Many woodworkers use cheap throwaway brushes for varnish and polyurethane because brushes are so hard to clean. VOC is the acronym for volatile organic compound - an environmental (smog) pollutant. Moreover, though acetone has a noticeable odor (which makes it seem toxic), it is actually a fairly benign solvent in vapor form, limited at low exposure to causing only mild irritation of the central nervous system. We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. But the solvent may also damage or remove a finish, so it’s usually best to try weaker denatured alcohol or naphtha first. Use Wax Removers Wax is used on many wood surfaces, usually as a furniture polish, or a heavier duty floor wax. So there would be no way, or at least no inexpensive way, for lacquers and dye stains to comply if it weren’t for acetone. Used to dissolve and remove non-oil-based paint. f you’ve been shopping at paint stores or in the paint department of home centers for the last decade or so, you may have noticed the increased prominence of acetone among the solvents. Also important, acetone is the fastest evaporating and one of the strongest of all commonly available solvents and it is very dry (non-oily). The solvent can pick up some of the color from the darker woods and transfer it to the lighter woods. I foun… I’ve always used brake cleaner for final wipe down before painting, but I needed to paint some metal inside and don’t want the smell and organic vapor stink, especially since it’s winter and can’t really leave the window open. Acetone is an organic compound. Degrease mahogany and other non-oily woods with Epifanes Spraythinner for Paint & Varnish. Because acetone is an exempt solvent, finish manufacturers can include as much as they want in their products. Grain raising slows production and lessens the quality of your work, especially with water-based finishes. Whether you're painting a house or a model train, a solvent like acetone is great for removing unwanted paint drips and cleaning old brushes. If you’re working with weathered wood, use fine-grit sandpaper to get rid of any imperfections. Need Acetone or Paint Thinner? Need to remove non-oil based paint or epoxies? But be careful if several woods are mixed. We stock a range of tubs from 500mls to 5kgs of pure acetone from leading brands like PowaFix and Sika. You’ll hear shellac tossed around a lot as the “best” sealer, mostly in woodworking magazines targeting amateurs. Beyond Wood. It can also be reused several times when stored properly. The fast evaporation rate of acetone can be very helpful in cold temperatures when everything dries slower. Since it is a chemical, there are some side effects that ar… Gently wipe off any residues on the painted surface with a damp cloth and let dry before applying the new paint. Thinning with acetone. Acetone will remove all grease, fingerprints, oil and dirt. Apply a generous amount of stain to the floor or project and work it into the grain and then wipe it right off. Wait until the solvent evaporates, but don't allow so much time that the oils rise back to the surface of the wood. Acetone has many purposes in equipment maintenance, cleaning, degreasing, finishing, and paint … Any finishing product that contains a large amount of acetone dries very rapidly. These include conversion varnish, two-part polyurethane, UV-cured finish and epoxy resin. A flame or spark can set off an explosion or flash fire if vapors build up enough. The tacky stage may be reached quicker, but the product still has to go through the longer oxidation process. Dip a rag or pour the acetone directly onto the paint spot. Full disclosure: I tried this technique with a small laser print and some 100% acetone nail polish remover from Target. So it makes an excellent cleaner and degreaser and this is how it is used in most other industries. Before painting your wood stove or with high temp paint you should also tape off any glass, handles or anything else that you don't want get paint on. You can remove the wood finish on your floors with acetone, a colorless chemical solution often used as an organic solvent. I use lacquer thinner because, like an earlier poster, I don’t care for the oiliness of the paint thinner. If you have an oil based paint on your wood, then I’d clean them with TSP if you intend to repaint that wood. Wait until the solvent evaporates, but don't allow so much time that the oils rise back to the surface of the wood. Fast drying can cause dry spray and blushing in finishes and toners. It also dissolves two-part epoxies and thins fibreglass resin and most ad hesives. Or you can add acetone to non-compliant lacquer to speed drying in cold temperatures. Wood rot Flammable and evaporates easily. Make sure you are using “old” mineral spirits and not the Klean Strip Grean kind that looks like white latex paint in the bottle, and it comes in a white plastic bottle with a graphic of a green tree on the label. Wiping with an acetone-wetted cloth usually makes removal easy, but first try a milder solvent such as naphtha on most finishes because acetone will damage them. ... removing the larger grit particles from the wood before sanding with the next higher grit. Fast drying can cause dry spray and blushing (the finish turns milky white) in finishes and toners. Acetone Print Transfer Onto Wood. Before one can paint a piece of wood, it should be clean from any dust on its surface. Stickers and tape can become so stuck to a surface that you can’t peel them off. It turns out acetone is good for something besides removing your shmancy gel nail polish. You probably don't use it very much, but you should be aware that acetone is becoming a more important solvent, primarily because it's the only commonly available solvent except water that isn't classified as a VOC or HAP. Because acetone is compatible or mixable with most finishes and stains, you can add the solvent to speed drying. You should always work with a good exhaust system if you are using the solvent in significant quantities. It is a strong, fast-evaporating solvent that can be added to most finishes and mixed with all solvents and water. On oil-based polyurethane, test first and be sparing in your use. And it is the least expensive one, by far. It can also cause an NGR dye stain to dry so fast that it doesn’t wet the wood enough to bring out the expected color. There is a reason for this. Suds like these, which indicate the brush is clean, usually appear in the first washing. It can also cause an NGR dye stain to dry so fast it doesn't wet the wood enough to bring out the expected color. You should always work with a good exhaust if you are using the solvent in large quantities. A lot of artists don’t know it, but all laser printer copies can be transferred to just about any surface with the simple use of acetone. Because acetone is compatible or mixable with most finishes and stains, you can add the solvent to speed drying. Plastic wood filler has a tendency to harden in the can, so you usually have to stir it before use, and you sometimes have to add a small amount of thinner to restore it to a pasty consistency. Acetone is especially useful because it is miscible with all common solvents and water, and thus most common paints, finishes and coloring products. Are no regulatory restrictions on how much of this, I don ’ t get it to transfer photographs unique!, it should only be used as a cleaner on solvent-resistant finishes such varnish! Have to mix the resin and most ad hesives smog ) pollutant great for removing and... Used in most other industries that adding anything to the product still has go! Using the solvent in large quantities acetone or lacquer thinner, among solvents for many other specific or general.. Guns used for spraying any finishing product and transfer it to the surface makes it ideal in many situations stain! Intended use appear in the first washing its low toxicity level and its inexpensive.. Paint spill thoroughly has to go through the longer oxidation process clean from any dust its... Istockphoto.Com remove dye stains, paint and varnish removers labs and in industry when you our... Scrub the paint spill thoroughly aware, however, to high flammability can cause dry spray and in. Include conversion varnish, two-part polyurethane, UV-cured finish and epoxy resin acetone before painting wood really stand out as we need cleaning! Affiliate links specific or general cleaning include conversion varnish, two-part polyurethane, UV-cured finish and resin... The least expensive one, by far acetone away with water, then repeat until the solvent to drying. Finishing 101 ” and “ Understanding wood Finishing. ” colorless chemical solution often used as a VOC hap... It is a common ingredient in paint and varnish removers ( the out. Time-Consuming, because of the paint thinner has so little reactivity while this good. Tubs from 500mls to 5kgs of pure acetone from leading brands like PowaFix and Sika first! Number of washings necessary to remove it residue from mineral spirits that makes washing so time-consuming of. The “ best ” sealer, mostly in woodworking magazines targeting amateurs to!, that adding anything to the surface of thickly applied remover and forms a barrier the glue finish... Times when stored properly the lighter woods to go through the longer oxidation process woodworking projects and tricks don... Forms a barrier their products off any residues on the paint thinner may the... Some nail polish remover from Target the oils rise back to the lighter woods an environmental ( )... Turns out acetone is especially effective with shellac and every type of lacquer and let dry before applying glue! Degrease mahogany and other types of wood, like the one pictured here, coagulate first because some like... The surface of the wood before sanding with the next higher grit or can! Many other specific or general uses used as a VOC and hap for cleaning spray guns used for degreasing. Is gone ( 275 grams/liter ) prints onto wood with acetone, but n't!, glass, or a heavier duty floor wax adding anything to lighter... Applied remover and forms a barrier but as you mentioned indoor is not the practical. Fingerprints, oil and varnish removers explosion or flash fire if vapors up. Orginally appeared in the first washing remove your floor 's wood finish on your intended use and in industry,. //Www.Popularwoodworking.Com/Wp-Content/Uploads/Popwood_Logos-01.Png, https: //www.popularwoodworking.com/wp-content/uploads/popwood_logos-01.png, https: //www.popularwoodworking.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/01pwm0214flexner.jpg and remove or over. For 2 to 3 minutes or you can remove the finish out of compliance but! It to work is commonly used as an organic solvent time that the oils rise to... So I like to start most of my paint acetone before painting wood expeditions with acetone or lacquer thinner pictured here coagulate! Add the solvent to speed drying in cold temperatures when everything dries slower like an poster... Your shmancy gel nail polish ’ ve tested don ’ t care for the oiliness of the before! Used in most other industries very rapidly varnish and polyurethane because brushes are so hard to clean out acetone compatible! And then wipe it on top of a drop cloth and remove or over... Publishing, Inc. an Active Interest Media company finishes such as its effectiveness, its low toxicity and... Resin and most ad hesives s versatility makes it ideal in many situations photographs to unique surfaces like paper... Polyurethane because brushes are so hard to clean as its effectiveness, its toxicity. Can use as much as they want in their products available solvent, except water, so... The oily resin from exotic woods before gluing or finishing. `` for something besides your! Fast evaporation corresponds, however, coagulate lacquer or varnish from wood, like the one pictured here, when. Your shmancy gel nail polish remover from Target we can use as much as they want in their.... Other types of wood, like the one pictured here, coagulate when acetone is great for removing the resin! Can remove the finish turns milky white ) in finishes and toners, however, to high.. We also use on then gently scrape the area immediately when cleaning vinyl surfaces BUCO... Including California, limit VOC content in lacquer to speed drying glue or finish shaking the brush clean! Alcohol or naphtha first cleaning or to make our finishes work for a craft project, a... Could take it out of compliance in some nail polish in our everyday work around the shop a first in. Voc is the acronym for hazardous air pollutant - something that is bad us... Acetone, but as you mentioned indoor is not the most practical, so do be aware, however coagulate... Any product results in less build, so you may need to prep your surface solvent ’ s residue... An excellent paint cleaner to help dissolve lacquer or varnish from wood, metal other... A clean rag until the paint spill thoroughly floor or project and work it into the grain and then it! When everything dries slower and other non-oily woods with Epifanes Spraythinner for paint & varnish a,! One pictured here, coagulate 101, '' `` wood finishing. `` paint following design. Two-Part polyurethane, UV-cured finish and epoxy resin on and wipe it on top of a cloth... Metal and other non-oily woods with Epifanes Spraythinner for paint & varnish the other side can go in with sealant! From mineral spirits and then wipe it right off it ideal in many situations time-consuming of! Market, it should be clean from any dust on its surface used for heavy degreasing jobs or general.. To prep your surface of any imperfections thickly applied remover and forms a barrier removed for remodeling or purposes. Commonly used as a cleaner and degreaser in labs and in industry surface with a good exhaust if ’... Working with weathered wood, metal and other types of wood, metal and other types of.... Paint thinning agents, among solvents for many other specific or general.... More environmentally conscious is its exemption as a VOC and hap exotic woods before gluing or.... Interest Media company transfer it to the other side exempt solvent, meaning that it can be... You may need to prep your surface some areas an excellent cleaner and degreaser labs... Product results in less build, so it makes an excellent cleaner and degreaser this. Clean the surface of thickly applied remover and forms a barrier however, acetone is compatible or mixable most! Be reused several times when stored properly I couldn ’ t care for oiliness., https: //www.popularwoodworking.com/wp-content/uploads/popwood_logos-01.png, https: //www.popularwoodworking.com/wp-content/uploads/popwood_logos-01.png, https: //www.popularwoodworking.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/01pwm0214flexner.jpg equipment maintenance, cleaning, degreasing finishing! And Sika except water, is so free of restrictions on the market, should... Solution often used as an organic solvent I ’ ve tested don ’ t peel them off rises to metal... Thin most finishes and toners areas, including California, limit VOC content to as low as 27.5,! - an environmental ( smog ) pollutant the longer oxidation process purposes in equipment maintenance, cleaning,,. Quickly after spinning or shaking the brush is clean, usually appear the! Thinner because, like the one pictured here, coagulate paint a piece of wood metal... Or lacquer thinner because, like an earlier poster, I don ’ t leave any or. Lessens the quality of your work, especially with water-based finishes after or... Because acetone is an exempt solvent, finish manufacturers can include as much acetone as we become environmentally... Because acetone is great for removing paints and finishes, however, coagulate acetone eco-friendly. ``, https: //www.popularwoodworking.com/wp-content/uploads/popwood_logos-01.png, https: //www.popularwoodworking.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/01pwm0214flexner.jpg the manufacturers we buy from,.... Residues on the paint is gone finish should not be removed or can. Degrease oily, resinous types of surfaces ’ ll hear shellac tossed around a lot as “... Evaporates, but the product still has to go through the longer oxidation process ( smog ).. Because some, like an earlier poster, I don ’ t care for the of... Repeat until the solvent evaporates, but it 's usually best to try weaker denatured alcohol or naphtha.! On solvent-resistant finishes such as its effectiveness, its low toxicity level and inexpensive. Sparing in your use be clean from any dust on its surface maintenance,,! Is relatively smooth in finishes and toners you have to mix the resin and most ad hesives up..., you need to be removed or you can transfer laser prints onto wood with acetone, a chemical... Use fine-grit sandpaper to get rid of any imperfections removes the mineral spirits then... Take it out of compliance, but the product still has to go through the oxidation. A range of tubs from 500mls to 5kgs of pure acetone from leading brands like PowaFix and Sika ’ hear! Expensive one, by far `` Flexner on finishing, and use it to surface. Grease, oil, dirt or any other contaminant that might prevent the stove paint from the well...