Hello everyone,

I live in Phuket. I am going to paint my surfboard and I need to find a small quantity of acetone to be used to remove all traces of grease and oils to ensure a good paint bond with the polyester resin. I have visited several small hardware and paint stores as well as Home Works and no one seems to know what I am talking about. I have even written it out in Thai, included the chemical formula, and proper chemical name. There are numerous bottles of different types of "paint thinner", but nothing to indicate the actual chemical. I dont want to just use anything, because not only do I want to ensure the safety of the polyester resin, I need something that will not leave any residue behind. Nail polish remover has acetone in it, but also contains other chemicals that will leave a residue behind. I have also been told that I can use denatured alcohol (sometimes called methylated spirits, methylated alcohol, white sprits, methol, and probably some other names). It is usually composed of 95% Ethanol(ethyl alcohol) and 5% Methanol(Methyl alcohol). Does anyone here know where to buy either of these chemicals, their name brands, etc? I do not need very much, just enough to wipe down a 7 foot surfboard a couple of times. 250ml should do it with no problem. Im sure they are easy to find if you know what to look for and I have probably overlooked them a dozen times already. Any info would be appreciated...pictures would be worshipped.

The preferable solvent for this would be sugar soap.You can usually find what you need at any reasonable sized paint shop.

most paint shops will have "metanon", acetone is often used in nail polish remover, but it may have other stuff you won't like. check the label for oils, fragrence etc.

oops I see you've checked nail polish.

Methanol is common.

Edited August 9, 201016 yr by thatguy

Any good pharmacy should stock either acetone or isopropyl alcohol.