Removing nail polish from cams

I have a few different items that I have purchased used on MP that have others markings on it. Does anyone know if I can safely use nail polish remover on them? I use tape to mark my own gear but also dont want to ruin the integrity of the piece just to removed the previous owners markings.

sure

Isn't the nail polish on the metal only?

FrankPS wrote: Isn't the nail polish on the metal only?

In this case, it would be just on the trigger part of the cam. At least in the cams I just received 

why dont you just leave it and add tape if youre worried at all about it

David Pagel wrote:

In this case, it would be just on the trigger part of the cam. At least in the cams I just received 

I have no idea how it would affect plastic. I wouldn't hesitate to use nail polish remover on the metal parts.

Acetone (nail polish remover) eats plastic so yes, use it.  Or lemon juice and salt. 

Uz da nail polish remover.

I would just use a little sharp metal instrument to scrape or chip it off

Sam Skovgaard · 38 mins ago · ?
I would just use a little sharp metal instrument to scrape or chip it off

Always try mechanical means before you resort to chemical substances.

Try physically 'flaking' the polish off.

Start with A sharp point to pick at the edges, looking to 'flake' off the polish.
 then try a dry stiff brushing with a wire brush, or rubbing with a steel wool pad.

 Then try again using hot water & the sharp edge or point of something like a dental pick.

 If none of that works consider covering it with more polish use a different color like  black

If the nail polish is on metal, use acetone and a rag.  If its on plastic, you'll want to use something less aggressive like rubbing alcohol or even flux remover.

Some pics might help.

FrankPS wrote:

I have no idea how it would affect plastic. I wouldn't hesitate to use nail polish remover on the metal parts.

Nail polish remover comes in a plastic bottle. Just throwing that out there. 

Use nail polish remover, then rinse with water to get the extra off that remains after the paint is all gone. Trigger bars aren't structural. But being concerned about that trigger bar snapping (I guess) doesn't really warrant much more than rinsing a little acetone off when the paint is gone.

Or scrape it off with some kind of edge. That's what I would try. Clean and simple. And won't get close to risking a compromised trigger bar. 

Greg D wrote:

Nail polish remover comes in a plastic bottle. Just throwing that out there. 

Yes, but which type of plastic is it? One should know, before making such blanket statements. :)  (I just got these from Google and have no idea what the differences are)

• Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET)
• High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
• Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Polystyrene or Styrofoam (PS)

Seriously? Just scrape it off with a knife.

FrankPS wrote:

Yes, but which type of plastic is it? One should know, before making such blanket statements. :)  (I just got these from Google and have no idea what the differences are)

• Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETE or PET)
• High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
• Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
• Polypropylene (PP)
• Polystyrene or Styrofoam (PS)

So you used google to find out that there is more than one type of plastic but have no way to apply it to this conversation. You could have just looked in your recycle bin. 

Don't soak it but you can use nail polish remover aka acetone on a trigger. Lightly soak a cotton ball and wipe it down.

Greg D wrote:

Nail polish remover comes in a plastic bottle. Just throwing that out there. 

Not all plastics are the same - haven't we learned anything from Breaking Bad?

I don't know what kind of plastic the trigger is or how acetone will affect it, but if you ignore the nail polish and just start climbing it'll be gone in a season. 

Edit to add: There are non-acetone nail polish removers. I also have no idea what they might do to plastic, but they're terrible at removing nail polish so probably quite safe. 

Steel wool.

Try it on your nails first if you doubt me.

Em Cos wrote:

Not all plastics are the same - haven't we learned anything from Breaking Bad?

I don't know what kind of plastic the trigger is or how acetone will affect it, but if you ignore the nail polish and just start climbing it'll be gone in a season. 

Edit to add: There are non-acetone nail polish removers. I also have no idea what they might do to plastic, but they're terrible at removing nail polish so probably quite safe. 

Never watched the show nor do I don't get my education from a fictional tv series. 

But, we do know that plastics do behave differently to chemicals.  Acetone is benign to polypropylene and other plastics.  But, regardless of the type of plastic on the cam and the small amount used to clean off some nail polish will do next to no harm to a NON life saving component.  The potency of the acetone dissipates very quickly because of its volatility and will become benign in seconds.  

Its funny that this is even a thread.