Using acetone

Can Methylene Chloride be purchased by the public ?

 

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Sure, it's available on Amazon. Just beware, that stuff seems quite a bit nastier than acetone. And I have absolutely no idea how it interacts with coins.

It is also *significantly* more expensive than acetone.

 

I would read the MDS (Material Data Sheet) very carefully. If you don't understand what you are reading do not proceed.

 

And don't smoke while using it...

 

It is more inert to coins than Acetone. I saw some in the hardware section at Walmart.

 

Acetone, right? Methylene chloride is not flammable unless you push it. Like diesel fuel.

 

https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/ep...ene-chloride-paint-removers-protecting-public

 

Lmao

 

I think I'll stick with acetone. So many of you have experience already so I think that's the way to go. But is there a problem with using it on copper coins? I have a significant number of early cents that I may want to use acetone on.

 

Are your cents circulated? If so, they will have absolutely no problem. Some people claim that acetone affects copper, but I'm not convinced. I know that I have rinsed countless Lincoln cents in acetone, with no ill effect.

 

Thanks for that. I have enough other coins that could likely benefit from acetone, so maybe I will have both on hand just to be safe. I do have a large number of Lincolns in the old Whitman folders that may need treatment, and others that are loose in a jar. I'm talking date ranges from 1900-1960s that may need something, or I could just leave well enough alone.

 

I would discourage the plastic cap on the glass bowl. For short periods no lid is needed. Long term, the acetone vapors will dissolve the underside of the lid resulting in plastic goop drip puddling down into the mix.

 

I want to thank everyone who has chimed in with so many tips! My wife says she sometimes has to draw me a picture for some things, and you all have certainly done that for me. I have learned so much from everyone here.

 

That's the stuff I have at the house because I am a pro-painter.

 

Meth Chloride IS 'nastier' than many chems. It will burn the back-side of your fingers, IN SHORT ORDER.

And it can be had from all the DIY stores - look for paint stripper .......

 

I would AVOID Methylene Chloride at all costs. It is not safe unless you have a full face respirator, exceptional ventilation and it can penetrate latex, nitrile and most gloves. It can cause harm and death with as little as 6 ozs being used.

 

You get lucky with a few coins - a little 'cleaning', and you might get confident that you can clean some OTHERS amidst your collection, and do a $big boo-boo.

I did it with some family heirloom Silver long ago, and then went after some Kennedys with the polish. I shouldn't have done that, but, fortunately, they were only $3 - $4 pieces...

Remember ; 1st rule of coins / collections is 'DON'T CLEAN COINS'. .........

 

Thank you for a very informative post.