Acetone bath for Newbies
charlesf20
Posts: 383 ✭✭✭
Would it be wise to use a light rinse (mix?) on all new coins
going into a collection, even R&R the ones sent in cardboard 2X2's?
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Not something I would do. I use acetone only as a treatment to remove gunk. Acetone works admirably for that job.
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.-Albert Einstein
Some people do. I think it is overkill. But if it is high purity, used properly, it shouldn't hurt.
Yup, it's overkill and that's why I do it. I'm really thorough!
bob
It’s really not bad. I like the results and easy to use. 😉🦫🙀. I’m told silver only until I know a little more.
🎶 shout shout, let it all out 🎶
Ditto.
Even though some newbies probably deserve it I don't think it would be a good idea. They could get a rash or even worse. Don't put anybody into an acetone bath.
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Is it mixed with something or watered down?
Depends on what you buy
Water in acetone risks rinse spotting
🎶 shout shout, let it all out 🎶
@charlesf20 Only buy pure acetone if you are going to use it. Only use outdoors and away from any sparks or flames. Use a clear glass container or bowl with no plastic or rubber even in the lid. It will melt the plastic.
Successful BST with ad4400, Kccoin, lablover, pointfivezero, koynekwest, jwitten, coin22lover, HalfDimeDude, erwindoc, jyzskowsi, COINS MAKE CENTS, AlanSki, BryceM
An acetone soak cannot hurt metal surfaces. At all. But it can remove organic gunk and loose particles. Why not.
This is overkill
And pricey, if I recall correctly. Re-agent is laboratory grade. It’ll do the job 😉🦫🙀
🎶 shout shout, let it all out 🎶
I'm glad, that's exactly what the misses brought me home
100% acetone will not harm metals. It attacks/removes organics. I use it on new silver. Recommended by forum member (no longer with us) Russ to prevent milk spots. Seems effective. Cheers, RickO
It can't hurt. I rinse most of my raw new acquisitions in acetone, you never know what oils or residues are lingering unseen only to show up later as an etched fingerprint or pvc damage.
As important is that acetone gets dirty with all the stuff it dissolves or dislodges. Some of the debris falls to the bottom but some is in suspension. Change your acetone often, it's cheap. Peace Roy
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Please note that prolonged exposure is not a good idea for humans OR coins, particularly copper as there are mild acidic breakdown products that will have some tendency to oxidize the copper coin surface.
That having been said, for 20 years and more I routinely use a quick acetone "tamping" after rinse in ordinary water and mild detergent with mild rinse off after the detergent. What I do is use a high nap fresh white towel that I soak thoroughly in the pure acetone (well, Walmart pure) and then tamp the surface - NO abrasion or swiping moves. Because of the effect first mentioned, I then rinse with water, the mild detergent, water rinse and then tamp dry with a part of the towel that is dry.
Anyway, what each does with his coins is his or her business but please be careful with acetone or other solvents. I have used this on silver, gold and copper nickel but not on copper/brass. I would suggest if interested that readers experiment safely themselves with the effects on the copper plating of recent "zincolns" or coins with no special value.
And one final caveat: don't backwash used acetone into the container/receptacle as there will be dissolved compounds introduced into it that may redeposit on other coins in subsequent uses.
Well, just Love coins, period.
This recent post from Daniel seems relevant here:
Stay away from the mystery oil thing to
Overall the video is ok, but Daniel doesn't understand how acetone works. When he starts talking about acetone removing toning he is absolutely wrong. Acetone is a solvent that will remove many adhered organic materials such as dirt, organic residue, and adhesives. It won't touch toning or other things that have chemically reacted with the metal surface of the coin
There are a number of members on this forum who have strong chemistry backgrounds. I know of one that's a chemistry professor at a highly respected engineering university. These members have commented and left recommendations regarding the use of acetone. Search the archives for old threads. They offer so much more real, factual info than Daniel.
Yes, @Oldhoopster, totally agree. Was a bit of a mixed message with mixed results.
Tim (an old hoopster too)
There is a protective coating of oils on new coins when they come from the mint. You remove that and you expose the active properties of the metals.