Having a degree in Chemistry, I do like my solvents.
If you can't be ars3d waiting for someone to send you an ebay purchase, an alternative is a hairdressing / beauty supply shop. Generally acetone is available by the litre which generally keeps you going for a while.
As has been pointed out, acetone is very flamable, but really no more risky than say, petrol or methylated spirits. If you have a lockable cupboard in the garage then keep it there with the lid properly screwed on.
If you soak a rag with it, after use, you will notice your fingers look very dry, it has a tendency to strip the natural oils out of the skin, so try and avoid doing that too much and consider a putting lotion on your hands after.
It is very good for removing things like epoxies such as the chemical metals, but if you are using solvents for removing residues, bear in mind that there are essentially two types. Polar and non-polar solvents. acetone is polar. The residue needs to be soluble in the solvent you are using, and ideally you should choose the weakest solvent that does the job. Acetone is in the same class as alcohols like IPA 'Iso Propyl Alcohol' / 'rubbing alcohol' or methylated spirits. Try using IPA before using Acetone as the latter has a nasty habit of removing more than you expect such as paint work of dissolving plastic, it is obviously fine on glass (uncoated) or metals. If you are removing something like a sticky label, try WD40, then White Spirits, these and other petrolreum distillates fall into the non-polar class, the stronger of these are the light paint thinners. If you find you just have a gunge you are pushing around, use the other type of solvent, it should help. If you aren't touchng the residue move up the scale. But do test the solvent where it won't show.
There are some good dry-cleaning solvents off the shelf which are also quite handy. Usually these are spot-off for removing tar etc
A rather rough guide to the strength of a solvent is how quickly it evaporates. The faster it evaporates, then generally the stronger it is.
And then there are ethers, only for the most stupid. very volatile, highly flammable a non polar solvent that evaporates so quickly it makes it hard to use. The vapour has a tendency to drop to the floor or into hollows, and will ignite from a spark in a potentially big fireball. If you really must and things like petrol haven't worked, then a good source is Bradex Easy Start by Holts from an auto spares place. Use only in a well ventilated place.
Remember, when trying to remove some thing like a label, have you tried water, it is a polar solvent, but effectively the weakest and definitely the safest. Many glues are water soluble and you might be pleasantly surprised.
The usual caveat, if you do not feel comfortable using solvents, don't, and if you do please take care.
Not entirely relevant, but hopefully useful to someone.
