Acetone Sprayer

[someonesdad]

Acetone is my favorite solvent for use in the shop and, with responsible use (good ventilation, keeping it off the skin, and keeping it away from a source of ignition), is quite safe. For about the last 15 years, I have been keeping a few of the yellow "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" spray bottles filled with acetone. I have found that these HDPE spray bottles work well with acetone to allow me to always have some handy for instant use. A few quick sprays on a paper towel lets me clean something -- and I don't worry about accidentally tipping the container over, as they don't leak. I usually take them outside to fill them from a gallon container of acetone using a funnel. The yellow container is nice because it's quite visible. I also use them to spray IPA (isopropyl alcohol) and a window cleaning solution. I like this reuse better than tossing them into the garbage can.

 

If you like, make a tip resistance test yourself -- tip the bottle over while you're e.g. working at your computer. Let it sit for a reasonable period of time and then smell it to see if you can detect any acetone smell (our smell can detect 20-400 ppm of acetone). If you can't smell any, it's not leaking significantly.

 

I don't know if this spray butter product is sold outside the US, so this may be a US-only tip. Of course, make sure you clearly mark the containers as to their contents. I use a blue Sharpie pen (a standard tool in my shop -- works great as a poor man's Prussian blue or for metal scribing), but write on the label, as the acetone will tend to remove the writing when the Sharpie is written on the plastic.

 

Let your womenfolk know about this tip too -- you can give them a bottle with acetone in it for helping remove nail polish. It's cheaper than buying the overpriced stuff they normally use. Just spray acetone onto some cotton or a couple of sheets of toilet paper.

 

I haven't tried it with xylene, MEK, lacquer thinner, etc., as I don't use these solvents very often, at least compared to acetone. If you do want to try these, I recommend filling it and let the container sit outside somewhere innocuous and protected for a week or so. Or, head to a place that lists chemical compatibility of polyethylene. Note MEK and acetone are both rated "marginal" -- but I know from experience that these spray bottles hold up to acetone storage over more than a decade of use.

[zquilts]

What a good tip. I had thought of trying / reusing a spray bottle but wasn't sur if lacquer thinner would eat through the plastic.

Thanks for answering that question!

[kirchh]

I recommend a Menda dispenser for solvents. I like the Pure-Take pump for ease of dispensing and for spill resistance as well as contamination protection and minimal fumes as compared to atomizing/spray dispensers. The part number for a pump setup with 2 oz. HDPE square bottle is 35802. These dispensers are not inexpensive, but they are industrial grade and work extremely well, so I feel they are worth it.

 

--Daniel

[someonesdad]

I recommend a Menda dispenser for solvents. I like the Pure-Take pump for ease of dispensing and for spill resistance as well as contamination protection and minimal fumes as compared to atomizing/spray dispensers. The part number for a pump setup with 2 oz. HDPE square bottle is 35802. These dispensers are not inexpensive, but they are industrial grade and work extremely well, so I feel they are worth it.

I used those decades ago in industry and they worked OK, especially with industrial Q-tips. I agree that if you spray into the air, you're gonna get more vapors; however, I usually spray into a cloth or paper towel and I get finer control with the sprayer -- besides, I can spray where these pumps can't be used. And I like recycling something since it basically doesn't cost anything. As always, use what works best for you.