e-z-est dilution question

coastaljerseyguy

Has anyone worked with diluting e-z-est in different %'s with distilled water to reduce the dipping effects. I have a key date Morgan with some sort of whitish gunk in the date, motto, dentils, etc. I soaked in 100% acetone for hours and it didn't do anything. The coin is a VF+, looks original, and has a nice leather brown patina that I do not want to strip away. Dipping a VF white kills a coin IMHO.

I've read in the past folks using a 50/50 solution, but has anyone done 10% or other reduced % that 'cleans' up the gunk but leaves the color intact ? There is too much in the dentils to use a toothpick or other means. I thought using a que-tip with this reduced strength dip might do the trick, but afraid of turning the date, motto and rims a whiter color. Not exactly sure what it is, like tissue paper melded in spots. Not too noticeable with the naked eye, but under a loupe and a digital photo it stands out.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Aercus

If it's not an oxidized metal ez est is not the right play. I would not dip it. Most likely it's some sort of residue. Acetone doesn't always do the trick. Try something a bit more hydrophobic like toluene (in an OPEN area and avoid the fumes!).

IkesT

MS70 (potassium hydroxide solution) is another option.

neildrobertson

E-Z-Est will not remove gunk well. It will actually preferentially remove color over gunk in many cases. Keep E-Z-Est away from your coin.

Trying a different solvent is probably the next best option. You may need to use some stirring to help dislodge stuff.

1630Boston

PCGS conservation is also an option
imho
boston

Aercus

@1630Boston said:
PCGS conservation is also an option
imho
boston

This can be a very good idea. Especially if you don't have a lot of experience in this area.

coastaljerseyguy

Thanks for suggestions. I will try and add a photo tomorrow for better description of the gunk on coin. It is too dark now and using the indoor lighting gives me a shadow on the coin from either the camera or my big head. I thought about MS70 or CoinServ solvent.

ricko

Be careful... going beyond acetone can lead to problems. As suggested above, PCGS conservation service is a good way to go.... Cheers, RickO

coastaljerseyguy

ok, here some photos taken in the sunlight. You can see the gunk when magnified. Since this 96-S is not that valuable of a coin in VF, don't think TPG conservation is an option. Stored in my LOC album. Not sure if its some cloth or maybe the lint material inside a leather wallet/satchel that is embedded in all the devices and crevices of the coin. Any suggestions greatly appreciated, even if leave it alone.

messydesk

The whitish gunk inside the digits, and to a lesser degree elsewhere, looks like leftover polishing compound of some sort that is still caked on the coin. I'd go after this with a rose thorn or cactus spine under a stereoscope. It'll take a while, but it'll look better.

davewesen

e-z-zest on a circulated coin will give you a cleaned coin. Try some other things, maybe paint thinner.

coastaljerseyguy

@messydesk said:
The whitish gunk inside the digits, and to a lesser degree elsewhere, looks like leftover polishing compound of some sort that is still caked on the coin. I'd go after this with a rose thorn or cactus spine under a stereoscope. It'll take a while, but it'll look better.

John,
Any liquid with the pick preferred, like paint thinner, to loosen up the polish?

messydesk

@coastaljerseyguy said:

@messydesk said:
The whitish gunk inside the digits, and to a lesser degree elsewhere, looks like leftover polishing compound of some sort that is still caked on the coin. I'd go after this with a rose thorn or cactus spine under a stereoscope. It'll take a while, but it'll look better.

John,
Any liquid with the pick preferred, like paint thinner, to loosen up the polish?

I would use unscented lamp oil to soften and lubricate things a bit. It'll also carry away stuff that comes loose. Acetone will wash off whatever residue is left behind.

coastaljerseyguy

@messydesk said:

@coastaljerseyguy said:

@messydesk said:
The whitish gunk inside the digits, and to a lesser degree elsewhere, looks like leftover polishing compound of some sort that is still caked on the coin. I'd go after this with a rose thorn or cactus spine under a stereoscope. It'll take a while, but it'll look better.

John,
Any liquid with the pick preferred, like paint thinner, to loosen up the polish?

I would use unscented lamp oil to soften and lubricate things a bit. It'll also carry away stuff that comes loose. Acetone will wash off whatever residue is left behind.

John,
Thanks for suggestion. Pure paraffin lamp oil. What I don't use I could use for my tiki-torches. Price is right also.

WAYNEAS

Home remedies can lead you down a dangerous path.
Let the professionals handle it. PCGS restoration is the way to go.
Wayne

coastaljerseyguy

@WAYNEAS said:
Home remedies can lead you down a dangerous path.
Let the professionals handle it. PCGS restoration is the way to go.
Wayne

Wayne,

Appreciate comments you and others have made about restoration and would entertain this option if this was a more valuable or sentimental coin, but this is an $75 coin I bot for $50 years ago. Restoration and grading, with shipping, would cost $40+, and I'd break out the coin anyway to be placed back in the album. I'd sell this one and use those funds to buy another coin but like this coin and it fits with my 92-96 Morgans.

I read about folks using olive oil or mineral oil to remove dirt, etc, on dirty coins, so lamp oil is no different, if not even a better solution if oils work. If there are any drawbacks or helpful hints on using oils to gently clean a dirty coin, feedback appreciated.

Jim

logger7

Silver dip is the wrong stuff on that problem; pleasing gun metal toning. A wood tooth pick, or similar method is a good option as others have suggested. "Conserv" is effective with crud as it is a non acidic dip, smells like turpentine; as others paint thinner can work.

PerryHall

@messydesk said:
The whitish gunk inside the digits, and to a lesser degree elsewhere, looks like leftover polishing compound of some sort that is still caked on the coin.

It looks like baking soda residue. Many years ago some collectors would make a paste of baking soda mixed with a little water and would rub this paste with their thumb in a circular motion on the surface of the coin to shine it up. It is not a recommended method of conserving a coin.

krueger

Use a mild dish cleanser soap palm olive or Dawn and warm water.
Should not affect the toning . Try on a few sample old dirty silver coins first
To convince yourself of effects.

DollarAfterDollar

I concur with the lamp oil and a very sharp thorn (or equivalent). The mild dish soap and warm water might work also but the thorn will still be required. Test it out first on a few junk coins til you get a feel for it.

Acetone bath afterwards is a must.

Do not use EZ- est. That stuff's killed more coins than it's saved.

lkeigwin

I don't agree with opinions that suggest eZest is evil. There are times when it is the right treatment. TPG's use it all the time for conservation.

But I agree it is wrong for this coin. If it were mine I'd do nothing to it. I see nothing offensive. But I see no harm following conservative advice here.
Lance.

coastaljerseyguy

Thanks all for you suggestions. Will post after result photos if I go the lamp oil route.