Mineral spirits will not change the color of the wood. It darkens it when wet, but when it dries the wood retains it's original tones. Blue tape sticks much greater than green painters tape, which is my favorite if I can find it. Yellow painters tape is for delicate surfaces, therefore it has less adhesive so it's lubricating properties are less than blue or green painters tape. I'm planning to experiment with adhesive backed shelf paper; I've read about some scrollers that are using it, and find it's cost and labor effective. Apply it to the wood, then the pattern over it. They say it peals off very easily.