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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,712 |
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Valued Member
United States
327 Posts |
Fortunately it is not going to be about whether to use it or not to use it. Let's just assume that I'm going to use it. I know it says on the back to use in a well ventilated area. Does that mean that it can't be used in the house at all?
I was thinking about pouring it into a glass cup and then when not using it, cover it with something non permeable when not in use. I didn't figure that the dipping time would be extensive.
Our house is 1600 feet on each floor. Just how dangerous are the fumes? I really don't want to do it outside. It's like 10 degrees F. here! And the shop is not a lot warmer than that.
So where do you actually do your acetone work?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
10982 Posts |
I use acetone in my kitchen. I do not have a gas range or any natural gas appliances in the area. I use a small glass and only about 2 ounces of acetone at a time. You need to keep the unused acetone in it's original sealed container when not in use. Acetone will evaporate (vaporize into the air) very quickly so "covering it when not in use" is really not an option and I wouldn't attempt to save the used acetone. I flush used acetone down the drain with a large quantity of water and rinse the glass thoroughly when I'm done . Hope this helps!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3592 Posts |
I keep about two ounces in a small jar that had paint in it before.I wouldn't worry about the fumes too much except that the daughter really dislikes it and can tell if I used it in the house.So for a quick dip, I'll go out on the sunporch, bigger jobs,I head to my shop which is heated. I do reuse it unless it gets cloudy.
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Moderator
 Australia
16806 Posts |
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Just how dangerous are the fumes? Treat acetone like petrol - it's flammability and offensiveness of fumes are more or less similar. If you wouldn't be comfortable sloshing gasoline around in the same place, don't use acetone there either. Quote:
So where do you actually do your acetone work? If I had a large number of coins I wanted to treat, I'd take them to the lab at work on a slow day. There'd be plenty of spare acetone on hand, and access to their industrial-strength fume cupboards.  For just a couple of coins at a time, I've either gone outside or used the area around the bathroom sink. If your bathroom has one of those ventilator-things, switch it on - that should be "well-ventilated" enough. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Since you need a relatively small amount for coins, there will not be a huge quantity of vapors. A kitchen or bathroom with a vent fan is a good place, the fumes will be no worse than your wife doing her nails  Room temp is the perfect environment as well, too cold and the acetone will not flash off the coin as quickly as it should. Small quantities of acetone can be flushed down the drain with an ample amount of cold running water, just let the water run for a couple minutes and you will have no worries about vapors coming out your drain. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
I've used Acetone in the house, garage, the patio when weather permits. In the house, in small quantities in a glass jar with a glass lid. In the garage in similar containers. Excess Acetone is simply dumped out on my car port since it is rather fun to see how fast it vaporizes. If my garage, should ever have a fire, the entire neighborhood would probably vanish. Many gallons of different types of gasoline for old cars, snow throwers, lawn mowers. Acetone, pain thinners, Alcohol, Benzine, Kerozine, Bar-B-Que lighter fluids, Paint in cans and spray containers and some stuff I'd rather not even mention. Just don't light a match.  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19931 Posts |
The fumes are minor and not harmful. I use acetone anywhere except near open flames. LOL Also, I rinse with it, not dip.....although I have soaked with it.
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
Also, I rinse with it, not dip.....although I have soaked with it.
HMMMMM. I've heard you look like you've soaked in something.  Hopefully you held your breath when submerged. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19931 Posts |
Always the joker! Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6381 Posts |
If you tightly cover the glass with aluminum foil you can prevent the acetone from evaporating for a couple days. I put a strong rubber band around the foil to maintain a decent seal.
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Valued Member
 United States
327 Posts |
I think it was Thad that recommended baby food jars awhile back. I think that will be the way to go. If I use our glass dessert bowls, the wife will be a yellin! :)
Edited by johnstac
01/13/2011 11:12 pm
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Plastic containers with the #5 recycle code(polypropylene) are safe for storing acetone. I would not recommend using other plastics though. With that said, glass is best especially for the evaporation test because you would never see residue on opaque or translucent polypropylene like you would with clear glass.
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,712 |
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Posted 01/12/2011 07:35 am
