Should I be worry of the smell of acetone?

Sweet OP-coin, Herberto ... I love the cool green patina (I'd keep it!!)

Ummm, but I don't understand the "smell" problem? ... I agree that re-washing it in acetone and then distilled water might get rid of any old perfumy residue ...

=> good luck (it's a sweet Byzantine addition)

 

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yes, could you be possibly smelling your own breath, please get a diabetic test asp as acetone on the breath is a sign of certain illnesses, however do not be alarmed as you can be correctly diagnosed by a small blood test, sincerely hope I am wrong.

 

I am used to using "acetone" for my other hobby. It worked really well to remove oils/grease/stains from male butterfly wings/bodies! Not a good thing for coins. This male ornithoptera victoriae was completely stained from body oils/ dipped him in acetone/voila! perfect colours...

 

You are correct. That is step #1 that most ancient coin collectors know about and many use.

 

Just for clarification the acetone smell did not bother me at all. Nor did the green or brown patina/corrosion. I was merely worry whether the applied acetone would damage that coin or not.

Apparently it does not, so I will leave it as it is.

 

Many different "stories" have some worth. It's probably best to let them go in one ear and out the other UNTIL you have done some experimentation...shall we say, with different hot sauces.

 

Now you have sentenced a moth to a painful death as I test you statement. I just can't believe about the "wing powder." So say it is true.

 

Actually, it is a birdwing butterfly. No, you do not use acetone to kill it, its used to de-grease a dead specimen. You see sometimes the oils from male abdomen will stain the wings. All of my specimens were bought either dead "mounted" or papered...means I set the specimen. I have no idea how they are killed.

 

They were forced to read some of these threads!!! They wanted to die

 

As a kid, we used turpentine on a klenex held to their face to kill them before mounting. I wish to discover the effect acetone has on "wing powder " that comes off with just a touch!

 

Well, first time I tried it....I was a bit worried. Anyway, I had the O.Victoriae male from photo, looked awfull, so oil stained that the wing surfaces were black. Nothing to loose, so I placed specimen in a "bath" of acetone, at this time the acetone was transparent. A day later, the butterfly + the acetone liquid were brownish black. I removed the butterfly, remounted it on spreading board/ secured everything, 12 hours later, after drying, I checked the specimen. A miracle! The butterfly had its full brilliant colour back. Upon close examination, all the scales were intact! It worked!

 

Damn...That's good stuff. Think I'll try it on my wife. How long do you recommend I soak her?

 

I had never thought about that one!

 

Ahahaha, I'm pretty sure that you mixed-up those two things my friend (acetone is fine for coins ... sure, maybe you shouldn't use it on MS-coins that shouldn't ever be cleaned by any means, but it is awesome for safely cleaning grease and goop off of typical ol' dirty coins) ..... ummm, but butterflies hate acetone (acetone is bad for living things, my friend)

One time at band-camp ...

 

But....they are dead already. Acetone turns an ulgy greased up butterfly back to its perfect coloration. Its a great de-greaser!

 

til she stops struggling...

 

this thread went sideways quickly...
now the poor bloke thinks he has a serious illness.

 

Wow, glad I checked back on this thread.

Very nice specimens Panzerman.

John

 

Thanks, beautifull hobby.