does an acetone wash help protect a coin?

1907Quarter

and if yes, in what manner? prevents oxidation, clouding? what's the best way for it to dry?

cladking

It's most advantageous effect is to remove the contaminants which can accelerate
toning or tarnish. When caused by solids this toning is usually blotchy and unattrac-
tive.

Simple air drying or a rinse in 91% isopropyl alcohol is good for removing acetone.

1907Quarter

so after an acetone wash, how's an air dry followed by a blast or two of canned air!?

coinlieutenant

no need.. pure acetone will completely evaporate...

nwcs

Right, acetone will evaporate in less than a minute. Canned air will leave contaminants.

coinvac41

Is the acetone in question the kind from the local hardware store or nail polish remover or a super pure solution?

IrishMike

A word of caution only use it in a well ventilated area away from flames (put the cigarette out), preferably outside.

Shamika

Be careful. While acetone will evaporate quickly, the remaining bottled acetone will absorb a surprising amount of water (among other things) right out of the air.

Even if you buy 100% pure acetone, once it's opened the purity will drop leaving various residual films on any coin you rinse in the future. Whether or not these residual films do any damage is, however, unknown to me.

dorkkarl

<< <i>Canned air will leave contaminants. >>

what kind of canned are you using? the los angeles super-smoggers brand???

canned air is 100% safe for curating coins, & in fact, i use it on every coin that goes into my permanent collection. have for some 20 years now.

K S

nwcs

Karl, the canned air I've used is the same that is for blowing the dust off computers. When I tried it on some coins, it left a coppery look every time where the main part of the air was in contact with the coin.

eyoung429

would it hurt to put the coin in clean olive oil after it being dried and then blotting it with a cotton diaper? Or would this just be more trouble than worth?

Shamika

<< <i>would it hurt to put the coin in clean olive oil after it being dried and then blotting it with a cotton diaper? Or would this just be more trouble than worth? >>



I vote "more trouble than worth".

sliderider

Don't use nail polish remover. It has an acetone base, but also has other things added to it that could damage your coin or at best leave a dirty film on it. I have heard of people dipping their coins in rubbing alcohol, too but I don't know the reason behind it. Maybe to dry out oil from finger handling?

magikbilly

Hi,
what are looking to dip?


Best,
Billy

majorbigtime

I prefer coins that have not been exposed to any chemicals.

Conder101

<< <i>I prefer coins that have not been exposed to any chemicals >>


You must not have any coins then as they have ALL been exposed to chemicals of one type or another. From the chemical washing and burnishing agents used on the planchets, the oil film that coats the dies, and all of the various gases found in the air of the typical metropolitain area, plus any outgassing from the shipping materials. If you have circulated coins then you also have the oils, acids, and salts from everyones hands plus who knows what else.