Flash oil

Flash oil is a form of kerosene. It is used to reduce the tack in etching inks. It is clear and non-yellowing. Because it is high in wetting strength, only a few drops are required to reduce most inks. 1

Quotes

• The tack reducer is a mixture of a type of highly refined kerosene (known by lithographers as flash oil) 2

• Instead of thinning oil-based paint with paint thinner/mineral spirits, thin with a little VM&P Naphtha, as it flashes (dries) quicker and thus avoids runs better." 3

• All solvent based inks, which up until a few years ago included almost all the ink types, dry by solvent evaporation. The pigments and resins harden as the solvents evaporate into the air. 4