Where to Buy Pure Acetone in Hong Kong: Acetone vs Nail Polish Remover vs Thinner

A customer came into our Fo Tan shop last week after searching for weeks. He had tried several chemical suppliers without success, and the only thing he could find was nail polish remover at a pharmacy. He needed to remove adhesive residue from metal parts, and nail polish remover will not do that job.

This comes up often. "Acetone", "nail polish remover" and "thinner" are treated as the same thing in everyday conversation, but they are three different products. Using the wrong one wastes time and can damage the workpiece. Here is what separates them, and where to buy pure acetone in Hong Kong.

What pure acetone is

Acetone (CAS 67-64-1) is a clear, colourless organic solvent. It is fully miscible with water, evaporates very quickly, and leaves no residue behind. Industry uses it for degreasing, cleaning, removing adhesive and preparing surfaces before bonding or painting.

The important word is "pure". Industrial acetone is acetone and nothing else. That is the main difference between it and the product sold at a pharmacy.

Acetone vs nail polish remover

The active ingredient in nail polish remover is indeed acetone, but it is a consumer formulation rather than a pure solvent. It contains water as a diluent, fragrance to mask the smell, and conditioners such as glycerine so that users' nails do not dry out.

Those additives are helpful for a manicure and a problem for industrial work:

• Not strong enough — diluted with water, its solvent power drops sharply and it will not shift stubborn adhesive or cured resin
• Leaves residue — the conditioners do not evaporate, and the film left on metal interferes with bonding or paint adhesion
• Poor value — per litre, nail polish remover costs considerably more than pure acetone

In short: wiping metal with nail polish remover before spraying is much like oiling the surface first.

Acetone vs thinner

Thinner is a blended solvent, usually a mix of toluene, xylene, esters and ketones, formulated for thinning paint. It is a recipe, and the composition varies considerably between brands.

Acetone is a single compound with a fixed composition. Compared side by side:

To thin paint, use thinner. To clean, degrease or remove adhesive residue, use pure acetone. The two are not interchangeable.

Common uses for pure acetone

• Degreasing metal — removing oil and grease before welding, painting or bonding, with no residue left behind
• Adhesive removal — sticker marks, tape residue and uncured epoxy
• Cleaning equipment — brushes, rollers, spray guns and spraying equipment
• Surface preparation — a final wipe before applying superglue or epoxy
• 3D printing — cleaning ABS parts, improving bed adhesion and ABS vapour smoothing
• Laboratories and nail salons — anywhere a full-strength solvent is needed rather than a retail formulation

One point to note: acetone dissolves or softens many plastics, including ABS, polystyrene and polycarbonate. If you are not sure what a part is made of, test on a hidden area first. Metal, glass and ceramic are generally safe.

Which size to buy

Acetone evaporates quickly, and an opened container that is not sealed tightly will gradually lose product. There is little point buying far more than you need.

• 1 litre — occasional repairs, 3D printing and small cleaning jobs
• 4 litres — regular workshop use, and the size most customers choose
• 18 litres — production lines, large projects and steady ongoing consumption

Storage and safety

Acetone is a highly flammable liquid with a very low flash point, which is why general retailers do not stock it. Key points for storage:

• Keep in the original container, tightly capped and stored upright
• Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight
• Keep away from heat, sparks, open flame and live electrical equipment
• Keep away from oxidising agents
• Never decant into an unlabelled container — this is the most common cause of workshop accidents

Work in a ventilated area and avoid breathing the vapour. On skin contact, rinse immediately with plenty of water. If splashed in the eyes, rinse carefully with water for several minutes and seek medical attention.

Where to buy pure acetone in Hong Kong

Pure acetone is classified as a flammable good with specific storage requirements, which is why pharmacies, supermarkets and general hardware shops do not stock it. You need a supplier equipped to hold it properly.

We have supplied industrial and government customers since 1994 from our shop in Fo Tan, Sha Tin. We stock pure acetone in 1 litre, 4 litre and 18 litre containers, with delivery by SF Express in 1 to 2 days or collection from our shop. Government departments and corporate customers may use the HKSAR Government Purchase Card and Corporate Purchasing Card; we are a listed supplier with the HKSAR Government Logistics Department.

View pure acetone — specifications and pricing →

If you are not sure whether your job calls for acetone, thinner or another solvent, message us on WhatsApp and tell us what you are working on. We are happy to advise.