Sorry for bringing up this topic again but I'm wondering what is the proper method of doing an acetone bath on coins? What I normally do is do an acetone bath and then soak in distilled water for a few hours then use a heat gun to dry each coin but it takes a lot more time to do it this way, I've read about people trying different methods online, one group saying do the first acetone bath and a second rinse to remove redeposited particles, others saying do the first acetone bath and then soak in distilled water to remove the particles since acetone doesn't remove inorganic substances. Should I use distilled water afterwards or skip this step and just rinse with acetone a second time?
I am no coin expert, just a collector. So I would be interested in any responses. For the vast majority of coins I do nothing other than enjoy them. For a few super rough ones I have heated them in an oven and then applied Renwax.. this seems to bring out some detail in very rough, dry-like patina (*uncleaned) coins. But that is only me... I would be interested in your process.. plus why you are doing it.. and what results you may be are getting? I have never used acetone..? I assume we are only talking silver coins here? Some clarification would be nice..
Thanks, I know people periodically use acetone because it is a very safe process for your coins to remove the build up of oils, dirt and other particles that are foreign to the metal surface of the coin. Acetone works quickly and disolves quickly so it's easy to use. It also helps remove moisture from a coin which is good. Pure acetone that comes in a metal tin is what I use, you have to make sure that even though something might advertise "Pure Acetone" on the label, there might be other chemicals mexed in there for smell ect., check the back label too. Some Nail Polish remover brands that advertise "Pure Acetone" might have those extra chemicals and it's not a great thing when you dip your coin in that stuff. I too bake my coins with a heat gun and then apply rennesaince wax, but only on bronze coins because I take no chances with those. Heat will remove the moisture before waxing, this usually suspends the bronze disease process if it is hiding somewhere on the coin.
I mean, you could just cycle water and acetone until you're happy with the result. It's probably best to end with acetone, as it helps remove the moisture from any voids.
I have used acetone in the past to remove "yucky" PVC residue that made the coins sticky. What I did back then was to dip the coin in acetone and then gently dab it with a Q-tip. All that grease came off quite nicely and more than a decade later there was no apparent change or damage to any coin I did this to. I did not have bronze disease, only PVC residue. The acetone is so volatile , it completely evaporates. This worked on both bronze and silver.
