Pouring and spilling acetone - spout attachment?

Does anyone have issues spilling acetone when pouring? I use the gallon size one and I'm a clutz with it. It spills no matter how I try to pour it (e.g. from the side, straight, fast, slow, etc.). Is there a metal spout attachment, sort of like the spouts on gasoline cans but not plastic and not necessarily as long? Thanks in advance.

 

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I use the smaller tin can and it does the same to me. I always get some on my work bench. It seems to pour back onto itself no matter how I pour it, like you said.

 

Try finding something of appropriate material for use with acetone that works like a turkey baster, such as science lab tools, or in a hobby store you might find glass eye droppers. Larger sizes will accommodate larger amounts to be withdrawn from the can. This way you can just insert the baster/dropper into the spout of your can and avoid pouring and spills of toxic, flammable materials in and around your home or work space.

 

I found this, a reversible spout cap made of aluminum and polypropylene.

A quick Google search shows that polypropylene is resistant to acetone, but not entirely sure on that. Maybe I can find some at one of the big hardware stores around here.


http://www.freundcontainer.com/1in-reversible-long-plastic-spout/p/6200/

 

Something like this works well too and is safe for this solvent and correctly marked for use to prevent others from using the bottle for something else. [link]

 

That looks neat - I guess not all plastics die from acetone!

I may end up spilling a lot of acetone trying to get it in there though unfortunately.

 

You should use a funnel (also of appropriate material) when filling the bottle. If you are not aware of the dangers of Acetone, then you should read the MSDS sheet on the product. Here is a link to the Acetone MSDS downloadable PDF file.

 

Funnels of LDPE ( Low density polyethylene) will serve well as the time of contact before evaporation or remainder on the funnel surface is very short. For long term storage, brown glass bottles or metal containers are the better solution. I still fill my bottle directly from the can, any spillage evaporates before I can screw the top back on the can, especially in the summer.

 

I also advise wearing a respirator when working with acetone, unless you have sufficient ventilation or work outdoors. Regardless of how you go about this, avoid spills at all costs, namely to your person, your health and property as well as environment.

 

You could also try a wine thief, one of those might fit in the can.

 

Those cans splatter all over no easy way around it. I got lots of gallon cans of solvents in my shop I just deal with it.

 

Sounds like an irresponsible approach to be promoting... and a candidate for reading the effects the product can have on you in the MSDS linked to above.

 

Although it has been said many times....don't pour acetone over a PVC drain in your home or shop.

 

Personally especially acetone and paint stripper (methylene chloride) among others I pretty much use pour etc outdoors if at all humanly possible or I do wear a respirator as my lungs are not in good shape

 

Respirator is really not needed unless you have enough vapor to displace the O2 and I doubt anyone here has the SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) required for such circumstances. Acetone is produced naturally in everyone just by living.

And do not use turkey bating type devices. The acetone evaporates so fast it will blow the liquid out.

 

Mostly wear the respirator when I gotta use stripper indoors that stuff just plain nasty!

 

If I can smell it, I wear a respirator. With the hazards of solvents, it's good to wear protection on eyes, hands and over your mouth and nose. It does not require a SCBA. A 3M brand half mask that you can buy at a home center will do, and they are rated for acetone. Repeated exposure of this material leads to health issues, eye wear to protect being splashed in the eyes, something like Nitrile gloves and a mask are all serious recommendations. I know some old timers and people who didn't grow up working with this stuff under such precautions blow it off, but it should be pointed out the dangers exist and better practice too now exists in handling such things.

Certainly, do not use a turkey baster, that was a visual comparison for such a tool to withdraw the liquid without pouring it to prevent splashing and spills. Acetone does not evaporate so fast that just opening and pouring it it's gone into thin air nor does spilling it and the fact that it appears to evaporate justify that the spill has magically cleaned itself up. These descriptions are getting a little magical-sounding, now! LOL!

 

Butyl and latex gloves are good for acetone, nitrile is only rated fair.

http://amo-csd.lbl.gov/downloads/Chemical Resistance of Gloves.pdf

 

Yes, Nitrile is permeated after a minute or so, but also some people are allergic to latex so should take care when selecting their form of protection.

 

You could double glove with a nitrile inside a latex glove.