BIOX Experiments #1

You may remember that I was asked if I would do some experiments with BIOX (tm) solution cleaner/verdigris remover/conservation fluid after my previous experiments with Verdigone (tm).

Thanks to the supplier Rasiel Suarez of Dirty Old Coins, I received a replacement order after my first one was damaged in the postal service. The directions were very brief and somewhat hazy, so I decided to work up a series of experiments which I will post as they go.

First, however, I would like posters to look at the below 5 coins and determine if any are abnormal as far as color is concerned. I tried to carefully color balance the white paper they are on. Just mention any you would not consider for yourself due to possible cleaning or recoloring. the bottom 2 are circulated,,,,and one is steel

Thanks

Jim




As a preliminary trial, I used an ancient I had around and used the BIOX on it. I had no dilution direction, so I added 5 drops to 5 ml of distilled water, about a 20% solution. Here is the original coin before 8 hrs of treatment.



and here is the result.



At least I can see some results, but stopped it at this point until I have some experience to base experiments on. I may have overshot the time.

Jim

 

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How about a Lincoln cent with some verdigris?

Let the damage begin!

 

Just had to check the MSDS, man oh man, it's HORRIBLE from a regulatory standpoint. It meets NONE of the criteria for the US or EU compliance. To state an acidic fluid with a pH of 2.2 is non-hazardous is complete hogwash. I guarantee you it's corrosive to both eyes and skin. :bigeyes:

 

Is that a before and after of the Maximinus II?

 

The instructions on the BIOX bottle say " Apply BIOX to cover,Leave in solution for 1 to 8. Warming enhances its effectiveness. Leftover maybe reused. Do NOT allow to freeze".

It would have been nice to indicate if the 1-8 was seconds,, minutes, hours , days,etc. Also on the ancient, I noticed the solution took on some of the green color, so I wouldn't reuse it, but I am just trying to get acquainted with it. I used Verdigone in quite a few experiments before got complete faith in its abilities.

If you have some appropriate lincolns where 2 are almost the same, I can later run a comparison between Verdigone and Biox.

Jim

 

Yes, it is a before and after.

It says it is safe and non-toxic, made by Conservation Resources UK, Ltd.

Jim

 

Wish I did, it would take me a long time to dig through my copper Memorial bucket....I don't have the time. I'd love to see a side-by-side comparison! At that pH, I'm confident VERDI-GONE™ would win hands down. BIOX is going to shred the mint luster on these coins.

 

Hey, I just noticed...you're going to kill some 09D's? Ahhhhhhh...what a shame.

 

Thad, I know! I am going to dig out some that are close. By the way , do the color of the coins, including the 2009 D look OK? I have noticed some 2009D are almost pink and others are starting to tone darker.

Jim

 

Why not just buy some muratic acid?

 

Muriatic acid doesn't react the same with the copper. Here is another before and after, but in this case, less than a minute in the 20% solution. Under the microscope, the light came out a little different, but if you look at the photo in post #1, this is a close up of lincoln #2. I highlighted a distinctive mark. The original was toned, with some yellow,orange , and blue and I was curious as to effect on it. Again, just playing with the solution, but I do like this action. Do look at the first post.



Jim

 

Just realized that in regards to the mark, this is an example of toning tending to cover marks.

Jim

 

Hard to tell from the photo but it looks like the older coppers fared better. A before picture would have been helpful. The steelie and 2009s look pretty junkie. Just an opinion.

 

It's been a long nite. I have been putting out a fire on the PCGS boards concerning Verdigone (tm) and a slanderous thread........

thread here:

http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=26&threadid=719854

Keep us posted Jim, I would really like to see how the Biox reacts as compared to the VerdiGone ( tm)

 

depends on the coin some coins get fixed in 5 seconds others take a lot longer

 

biox needs to go neat on the coin - unless there is a very mild case of verdi. also u dont dip the whole coin in biox just the areas affected then a quick dip in acetone and u r done.

 

for all the quarternary alloy coins biox does nothing to the mint luster, for copper i never tried unc. but remember u do not want to leave a coin in biox for a few days the results can be most unpleasant

 

if the coin is turning pink it has been over exposed to biox that is another danger with this liquid. think of it as burning ur handcuffs u do it long enough it will burn ur skin instead

 

biox not only removes verdigris it will remove patina as well - in that sense verdi gone is better but if ur also looking to remove dirt and rust along with verdi on the same coin biox does it