s indoor painting season runs from October through April — that’s six months of working in closed-up spaces. Sunnyside offers standard, low-odor, and odorless formulations to match the job requirements.
The odorless option makes sense for occupied homes, schools, and medical facilities. Their odorless paint thinner contains 100% mineral spirits with approximately 761 g/L VOC content. That’s not low-VOC by any stretch, but the lack of odor means less customer complaints during winter interior work. The low-odor variants come in at 303 g/L VOC — still plenty of solvent power but easier on the nose.
| Specification | Odorless | Low-Odor |
|---|---|---|
| VOC Content | 761 g/L | 303 g/L |
| Base Solvent | 100% Mineral Spirits | Mineral Spirits |
| Flash Point | 120°F | Not specified |
| Evaporation Rate | Slow | Medium |
The slow evaporation rate on the odorless formula actually helps in Montana’s dry climate. You get more open time for blending and less lap marking on large walls. Both formulations work as thinners for oil-based paints, stains, and varnishes, plus cleanup for brushes and equipment.
K-1 Kerosene for Job Site Heating
Sunnyside’s K-1 kerosene meets ASTM 1-K specifications with a flash point of 102°F. More importantly for Montana use, it’s highly refined to reduce sulfur content and crystal clear with no dyes to extend wick life.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Grade | K-1 (ASTM 1-K) |
| Flash Point | 102°F |
| Density | 6.98 lb/gallon |
| Appearance | Crystal clear, dye-free |
| Sulfur Content | Low (refined formula) |
The clean-burning formulation minimizes soot and smoke — critical when you’re running torpedo heaters in partially enclosed spaces. Primary applications include portable kerosene heaters for indoor and outdoor use, plus camping and emergency stoves. At 7,000+ feet elevation in places like Whitefish, clean combustion matters even more.
Acetone for Cold-Weather Applications
Sunnyside acetone comes in 99.5% purity with an evaporation rate of 7.7 versus n-Butyl Acetate. That’s fast — exactly what you need when working fiberglass repairs in sub-freezing temps. The flash point sits at -4°F, so handle with respect.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Purity | 99.5% minimum |
| Evaporation Rate | 7.7 (vs n-Butyl Acetate) |
| Flash Point | -4°F |
| VOC Status | Exempt |
| Odor | Strong |
As a VOC-exempt solvent, acetone doesn’t count against project VOC limits. Use cases include thinning epoxies and lacquers, cleaning fiberglass and polyester resins, plus surface prep for metal painting. The fast evaporation means no residue — perfect for final wipe-downs before coating application.
Muriatic Acid for Concrete Work
Montana’s freeze-thaw cycles are brutal on concrete. Salt deposits, mineral stains, and surface scaling need aggressive treatment. Sunnyside’s muriatic acid delivers 31.45% hydrochloric acid concentration with 0 g/L VOC.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| HCl Concentration | 31.45% |
| VOC Content | 0 g/L |
| pH | <1 (highly acidic) |
| Appearance | Clear to light yellow |
Applications include etching concrete for better coating adhesion, removing efflorescence and mineral deposits, plus pH adjustment for pools and spas. That 31.45% concentration means it works fast — no standing around waiting for the acid to bite. Mix 1:10 with water for most etching jobs, stronger for heavy deposits.
Linseed Oil Options
Sunnyside offers both raw and boiled linseed oil with 0 g/L VOC content. The choice depends on your timeline and application.
| Specification | Raw Linseed | Boiled Linseed |
|---|---|---|
| Drying Time | 2-4 days | 12-18 hours |
| Coverage | 80 sq ft/gallon | 80 sq ft/gallon |
| VOC Content | 0 g/L | 0 g/L |
| Color | Clear amber | Clear amber |
Raw linseed penetrates deeper but takes 2-4 days to dry. Fine for shop projects or protected exterior wood. Boiled linseed dries in 12-18 hours — better for field applications where weather windows matter. Both protect against scratches, nicks, and watermarks while enhancing wood grain.
Don’t let “boiled” fool you — it’s not heat-treated. The drying agents (metallic dryers) speed oxidation. Common uses include treating wooden tool handles and thinning oil-based stains. At Montana’s UV levels, any exterior wood needs regular maintenance. Linseed oil provides decent protection without film build-up.
The 80 square feet per gallon coverage assumes bare wood. Second coats use less as the wood saturates. Mix 50/50 with turpentine for better penetration on dense hardwoods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the difference between Sunnyside’s regular and odorless paint thinner?
Sunnyside’s odorless paint thinner contains 761 g/L VOC with 100% mineral spirits and has a slow evaporation rate, while their low-odor version has 303 g/L VOC with a medium evaporation rate. Both thin oil-based paints, stains, and varnishes equally well — the odorless just makes interior work more bearable during Montana’s six-month indoor painting season.
Q: Is Sunnyside acetone pure enough for fiberglass work?
Yes, Sunnyside acetone comes at 99.5% purity minimum with a 7.7 evaporation rate (versus n-Butyl Acetate) and leaves no residue. It’s specifically formulated for cleaning fiberglass and polyester resins, thinning epoxies, and surface prep work on metal — with a -4°F flash point that demands careful handling.
Q: What concentration is Sunnyside muriatic acid?
Sunnyside muriatic acid contains 31.45% hydrochloric acid concentration with 0 g/L VOC and a pH below 1. That concentration works fast for etching concrete, removing efflorescence, and cleaning mineral deposits — typically mixed 1:10 with water for standard etching jobs.
Q: How long does Sunnyside boiled linseed oil take to dry?
Sunnyside boiled linseed oil dries in 12-18 hours compared to 2-4 days for their raw linseed oil, with both providing 80 square feet per gallon coverage. The “boiled” version contains metallic dryers that speed oxidation — not actual heat treatment — making it better for field applications where weather windows matter.
Q: Does Sunnyside make CARB-compliant paint thinners?
Yes, Sunnyside offers CARB-compliant formulations in their paint thinner line, particularly in their 5-gallon containers which are marketed as Low-VOC/LVP (Liquid Vapor Pressure) compliant. Their product codes include 304G5 and 704G5 for 100% mineral spirits versions that meet California Air Resources Board requirements.
Q: Will Sunnyside K-1 kerosene work in torpedo heaters at high elevation?
Sunnyside K-1 kerosene meets ASTM 1-K specifications with highly refined, low-sulfur content and crystal-clear appearance that minimizes soot and smoke. At 6.98 pounds per gallon with a 102°F flash point, it’s formulated for clean burning in portable kerosene heaters — critical for job site heating at Montana elevations.
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