Does MS70 harm coins?

Shot glass. I like the non-straight sides as it can expose more of the coin to the acetone (or xylene). I stick a saucer on top. If it's a bigger medal that won't fit then I have a couple porcelain bowls.

 

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I published a study of several cleaning agents in 2018. One of them was MS70. Here's what I wrote:

It isn’t an acid dip. According to the label, MS70 contains 2-butoxyethanol (CH3CH2CH2CH2OC2H4OH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) in concentrations that are unspecified. Other sources claim it also contains sodium gluconate (NaC6H11O7), a chelating (metal binding) agent. 2-butoxyethanol is a surfactant, so it functions as a wetting agent, allowing the KOH and sodium gluconate to interact with the surface of the coin. KOH is a strong alkali, and a major component of drain cleaners, so it can be presumed to act by attacking acids or oils; the haze must be an acidic or oily substance. Because the KOH turns the lipids in your skin to soap (no, I’m NOT kidding), it is not a good idea to get it on your skin. If you do, you will immediately feel your skin start to saponify (i.e., turn to soap). Obviously, you will need to rinse very thoroughly right away.

Should you use MS70 on copper? According to the label, it is safe to use on gold, silver, nickel, copper, bronze and brass. But is it safe, and if so, what does it do? According to the online forums, MS70 will turn copper blue or purple. Not to be deterred, I first tested it on bright red 2017 P and partially toned 1986 Lincoln cents. The new one came out very flashy and still red. OK, but that’s how it looked before. The coin that was partially toned was not changed, except that the toning was, indeed, bluer than it had been before; such a color change is characteristic of toned high-grade copper coins that have been degreased. A quick brushing with Blue Ribbon restored the more subdued color to the toning. When used on a fully brown early copper, the product had no effect other than to remove oil from the surface. Conclusion: once the original color is gone, MS70 will not bring it back, but at least the product does no immediate harm.

 

Somebody said they put a shot glass on a plate, then put a bowl upside-down over the glass, forming a little vapor chamber. That seemed like a good idea, too; a bit less likely to get knocked over, maybe?

 

Will Verdi-Care damage the coin like Jewel Luster if you are not too careful using it?

 

Okay, I'm reading that after a glass (or two) of wine and I had this vision of a shot glass UPSIDE DOWN on the plate and I'm all 'that's not what I said'. Then I read it again...it does seem more stable, but luckily my work station is in the basement and no pets or children in that area

 

I tried using xyline on a coin but I was bothered by the strong smell on the coin so I tried using acetone wash off the acetone and then rinsed off the coin with distilled water. When I turn the coin in the light it looks like there are stains on the coin. I tried rinsing off the coin with acetone and distilled water again but it still looks like there is a cloudy appearance with some white spots on the coin when I tilt it in the light.

 

Sometimes when you remove debris from a coin, (that is circulated)
you will be left with undesirable marks or stains that were hidden underneath,
and are now revealed.

 

Dear god. Just stop doing anything until you understand what you are doing. You need to learn the proper way. First you need to learn if it's even possible to help the coin.

Yes, great post.
Everyone needs to understand this. Not all coins can be helped. Leave them alone until you do understand.

 

Definitely a two like post.

 

Use fresh acetone and try again. If it is really bad the acetone will evaporate and leave the grime redeposited on the coin. You might have to rinse it a couple more times.

 

OK, acetone in shot glass...remove lid from suitable jar, place lid screw-threads up on a flat surface, screw jar onto lid creating your own personal vapor chamber!

 

Resoak the coin in fresh acetone. The second you remove it from the acetone, hold it vertically and rinse it with distilled water. The spots will disappear.

 

Here's what I wrote about VerdiCare in the same article:

Verdi-Care [Verdi-Chem, Cincinnati, OH] labels itself “a modern alternative to using oil and harsh solvents on coins.” The company’s FAQ includes the following: “VERDI-CARE™ utilizes a 2-stage system surface protection system [sic]. Closest to the surface, the ReAcT2™ ingredient forms a semi-permanent bond with metal. This layer provides heavy-duty, advanced corrosion protection and is only molecules [elsewhere in their literature it says one molecule] thick. It’s completely invisible and will last virtually forever. The second (upper) level is an advanced, water-soluble, surface-conditioning, polymeric layer that will repel atmospheric contaminants and enhance luster.” Unfortunately, ReAcT2 is proprietary, so we are not told what it is beyond that it forms a semi-permanent – whatever that means – bond with the metal and can only be removed with acids.

The company’s website shows “typical results” on one large cent and on a number of bronze, silver and nickel coins. It appears from the photos that the product sometimes lessens the appearance of corrosion, but other times does not. The coins are left with a look that I would call a cross between oiled and lacquered. Various online forums claim that it should NOT be used on copper coins. [A well-known EAC member] reports that it dissolves copper if left on for very long.

I confess to a personal aversion to anything called a “system.” Experience shows that all systems fail sooner or later. More seriously, it’s a very poor idea to put any-thing on a coin when you don’t know what it is, and you don’t ever want to put ANY acid on a copper coin for any reason. I would never put anything on a coin that has an unknown proprietary formula or that claims to form a semi-permanent bond with the metal, so I have never tried the product. You’re on your own, but my recommendation is to avoid it.

 

I don't like the xylene because the strong smell makes me sick. Is there anything that can be used in its place that would be just as effective at taking off Verdi-Care or anything else even if it takes a longer time to work? Is there any type of mask that would be effective when using it?

 

Unless all coins are stored in a total vacuum, that is what they are constantly doing, forming bonds with the metal. Maybe only one or two people can give a comprehensive composition of the air that surrounds their coins at any specific times, even if they are in slabs or protective holders.

I also have proof about the dissolving copper quote also. When Thad changed it from Verdi-gone to VerdiCare ( I seem to remember it being more than 4 years, I put some copper cents in a class chem container with some copper cents that had some corrosion. I dug around in my chem stuff and found it , still sealed, still liquid solution and still with the coins. I will post photo when I get a little time.I am really glad someone reminded me about that! Jim

 

Should something be worn over your hands when using xylene?

 

I really do not know why someone would want to remove the coating ( 1 or few molecules thick) on the coin. I have used it on many coins to PCGS and NGC and never a comment on it from them. It is more protective than a single layer of oxide that develops and stops , unlike oxides. But everyone must do what they believe best.

Nitrile gloves ( walmart, harbor fright, etc.) are good for xylene, but not acetone. Latex gloves for acetone

https://www.superiorglove.com/blog/guide-to-chemical-resistant-gloves