Acetone is a solvent, it is a colorless, flammable liquid that evaporates rapidly. In the art world Acetone is used frequently to thin paints and epoxy resins and to clean surfaces and brushes.

Acetone is found in many art related products, in particular it is used as a thinner for paints and resins, as well as a cleaning fluid for artists. For example when bonding something to plastics, fiberglass resins, epoxies and metals an artist should wipe the surface with acetone to clean the surface of oils and grease. An adhesive such as super glue or paint will then adhere to the surface much better.

Acetone is also frequently used in art restoration processes, it is used to gently dissolve older layers of varnish to clean and reveal the original painting.

WARNING: Acetone is flammable. Acetone is an irritant to humans; breathing of vapors should be avoided and any direct contact with Acetone or Acetone fumes can cause health problems.

Acetone art technique - printmaking
An interesting use of Acetone for the artist; Acetone can facilitate a unique form of print transfer. Place a photocopy or laser print from your home printer face-down on another surface, then rub acetone on the back with a cotton bud, burnish it firmly, the ink from the original image will transfer to the destination surface. This form of print making is one to one, it can not be re-printed multiple times.