Thread: Adventures with acetone

Originally Posted by Worgus

... Typically unless you use them daily for extended periods of time you have less of a concern about absorption through your hands and more nervous system damage through inhalation. I would advise respiratory protection and ther is a big difference in the many filters available if you are unsure ask a qualified person, not just someone at home depot. I have worked around these chemicals for years as a painter and I personally know people who have lost many years of their life due to improper PPE. I don't want to scare anyone either, just respect the seriousness of the chemicals that you are working with....

+1 this. As to eating the latex gloves, don't know about that. Absorbing through them, definitely. I worked with methylene chloride for about a year, all day, 5 days a week. We rinsed all our glassware in methanol, then methylene chloride; even with super thick "solvent proof" gloves that cost an arm and a leg, the methylene chloride still gets through. Sure, MEK is probably sneaky stuff to work with, but methylene chloride is a nasty little monster. Even through those thick gloves, latex gloves, and kevlar cut resistant gloves, if they leaked AT ALL your hands would feel like they were on fire for a minute or two. Whew, I could talk chem and solvents all day long, if you want to play with a dangerous solvent try DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide); it slips into your skin, carrying any bacteria on your skin with it! Sorry for the long windedness, got off track.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE: 1. Safety glasses that WRAP OVER your eyes!!!! 2. ventilation, no need for a respirator if you're using proper ventilation 3. don't splash the stuff around. Pretty much it.

Originally Posted by adbuett

+1 this. As to eating the latex gloves, don't know about that. Absorbing through them, definitely. I worked with methylene chloride for about a year, all day, 5 days a week. We rinsed all our glassware in methanol, then methylene chloride; even with super thick "solvent proof" gloves that cost an arm and a leg, the methylene chloride still gets through. Sure, MEK is probably sneaky stuff to work with, but methylene chloride is a nasty little monster. Even through those thick gloves, latex gloves, and kevlar cut resistant gloves, if they leaked AT ALL your hands would feel like they were on fire for a minute or two. Whew, I could talk chem and solvents all day long, if you want to play with a dangerous solvent try DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide); it slips into your skin, carrying any bacteria on your skin with it! Sorry for the long windedness, got off track.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE: 1. Safety glasses that WRAP OVER your eyes!!!! 2. ventilation, no need for a respirator if you're using proper ventilation 3. don't splash the stuff around. Pretty much it.

Yep, spent a lot of time in the last few weeks with paint thinner containing methylene chloride. Kept using progressively thicker gloves before I found a pair it wouldn't absorb through....

Lots of fun when I spilled some, then accidentally knelt in it to get my brush under a ledge...

Originally Posted by adbuett

Eh, Methyl ethyl ketone isn't any more dangerous than acetone, or isopropyl alcohol. It's probably less hazardous than mineral spirits if I had to guess; petroleum distillates are pretty nasty. MEK, acetone, and isopropyl alcohol are similar in flamability, and exposure hazard. Sure, don't huff it, but I wouldn't huff acetone either. Also, a respirator that is designed for solvents must be used if that's the route you want to take. It must be a respirator, not a dust mask. Either that or a contained breathing apparatus. But really, just don't work in a closet or small room and you'll be okay. Moral: don't be scared, just be careful: ventilation, eye protection, and optionally latex gloves.

Credentials: Masters in Chemistry from Illinois State University (2010), Volatile Organics GC/MS Analyst

I've studied toxicology as part of a Masters of Workplace Health and Safety, which I discontinued when I changed careers. Also I have 18 years experience in industrial personal injury insurance so I have seen plenty of examples of chemical poisoning.

After reading the MSDS and doing some research I would use a respirator when handling MEK (and yes I know that MSDSs are written by professional worrywarts). Then again I may be confusing the appropriate safety standards for handling industrial quantities of MEK and what is appropriate for a hobbyist.

I would counsel against using gloves whilst handling razors. you can easily protect against skin exposure by using the appropriate tools (eg paintbrush and toothpick).

OK so I am trying to repair a set of scales that broke near the pin in a unppining accident. I have MEK I bought from Lowe's after reading here that it should work better and stronger then Acetone and I have tried "painting" it on the scales where they broke and holding them together but nothing. The stuff evaporates almost as soon as I put it on and even when I hold the scales together and paint the breaks while holding them they still do not stick and do not even start to melt at all and I am not sure what I am doing wrong. The scales are black celluloid off a morley and son's and say clover brand on them so I would realy like to save them and yes I am making a brass backing for the scales as well since they broke near the pin. The picture below is the same type of scales on another morley that isnt broke for reference. My camera died so I dont have a way to take pics of the broken scales right now but it was a twin set to the one in the picture. Please HELP!

Hi,

Firstly I am not an expert on this field, just an enthusiastic beginner.

My first question:
Are you sure the scales are celluloid?
My experience has been that acetone reacts very quickly and vigorously with celluloid. You should be able to see the melt occurring with just the smallest drop of acetone.
They may be another early plastic like bakelite or even vulcanised rubber.

Second question:
How old are the scales?
I collect razors mainly from the 20s and 30s, which is when the process for making celluloid had stabilised. One of the earlier production methods may not used the same processes and thus make MEK/acetone inappropriate.

I think they must be bakelite then cause the acetone and MEK both have no effect on the scales. Ill try some epoxy once I finish the brass baking for them. Thanks Again for the help.

Originally Posted by WarmShave86

I think they must be bakelite then cause the acetone and MEK both have no effect on the scales. Ill try some epoxy once I finish the brass baking for them. Thanks Again for the help.

rub the scales until they get warm between your hands. If they smell like sulphur then they are bakelite or hard rubber. If they were celluloid, the MEK and Acetone would have definitely reacted with them.

Cheers,
Sean