Probably been answered many times previously, but all of my acetone bottles also contain a bitter tasting ingredient called denatonium benzoate. However the label says “100 percent acetone”. is this what is used to clean gunk off of coins or is there a better acetone product?
It seems like the hardware-store acetone I've bought does not contain the bittering agent (but no, I haven't tasted it). You can't buy 100% anything. There will always be small amounts of contaminants. Having said that, I'd lean toward acetone that doesn't include the denatonium salts. Where did you buy it, and does it have a brand name?
Matt, it's acceptable because it's very volatile, and just think of the great job it does on fingernail polish. So yeah, we're cool with it.
@Kentucky I think it depends on where you buy it and what it is used for. AFAIK, there are different grades of chemicals. My acetone is medical grade.
I don't think it does that. They put it in to prevent you from swallowing, by making it intolerably bitter. 10 parts per million is enough to do the trick. Looking at the structure, I don't think I'd worry too much about it damaging coins, especially not at those low concentrations. Stand the coin on edge to let the acetone run off after the final rinse step, and I'll bet it would be impossible to detect the denatonium compound on the coin's surface afterward.
Who's we're PCGS ? Wondering? TY Curious as I sent a braided cent in that had a acetone bath came back cleaned ? never touched with a cloth?
To be more specific...we try to do things to "restore" coins rather than clean them. Acetone doesn't etch away at the metal on the coin...it's one one of the ways to try to reveal the original surface with out abrasion. Although the original surface is never original once it's aged. Sometimes using acetone or another method reveals a slightly more original surface that has been protected by the 'gunk'...so sometimes a little darker spot is more pleasing (and will still allow a coin to get graded rather than rejected for cleaning) than a spot of fresh surface that has obviously been cleaned... and by cleaned I mean restored
Thanks @eddiespin and @Kurisu I have some but I've never used it before. Is there a certain type of coin it works well on or just gunky ones?
Thanks for the acetone thread! Just reminded me I have some really cruddy coins soaking out in the garage!
It will only remove organic material under normal conditions. It will not remove corrosion, natural toning or darkening. Use it , take the coin by holding the rim and then allow the small amount of acetone on the surface to evaporate, air dry. Do not used where there is a flame either already on or can come on automatically such as a heater. It is very flammable. I use it outside. Jim
Excellent tips! Also...DON'T use nitrile or vinyl gloves, acetone will dissolve them. Most rubber gloves should be fine. It's not dangerous to touch acetone with bare skin briefly but know that it can cause over-drying of your skin as it will suck the moisture right out.
I'd just use it basically to remove any sticky or crusty stuff. Glass jar, tight lid, cover the coin, check it next day. If the solution is cloudy or discolored, it's working. Switch out with fresh acetone, keep repeating, until it comes up clear, then you're done. It won't get some stuff off, just be aware. And that's about the routine.
Did you own it since it was new? Do you see what I mean? Maybe it was already cleaned. Just a guess, IDK.
no it's a 1842 so I assume it's had a few owner's just was tarnished so bathed it and that the result? you maybe right someone cleaned it 100 years before?
