Need to clean a proof coin with PVC from flip from the 1970s what would be the best way? need some help
You can just let it air dry. Acetone will fully evaporate. If you wish to rinse, make sure distilled water of course, and air dry only.
I would say rinse it. If you let it evaporate whatever was on the coin might settle back on it. I’d rinse with distilled water.
If you are going to leave it outside of any flip or container, you can rinse with distilled water and leave it to air dry completely in the open for an hour or so. I prefer to rinse with acetone holding the coin between my fingers and collecting the acetone for disposal. Why? Acetone will carry any water out of the small recessed areas of the coin, also it evaporates clean if you rinse with it the acetone away from the coin. Rinsing with water and NOT completely drying it, can cause corrosion other than PVC induced. Jim
I believe once PVC has set in, the coin is damaged. If it's a common coin (inexpensive), replace it. BUT use it for seeing the results after cleaning with acetone. If it's an uncommon coin (higher priced), do the acetone thing and store it in a safe, inert holder.
Swish it around in acetone (the moving liquid will remove the PVC residue easier) then when you are done give it a FLOWING rinse with fresh acetone (hold the coin by the edges and pour fresh acetone over it, changing the position of your fingers at least once and repeat the rinse. That keep contaminated acetone from staying on the coin around your fingers.) to carry away any last traces of residue dissolved in the acetone that is on the coin. The acetone will then evaporate completely and cleanly off the coin very rapidly.
