Bought some acetone yesterday

I've got a few silver coins with PVC gunk all over them that I need to clean up, in addition to some larger, silver, proof-like world coins that are wicked hazy and milky, and could benefit from the dip, IMO.

Can someone point me to the thread about dipping that was up a while ago? Just not sure how long I should swirl them around in the acetone.

And yes, I've got solvent resistant gloves and distilled water on hand, and I'll be air drying them and putting them into non-killer SaFlips!

 

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And yes, I've got solvent resistant gloves and distilled water on hand, and I'll be air drying them and putting them into non-killer SaFlips!

Don't forget, acetone is very flamable, and noxious. Might want to do this outside, or in the garage, with the door open.

 

Well, I WAS going to do this in my bathroom with a bunch of candles, but I guess your way does sound a little safer.

But seriously, this container does have about a billion warnings on it. Even in a well-lit, well-ventilated, flame-free workspace, I'm still a little worried about using this stuff.

 

Jhonn,

Before you get started with the acetone you might consider this.

I bought "coin" dip solvent that is sold for the expressive use to clean coins. I learned the hard way how to use this solvent/cleaner and if you follow these steps I guaranty you will be successful at removing the milky haze you've described. I have cleaned many of my proof coins that were purchased with this problem and all of them are still in wonderful condition with no sign of having been dipped. Here is the technique:

1. Use plastic coin clamp to hold the coin. These can be purchased online or at most coin shops.
2. Be at you kitchen sink with a clean soft cotton towel and the cold water running mildly.
3. Have the coin dip jar next to the sink. Open the jar.
4. Dip the coin and agitate the coin back and forth to the count of three.
5. Immediately place the coin under the cold running water and turn it over from side to side for about a minute.
6. It is important to rinse the coin well to remove all dip solvent.
7. Lay coin on dry towel and pat dry. Do not rub coin.
8. You should now notice that the haze has been removed.

Very important points to know about this process.

1. This solvent will ruin your coins if you leave it in the dip too long.
2. This solvent will ruin you coins if you do not remove the solvent after dipping.
3. Repeating the process over and over is the same as dipping too long or not rinsing well.

Does not work on copper coins.

What ever you decide to do, good luck.

Allen

 

ive soaked a walker in acetone to no ill effects. came out nice and clean too.

i usually put it in a container with a lid to let it soak and then swirl gently so as to not let the coin slide around. that way the fumes dont funk up the room you're working in. then i rinse and pat oh so gently with a soft cotton towel, just let the towel do its thing and dont rub.

of course i dont think acetone is the same as the solvent the person above me is talking about so i dont think leaving silver coins in it for long periods of time will hurt them. it hasnt hurt mine.

 

Walter and Smoke, thanks for the advice. I think I'm going to start by swirling it in a dish of the acetone for about 3 counts (like Walter suggested), and then pour the distilled water over it. I have the gloves, but I think I might try to find a pair of tongs before I do this in order to help with the rinsing part.

Any more advice is of course welcome, doesn't hurt to have as much as possible. :smile

 

My advice would be (1) don't do it until the weather permits you to conduct the process outside, (2) don't do it alone, and finally (3) keep in mind that this is an inherently dangerous process where you could get hurt in several ways.

 

When I dip a coin I use run of the mill nail polish remover. It contains acetone but at a safer level.

Always rinse the coin with cool water or the coin will appear hazy. You can over dip a coin or dip it to many times. You see this alot with SAEs in the 80s and early 90s.

 

I would avoid nail polish remover. If you are going to do this, do it right and make very sure you have pure acetone.

 

Plus don't have any clear drinks around. Humans don't have saving throws against Acetone.

 

i would avoid using fingernail polish remover simply because it contains other chemicals and you dont know how they'll react with the coins. stick with pure acetone.

 

What do you folks think of this technique for silver coins. Boy, I'm going to stir up some "stuff".

http://www.pcgs.com/articles/article616.chtml

I have tried it and the ammonia works wonders! Now you have to keep in mind that I am dealing with coins that were buried in 1939. Many of them had green stuff all over them and were worthless as far as eye appeal. After the ammonia dip...amazing!!!!

 

As already stated, do not use fingernail polish remover.
There are other contaminates in it.

DO NOT "swirl" the coin in a dish.
This can still scratch the coin against the dish.

DO NOT rinse under running water from the faucet.
Tap-water contains many contaminates that will deposit themselves on the newly cleaned coin surface.
Only rinse with distilled water.

 

Is well water OK? What will water other than distilled do?

 

Hope your kidding there. Well water may contain almost anything on or in Earth. Never use that.
Do NOT use nail polish remover on coins. Do not use tap water on coins. Do not use anything you do not know what is the total amount of ingredients on coins. Note on a bottle of nail polish the numerous other ingredients and the exact amounts and not stipulated. This is due to proprietary informaion so others can not copy thier product.
The use of Acetone has been documented on this and many other coin forums. It is very dangerous if not used in a safe and secure invironment. As already noted best to use it outdoors.
With it's use attempt to use only glass items such as a glass dish, glass utensils to pick up the coins. You can put any coin in Actone for a few minutes to days or even weeks. It will not effect the metal. It is an Organic type compound and a coin is not organic so not much effect. It will take off anything that is not now part of the coins.
I suggest you do a search on this and other coin forums on the proper usage of any such chemicals.
Just a tip, prior to the usage of Acetone, place a small amount on a clean, glass dish and allow to evaporate. If there is any residue at all your Acetone has become contaminated and should not be used on coins. This happens if the container is a metalic container and the inner lining of that container had been compromised with a small inperfection.

 

I further suggest you go to the top of this page and where it says search, type in Acetone. You'll get 295 topics to choose from.

 

Just saw all the other responses to this thread, thanks for all the advice. How quickly does acetone evaporate? Looks like I'll have to scrounge around for a glass jar as well.

I'll certainly be doing this outside now. I still have to wait for my SaFlips to come in the mail before I do this, though, so it'll probably be another week or so.

 

Whatever one else said man. I wish you the best of luck, and let us know the results! :thumb:

Phoenix

 

Yah, I plan on taking some before and after photos. My first subject will be a Canadian silver dollar I recently purchased. It's MS, but very milky and hazy...hopefully I can make it BU again and give it some eye appeal.