Thinning Epoxy with Fingernail Polish Remover

DSV · #1 (**permalink**) 4 Weeks Ago

hey guys, i was wondering if i could thin epoxy with fingernail polish remover?

i use this stuff to get the epoxy off my paintbrush when i'm done, so i guess it could work as a thinner...

should i use fingernail polish remover with acetone or without acetone?

also, if the remover has a purple hue to it, will that show in the clear coat?

thanks.

clamboni · #2 (**permalink**) 4 Weeks Ago

Just get Acetone. The nail polish remover has extra stuff in it that could affect the cure of the epoxy even more than acetone alone will. I'd imagine a purp[le hue would show up in the final coat. Just get acetone.

rhahn427 · #3 (**permalink**) 4 Weeks Ago

Denatured alcohol works too

nova · #4 (**permalink**) 4 Weeks Ago

Alcohol works the best and there is residual smell. I use 90%.

www.novalures.com

Swede · #5 (**permalink**) 4 Weeks Ago

nailpolish remover contains oil so thinning epoxy with it is a nono

DSV · #6 (**permalink**) 4 Weeks Ago

that sucks, i dont have denatured alcohol OR just plain acetone! i really didnt want to have to go out and buy some stuff just for this.

any other solvents that will work?

what about rubbing alcohol? something makes me think that won't work.

Downriver Tackle · #7 (**permalink**) 4 Weeks Ago

Don't even go there. LOL There's so many remover formulations, god knows what you're thinning it with. some are even water-based now. As for the denatured alcohol guys. You're playing with fire. Virgin DNA will work, but it's surely not the best reducer. It could cause clouding and it will retain moisture rather well. Can lead to some ugly clear jobs in high humidity or if you're not dilligent in keeping it closed. The best reducer for almost any epoxy is a 3:1 mix of MIBK(methyl isobutyl ketone) and toluene. You'll get the fastest reduction and a nice glass finish. Acetone is way too fast and generally takes too much to get the viscosity you need. I'm still puzzled why so many people want to reduce their epoxy though. I can see for spraying, but for brushing, I use 100% solid epoxy and it flows out just beautifully. Trying to do a quickie job with multiple coats of quick set epoxy just isn't time efficient. 1 coat of 100%(3 minutes per lure) and I'm done. Put then on the turner for 3 hours and they're set-up, ready to use or ship tomorrow.

b75nweav · #8 (**permalink**) 4 Weeks Ago

What's wrong with Denatured alcohol (besides being toxic). I use that sometimes and have also used acetone. I used D2T for a long time without thinning, but the bigger the baits got I just had to thin to get the stuff not to get hard on me, no matter how fast I went. You can heat a little to bring it back to life but I think that just speeds up the curing process. I think it really depends on your location, here in Fl is like 100 degrees with 100% humidity. The D2T sets up super quick. Hence my need to thin a little.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downriver Tackle

Don't even go there. LOL There's so many remover formulations, god knows what you're thinning it with. some are even water-based now. As for the denatured alcohol guys. You're playing with fire. Virgin DNA will work, but it's surely not the best reducer. It could cause clouding and it will retain moisture rather well. Can lead to some ugly clear jobs in high humidity or if you're not dilligent in keeping it closed. The best reducer for almost any epoxy is a 3:1 mix of MIBK(methyl isobutyl ketone) and toluene. You'll get the fastest reduction and a nice glass finish. Acetone is way too fast and generally takes too much to get the viscosity you need. I'm still puzzled why so many people want to reduce their epoxy though. I can see for spraying, but for brushing, I use 100% solid epoxy and it flows out just beautifully. Trying to do a quickie job with multiple coats of quick set epoxy just isn't time efficient. 1 coat of 100%(3 minutes per lure) and I'm done. Put then on the turner for 3 hours and they're set-up, ready to use or ship tomorrow.

nova · #9 (**permalink**) 4 Weeks Ago

Acetone and toluene are a lot more toxic than DNA.

www.novalures.com

BobP · #10 (**permalink**) 4 Weeks Ago

Many of us are hobbiests with limited access (maybe not a bad thing) to special solvents and little if any knowledge about coatings chemistry. I apprecaite hearing comments from an expert. I've used acetone, virgin lacquer thinner, non-virgin LT and denatured alcohol. DA has worked best. Very thin, it makes a very good waterproofer. In the heat of summer when straight epoxy becomes unbrushable in about 5 mins, a little DA extends the work time but cures about as fast as unthinned epoxy. I haven't noticed any clouding.

What shelf at Home Depot do they store the MIBK/Tolulene?