Can I Travel With My Small Tubes Of Oil Paints?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Virtually all oil paint solvents, painting mediums, pastel fixatives, varnish solutions and petroleum distillates are flammable and therefore

banned from airlines

, even in your checked baggage. If the material has the cautionary words flammable or combustible on the label, don’t pack it or carry it on board.

How do you pack an oil painting on a plane?


Keep your paints in a separate plastic bag in case they leak during the flight and pack them in your suitcase

(don’t carry them on the plane). I suggest packing the paints in a clear plastic container. Be sure and enclose your paints with the Plein Air Magazine label!

Are you allowed to bring small paint tubes on a plane?

Most paints and paint-related solvents are regulated as flammable liquids and are

forbidden in carry-on or checked baggage

.

What art supplies are allowed on a plane?

So how do you travel with art supplies, practically? Take the bare minimum.

A small pad, pencils, pens, and watercolors

are perfect for traveling. When flying, store paints in zip-lock bags or containers along with any sharp tools and carry them in your main luggage.

How do you transport oil paint?


Use tissue paper, foam, or breathable sheets to avoid trapping moisture when moving an oil painting

. Humidity can damage your artwork. Do not use bubble wrap directly to prevent trapping moisture as it can rough up the painting’s layer. Oil paintings must always be packed with the works stacked sideways and not flat.

Can you take oil paints in hand luggage?

Restrictions. According to the FAA,

there is no limit to how many oil colors you travel with

. However, all liquids, pastes, and gels in carry-on baggage are limited to 100-ml (3.4oz) containers at the TSA security checkpoint.

Can I take paint in my hold luggage?

Checked-in Luggage


Put all your liquid-based items (paints, mediums, etc.) in your checked in luggage if possible

. It is less likely to cause you a hassle and you are not restricted on volumes.

Is there non flammable paint?


FIRESAFE

®

(IP10) is a proprietary interior, non-flammable paint

. This paint is non-toxic, drain safe, water based, no fuming, and AQMD super compliant. FIRESAFE

®

is a sprayable and tintable non-flammable paint perfect for walls, sheetrock and electric panels.

Can you ship oil paints internationally?

Latex and water-based paints are OK to ship internationally. They don’t require any special handling. However,

oil paints are often flammable, and that makes them Dangerous Goods for Transportation

(our favorite topic!).

Is oil paint flammable when dry?

When present in its original container, there are solvents present that make spray paints flammable. But, once they are applied on the surface, dried, and cured, their solvent evaporates. This makes them combustible, but

not flammable

.

Is oil paint flammable?

Is Oil Based Paint Flammable?

Yes, oil-based paint is incredibly flammable

due to the solvents contained within them.

Can you travel with artwork?


Most airlines allow you to travel with crated artwork in your checked luggage

. Baggage fees will likely apply, especially for oversize or heavy items. Multimedia pieces must also fit into security guidelines and cannot contain any materials on the Transportation Security Administration prohibited-items list.

How do you travel with oil?

Yes! As long as your essential oils fall within the TSA 3-1-1 rule (

your liquids have to be less than 3.4 ounce each, they have to all fit in 1 quart-sized plastic bag, and you can only have 1 plastic bag)

. If you’re worried about your oils spilling, you can always bring an essential oil travel case.

How do you transport art on a plane?

If the painting is larger than the restricted dimensions, you won’t be allowed to carry it on the plane.

Package the painting in a box that meets the carry-on size requirements for the airline

. Put foam or cloth inserts on the face of the painting to keep it from getting scratched during the flight.

How do you travel with a painting?

Paint and the solvents used to make it are considered flammable liquids and are prohibited to be brought on board or in checked baggage on most airlines.

The majority (but not all) of paints used by artists are nonflammable and may be carried in carry-on and checked baggage with no problem

.

How do you ship oil paint tubes?

Wrap each bagged tube in a piece of bubble wrap and tuck all the wrapped tubes in a cardboard box. Fill the empty gaps with crumpled paper so the tubes can’t move. Seal the box and ship it out from the post office.

Can you leave an oil painting in a hot car?

Extreme or unstable environmental conditions, particularly temperature and humidity, can be detrimental to an oil painting.

Temperatures over 75 degrees Farenheit will cause the support to expand and the paint layers to crack and flake away

.

Can you fly with linseed oil?

DO NOT attempt to carry-on any liquid mediums or solvents and do not pack them inside your checked luggage. Just don’t.

No mineral spirits, turpentine, or linseed oil can be guaranteed to make it past the TSA

.

What paint can be exposed to flames?


Intumescent paints and cementitious coatings

are two commonly used fire resistant coatings. Both can be effective, depending on your fireproofing needs.

Can you get fireproof paint?


Fire retardant paint is designed to stop spreading the flame and fire over a given surface by releasing a flame dampening gas once the paint becomes hot

. It is suitable for both interior and exterior steel and it should be fully fire tested against British safety standards BS 476.

What is fireproof paint?

Fire retardant paint, sometimes referred to as flame retardant paint, is

decorative paint designed to prevent flames from spreading for 30 – 120 minutes

. It looks like traditional paint, but it provides extra safety by: Reducing flammability and combustion of materials. Reducing the amount of smoke produced.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.