Gamblin Safflower Oil is ideal for cleaning brushes during solvent-free painting sessions. Wipe away excess paint on a rag or paper towel and dip the brush into Safflower Oil. Work the brush and Safflower Oil on a glass palette or in a ceramic bowl until color floods from the brush. Wipe brush on a clean paint rag and continue painting.  Hang paint rags out to dry before disposal. If your painting session creates a lot of paint rags, use an Oily Rag Can for temporary disposal. Empty the oily rag can after each studio session into a sturdy plastic bag and soak with water before sealing the bag and disposing of in an outdoor garbage can or dumpster.

Safflower Oil is also an excellent slow-drying painting medium that increases paint flow. One of the palest, least yellowing of all drying oils, Safflower is the same oil binder used in several Gamblin whites: Radiant White, Titanium-Zinc White, Warm White, Cool White. Use only a small amount (up to 25%) of Safflower Oil straight or thin with 50% Gamsol to use in higher proportions or for thin transparent glazing.

What is the difference between Gamblin Safflower Oil and the safflower oil I can get from the grocery store? 

Gamblin Safflower Oil and food grade safflower oil are essentially the same. However, there is one important distinction to be made- drying properties. We source our safflower oil with tight iodine value specifications to make sure it will dry in a paint film. Safflower oil’s iodine value is one metric that ensures the oil will properly dry. Cooking safflower oil may or may not dry properly in an oil paint film and may vary in drying properties from bottle to bottle.