Both of these spirits are interchangeable for the purposes of silk
painting. They are used to dilute spirit-based gutta, and to remove it
from the silk completely if so desired.
You should wear rubber gloves if your hands are going to be in the
spirit, for example when you are removing gutta, because it dries out
the skin. Ordinary household washing-up gloves are fine, but they will
swell and eventually disintegrate. Industrial-strength gloves from an
occupational health and safety shop are better protection, and last
longer.
It is best to work outside with white spirit or
Shellite, so that you can avoid breathing the fumes as much as possible.
Store the spirit in a shed outside if possible, especially if you have
large quantities: it is highly flammable and quite dangerous.
Note: Never use large quantities of Shellite or white spirit
anywhere near an open flame.
