Butyl carbitol is used primarily in the manufacturing of lacquers based on nitrocellulose, cellulose ethers, and chlorinated rubber. Small quantity is also used in combination lacquers. Solutions of nitrocellulose in butyl glycol may be diluted with large quantities of white spirit, aromatic hydrocarbons, or ethanol without adversely affecting the film properties. A small quantity of butyl diglycol improves both the flow and dilution capacity of the lacquers and also enhances the gloss of the resultant lacquer films.

Since diethylene glycol mono butyl ether (butyl diglycol) dissolves only dried lacquer coatings very slowly, it is ideal for the preparation of brushing lacquers based on cellulose esters, cellulose ethers, and chlorinated rubber. Even small addition of butyl diglycol to alkyd and the viscosity of the lacquer solution considerably reduces, thereby improving the brush-out properties of such lacquers.