Used as a solvent for paints, inks, coatings, gums, resins, nitrocellulose, and as a chemical synthesis intermediate, it is particularly suitable for vinyl resins. It is primarily used in pesticides, paints, and can coatings. It is a high-boiling-point solvent for nitro spray lacquers and synthetic resin coatings. It is also used as a specialty paint thinner. When mixed with methyl isobutyl ketone, it can dissolve phenolic resins and epoxy resins.