Does acetone dissolve fingernail polish (a polymer)?

1 Answer
Oct 31, 2016

Usually it does so.

Explanation:

Nail polish remover is acetone to a first approximation. When it is formulated the manufacturers might add some sweet smelling oil to make it a bit stickier (and also perhaps to make it smell nice, and be softer on the hands).

My sister used to use tooth paste as a substitute, and she swore it worked. Tooth paste is certainly a mild, abrasive cleaner, and it would be softer on the hands than acetone.