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About Zest-it
What is Zest-it? The
simple answer is, it's an environmentally friendly, non-flammable,
non-toxic, biodegradable, alternative to 'turps' and white spirit,
made from the zest of citrus fruit for cleaning brushes and thinning
paint, in effect a studio safe solvent. (see note)
Not so simple answer, Zest-it
is a natural solvent made from pure food
grade
ingredients, which has a neutral pH value and contains no CFC's or
Aromatics (Citrus Oil and Hydrocarbons). It is a clear liquid which has a pleasant 'citrus' smell and
is inherently biodegradable (it evaporates without leaving any residue). Non-irritating to the Eyes or Skin
(if you have dermatitis or any other skin condition on your hands, then
we recommend the use of Nitrile® gloves -
this would be a sensible practice when using any solvent). It is
Non-toxic and Non-flammable with low evaporative loss, (if you have a
known allergy to citrus fruit then it may be best not to use this
product). Independent laboratory tests show it has no detrimental effect
to the oil paint or pigment quality, proven stability and a long shelf
life. See
letter
 View
the Product range.
Why
use Zest-it? Most solvents used with traditional oil paints are
known to be one of these:- an irritant, or toxic, or highly inflammable.
Three good health reasons why it may be better to change to a safer way
to paint.
Even the 'odourless' variety of solvents still give off fumes,
you might not see or smell them, but they are still there.
See
letter
Zest-it is a studio safe solvent as it can be
use even in a small studio or the home and is certainly better if there are
children or grandchildren around.
It's active strength is longer lasting than turpentine or white spirit, it is
reusable with very little lost by evaporation, so therefore you use
less.
When you've use Zest-it for brush cleaning, at the
end of the painting session, leave the Zest-it to stand for a good few
hours preferable overnight. The paint sediment will settle to the bottom
of the container, the clear Zest-it can then be decanted off and
re-used. If you use a paint kettle, often referred to as a 'bucket
and screen', the need to decant would be far less frequent. Some
even filter it through cotton wool and a 'stocking' or kitchen towel.
 The sediment needs to be
disposed of sensibly, as with other
solvents containing the remains of oil paint (pigment and oil) it is not advisable just to throw it down the
sink or drain, (an easy way is to pour the sediment onto dry sand before
disposing).
Zest-it is kind to
brushes. 'Turps'
and white spirit are know to 'leech out' the natural oils from bristle
and hair brushes, causing them to go brittle and dry over time, because
Zest-it contains citrus oils it helps maintain the integrity of your
brush hair or bristle giving your brushes a much longer life.
View the
Zest-it product range
If you are a teacher and had to give up oils due to
the necessary restrictions in schools and colleges, with Zest-it
you can paint again safely.
If you are a demonstrator and are worried that the
establishment you are in, is covered for fire risk, then with Zest-it
you don't have that worry.
If you had given up on oils for health reasons, due to
either the smell, toxicity or family members, with Zest-it
you don't have that problem.
A lot of people have informed us that, 'since using Zest-it
they don't suffer with headaches anymore' like they did when using other
products.
It is
so true, what I said about the 'Zest it'....if it wasn't for that I
would not be painting in oils again, it has made such a difference to my
work and I really enjoy myself now....Maureen.
3.Feb.00 e-mail
How to use Zest-it? There
are many ways you can use Zest-it -
for cleaning
brushes, painting knives,
palettes, canvas, clothes (if used on
clothes, remove beforehand, then wash after with soap and water) and even
to remove paint from the hands.
If you use on the hands wash well after with soap and water or use
the Artists Hand Cleaner. Use it to
dilute the paint for applying colour to a 'ground',
it may be just a little slower drying than white spirit, which for most people isn't a problem.
It can also be mixed with linseed oil in the
normal way and used as a painting medium. Wherever you would have used
turpentine or white spirit, you can now use Zest-it as an alternative to
these. You can also thin oil paint to an ink consistency for use with
dip pen
nibs for writing, where a more permanent finish is required.
See
letter
Zest-it Trade site
More Zest-it information (Health&Safety)
Legal information MSDS
FAQ
Zest-it with other
media
Parchment artists use Zest-it
as an endorsing fluid, to colour the back of the parchment, an example can be seen by clicking the above link. Parchment artists now have available a
50 ml Zest-it Parchment Blend, same Zest-it
just packaged smaller a good 'try it
out' size!
 New
For blending Coloured Pencils and Pastel for Parchment and other work on vellum or paper. An easy, clean and
convenient way of using Zest-it to moisten paper stumps, tortillions and shapers. Pre-impregnated with 15 ml of
Zest-it and ready for use.
Re-moisten when necessary with 5 ml of Zest-it Brush Cleaner, Pencil or Parchment Blend. Do not over fill. Keep
closed when not in use. www.zest-itartproducts.co.uk or
J & T Art and Calligraphy
Coloured pencils. Many coloured pencil artists have found Zest-it to
be an excellent product for under painting and blending their pencil work. Only a small amounts is used with a
brush, 'cotton wool bud' or tortillions and it evaporates without
leaving any residue. Many coloured pencil artists work in their own home and have found Zest-it to be the studio safe
solvent of choice.
We have Zest-it Pencil Blend in 50 ml;125 ml; 250 ml and 500 ml sizes
especially for coloured pencil artists. An additional page on my own web site about
blending using Pencil Blend can be
found by clicking the link.
These products are available from
J
and T's Art & Calligraphy and Zest-it Art Products and
Stockist.
Pastel and Oil pastel.
Zest-it can also be used with Pastels and Oil pastel, especially for
under painting and blending, it allows the first layer of pigment to be
permanently laid down on the paper (not for use with Royal Sovereign
Pastel card). The Oil pastel page will give you information on using Oil pastels
with Zest-it and the Zest-it Clear Painting Medium.
You can use Zest-it with oil based inks,
Oil Paint Sticks and with wax.
Use Zest-it for thinning the wax to
apply over the painted
surface or use more Zest-it to thin the wax to a 'soupy' consistency for painting on a
paper surface.
Please note: You may have read on other sites
that 'citrus thinners' give off hazardous fumes and they may do, but
Zest-it is not 'citrus thinners'.
Zest-it has been thoroughly tested to today's industry standards and
does not give off hazardous vapours or fumes and for many people is the studio safe solvent of choice especially
when working in the home.
More Zest-it information (Health&Safety) or
FAQ
Published articles in
the Artist and Illustrators Magazine (2/97)
(9/99)
(1/00) (9/04), the Leisure Painter Magazine (2/98)
(12/98)
For a list of Retailers, Stockists
and where you can purchase on-line
On a personal note - I have been painting with oils for over 25 years, I
nearly gave up oil painting because of the headaches and nausea I
suffered using Turpentine and another popular painting medium.
I did not make Zest-it available to others until I had researched it
thoroughly and tested it in every conceivable way and was sure the
product would not do me, my family or my paintings any harm. Jacqui.
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