I was reading a previous thread about acetone, thanks for starting it Bonedigger. Where can i get acetone,somebody mentioned a hardware store? Tell me if this is correct, It doesn't damage toning or eat away the metal? Does it change the appearance,luster,color? Can it be used on copper,nickel,silver? How is it used? Can anybody post some pix of coins after treatment. thanks for the help guys
acetone is also sold as "Afta" (brand anme) any hardware store. It is also the ingredient on nail polish remove, but that has other chemicals, and leaves a strong odor, which may or may not rinse off well. It should not damage the metals, altho I am not a chemist. Does not change the appearance, it just removes surface contaminants. good on any metal. Dip in the solution, let sit for a minute or two, rinse very well, pat dry-- do not rub. At least that is how I have done it, with no change to the coins.
There have been reports of problems with copper and acetone, but I've never had any, and I've never heard of problems with any other metal. The four commandments of acetone use are: Only use the pure stuff from a hardware store, paint store or home center and avoid the contaminants in nail polish remover and other products containing less than 100% acetone Always use it in an extremely well ventilated area Always use fresh distilled or deionized water for at least two rinses Never dry the coin by rubbing it.
I bought acetone from a local auto parts store, Advanced Auto. I would assume it would be available in any one of them. It should be located in the paint section.
Only if the fingerprint is fresh. If it has been there for very long at all then the acid from the fingerprint will have etched the metal and it is there forever. It should be noted that often it will appear as if the acetone removes a fingerprint, but in month or two it comes right back again.
Phoenix: Blow dry, assuming that the coin has already been carefuly rinsed, you may get spotting from the moisture since it may dry unevenly.
It is true that Acetone has been discussed many times on many forums. The reason is it basically safe for all metals. There was a web site about the use of Acetone on Copper coins if exposed to the Sun or very bright lighting. It stated the coins would be completely ruined. That was the usualy garbage type web site of no possible usefullness. I've taken a jar of Acetone, placed several denominations of coins in it, left it for days both in the Sun, Bright lights, dark rooms and at the end, nothing. Some of the coins appeared a little cleaner but basically nothing happened to the coins. After I rinsed in distilled water and blow dryed with a standard hair dryer on no heat setting. Then after a few weeks, I noticed still nothing happened to those coins. I am not sure anymore of the exact coins but think they were Copper from prior 82's, Copper post 82's, normal Nickel, Buffalo Nickel Liverty Head Dime, recent Quarter. The main thing to note is if you purchase Acetone from a paint department anywhere, it will be in a metal can. These cans are coated on the insides for the protection of the solutions inside the cans as well as making them leak proof. Acetone is a extreamely great solution to disolve many things and eventually may disolve some of the inner coating of the can. This can be tested easily. Take a very clean, clear dish or cup of jar. Place a small amount of the Acetone in it and allow to evaporate. If there is any residue at all, discard this Acetone as contaminated. Usually Acetone used in labratories comes in glass containers so as to keep it less contaminated. Only use the purest Acetone when attempting to dip a coin in that solution. It may help to rinse with distilled water also and blow dry to get rid of any possible left over moisture but only with the dryer on cool settings. Heat is not real great on Copper. It increases Oxydation. Again, Acetone can be purchased at almost any place that sells paint. Walmart, Kmart, HomeDepot, Menards, Ace hardware, etc.
