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As a solvent, acetone is highly effective at removing uncured resin from fibreglassing tools like polyester rollers and brushes.
Note: avoid skin and eye contact and do not inhale. Keep in a well-sealed container and store in a cool, dry place.
Acetone (C3H6O) is also known as dimethyl ketone or 2-propanone. It is a simple ketone.
As a liquid, it is colourless, volatile, and flammable, possessing a distinct and strong odour. It can be found naturally in plants and even the human body, albeit in trace amounts.
Acetone is a versatile solvent commonly used in laminating and other resin applications for the cleaning and quick-drying of tools. Commercial applications include resin removal (pre-curing) degreasing textiles and other materials as we as an ingredient to thin polyester resin, ultimately reducing its viscosity.
Acetone is recommeded as a cleaning solvent to supplement both small fibreglass repair kits and for larger fibreglass pond kits and flat roof kits, where the tools can be re-used.
In terms of safety, acetone is generally recognized to have low acute and chronic toxicity. It must be stored in a well-ventilated environment and away from heating and ignition sources. Because of its highly flammable nature, its vapour can produce explosive fumes when mixed with air.
Users should wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent ingestion, inhalation, and contact with eyes and skin.
Q. Can acetone be used to make polyester resin less viscous?
A. Yes, but it is generally advisable to practice in advance; over-thinning the resin will lead to a more dilute resin and therefore a thinner layer.
For instance, if you are creating a fibreglass laminate using 600-gram CSM, for instance, your target quantity of resin per square meter of matting would be 1.5 – 1.7 kg. Adding 10 % less resin (e.g. 1.35 – 1.53 kg per square meter) and replacing the 10 % removed with acetone could mean a lower quantity of resin being used per square meter of matting – particularly at the lower end of the range (i.e. 1.35 kg).
Therefore, it is advisable to prepare the quantity of resin required – and then add the acetone for dilution.
| Volume | 1 L, 10 L, 2 L, 3 L, 4 L, 5 L |
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