I did three successive Acetone dips and the coins are still sticky!!!

tsacch

I got a cool set given to me and its in a PVC holder. I removed them all and did three successive dips in seperate glasses of Acetone.....dipped each coin about ten times in and out of the stuff and then into the next bowl and then the next bowl......each coin for about ten dips in and out.

It definetly improved the look of all the coins and they are not so green tinged now, much brighter and cleaner, but they are sticky to the touch. Should I soak them for a lenth of time????? Will MS70 or e-Zest be any better? Or would that be wasting my time? Stick to the acetone?



The green tinged 1931-S

post dipping in acetone.

The close up of the cruddy stuff inbetween the letters

The vinyl page in all its beauty


Tom

Russ

<< <i>Will MS70 or e-Zest be any better? >>



Not for PVC. Sometimes it takes a lengthy soak in acetone to completely remove PVC. Time varies depending on how contaminated the coins are.

Russ, NCNE

FC57Coins

I agree with Russ - sounds like you need to leave the coins in acetone for a while. Make sure you cover the container so that the acetone doesn't evaporate away in no time. Not to mention the fact that the fumes are volatile and they stiink

ldhair

tsacch

Well, judging by the pics?????????how long is long enough...........or just shup up and be patient on my end? whats been the experience in the past?? A few hours? Days?

I am impatient arent I?

tom

FC57Coins

A day ought to do it.

tsacch

The set is dated 1995, so its safe to assumes its been at least ten + or - years in the PVC pages.

thanks guys.

Barry

This might be too basic a question, but you are using high grade pure acetone and not something like nail polish remover?

tsacch

100% pure acetone from Ace Hardware and Supply. I will try it overnight tonight and see what happens.....maybe even go for a day or the whole weekend.

At this point the coins have picked a a shine...and no rubbing, so I am assuming these were polished before they were put in the sets.....further diminishing their value......oh well, free coin set, cant be that bad after all.

I will keep everyone informed and update pics.

tom

BigD5

Use the high grade acetone, and don't be afraid to very lightly swab the surface of those buffalo nickels with a Q-tip soaked in the acetone. Emphasis on "lightly" and "soaked".

You'll know if the pvc is still on the coin by the color of the Q-tip.

Please note that this will be quite ok iwth circulated buffalo nickels and not necessarily ok with proof or higher mint state coins.

Hedger

AndI hope you're not putting them back into that PCV folder as the acetone on the coins will deteriorate the plastic.

au58

Since these coins are circulated, try putting them one at a time in the bottom of a small pyrex dish or beaker and covering with about one-half inch of acetone. Swish the dish around with enough force to circulate the acetone but not enough to move the coin. The "washing" action should serve to carry the PVC away from the coin. If its really bad, you can see the PVC being removed from the coin.

If you do decide to "soak" overnight, put enough acetone in the dish to prevent complete evaporation. If it does evaporate, the coin will be covered with PVC. Even if it doesn't evaporate, the acetone that remains will be laden with PVC that may settle on the coin. This is why I prefer the "washing" method.

tsacch

Ok, been soaking for a half hour and am resisting the temptation to rub the q-tip on the coins surface....I will go with a straight soak and see what happens.....the morning if for q-tips...........besides, I cant find any now and my wife isnt home.

Tom

tsacch

I will do rinses on each coin after they soak a while and give the acetone a chance to soften up the PVC.

I wont put them back in the holder, but will save it for posterity.......i think the acetone would be long evaporated before it could affect the PVC pages.....I would have to put them back in wet to do any damage.

I think

Tom

Prethen

Can I use the acetone soak technique on some proof Franklins that have been in PVC holders for about 20 years now?

robertpr

<< <i>Can I use the acetone soak technique on some proof Franklins that have been in PVC holders for about 20 years now? >>



YES

My method is to use a canning jar. Just put in some Acetone, coin, cover. I usually go overnight with it just to be sure, then take it out in the morning. Usually you can see the crud floating in the acetone afterward. Be sure not to use a plastic container, or one that cannot be covered airtight. Acetone evaporates very quickly. Once you remove the coin, in fact, you can literally watch the coin dry up within a few seconds.

Wanna have some fun? Cut that PVC page up into pieces and throw it in the used acetone after the coin is out of it.

tsacch

I have used acetone on proofs before with no problems with the sequence i have mentioned....but if its damaged the surface you will then see the damage.

robertpr

<< <i>I have used acetone on proofs before with no problems with the sequence i have mentioned....but if its damaged the surface you will then see the damage. >>



Just to clarify what tsacch has said, if the PVC has damaged the surface, you will see the damage once the PVC is removed. The acetone will not damage the surface

100proof1957

Make sure you have a non reactive vessel !

Glass,otherwise you have a problem

Coppernicus

Much good advice above - One caution not mentioned: acetone fumes are heavier than air so tend to "crawl" over the table top, then sink to the floor. Bad news for pets! Also, extremely flammable - I use it only in the garage with the door open until I have sealed the container. A glass canning jar (someone already mentioned) works great!

Mike