Proper use of E Z EST

JRocco · February 25, 2005 6:58AM

I have never use this before but I was thinking of trying to clean up some silver proofs I have collected thru the years that are just not very attractive. After having done a search, I would like to ask this question to some of you guys who have handled this stuff with some success. I believe I remember Russ saying that a 5 second dip will stabilize a coin before submitting it for slabbing, how about trying to clean up the fields of a proof coin? Any opinions are welcome and appreciated as well as any tips or warnings. Thanks in advance guys.

lordmarcovan · February 25, 2005 7:24AM

To get haze off a proof, I would do a fast dip and then quickly rinse in clean cold water (maybe bottled water, to lessen the chance of some trace substance like sulfur causing any harm). Lay the coin on a paper towel to dry, and then turn it over, so that the moisture is absorbed from both sides. In my (limited) experience, proof coins dip and come clean pretty well, but you must be very careful not to damage their delicate fields. Usually folks would say "dab, don't rub", in reference to drying off a dipped coin, but with proofs, you probably don't even wanna take a chance on dabbing. Just lay the coin on the paper towel and then turn it over.

If I have a proof coin with just one or two milk spots, then what I'll often do is a localized treatment with EZ-Est (Jeweluster), rather than complete immersion. I just take a Q-tip, dip it in water and then the Jeweluster, so I have slightly diluted dip solution on the Q-tip. I then gently swab the affected areas and rinse the coin as above.

lordmarcovan · February 25, 2005 7:27AM

BTW, I don't even do a 5-second dip. In and out. One quick dunk. If I am working on a non-proof coin with somewhat heavier toning or spots that I wanna remove, I first work on the affected areas with a Q-tip and full strength Jeweluster (EZ-Est). Then I dip the whole coin.

cointagious · February 25, 2005 7:33AM

For hazy modern proofs, I suggest MS70. Acid is overkill.

clackamas · February 25, 2005 7:41AM

<< For hazy modern proofs, I suggest MS70. Acid is overkill. >>

I agree.

Also Ezest is not a stabilizer, Acetone is a good stabilizer if that is all you want to do.

lordmarcovan · February 25, 2005 8:17AM

MS70 isn't acid?

I've never used it.

Murphy · February 25, 2005 8:26AM

Anybody ever use Dip-It on your silver proofs to remove haze? I use Dip-It 1st, Goo-Gone 2nd, then wash thoroughly with Dial handsoap. I dry with compressed air (Office Depot - Cleaning Duster - 10oz. Can) and finish drying with a hairdryer. I've had nothing but great results with this method that is copied from Russ, btw.

I think Acetone or Dip-It would be your best bet on Silver coins. I've never used Acetone, but hear, quite frequently btw, that it is good.

Wouldn't EZ-Est be best used on Copper coins? I've never used it before.

clackamas · February 25, 2005 9:06AM

<< MS70 isn't acid?
I've never used it. >>

It is some type of organic solvent, it will dissolve your hands but not from an acidic reaction.

<< Wouldn't EZ-Est be best used on Copper coins? I've never used it before. >>

No do not do it. Ezest, aside of being an acid will chemically react with copper. You will end up with a pink coin.

cointagious · February 25, 2005 9:11AM

<< << MS70 isn't acid?
I've never used it. >>

It is some type of organic solvent, it will dissolve your hands but not from an acidic reaction. >>

MS70 is a surficant - a super soap. Fine for silver, gold & nickel but never to be used on copper.

nwcs · February 25, 2005 9:15AM

MS70 is a very strong soap.

wvinchic · February 25, 2005 11:08AM

What does MS70 do to copper?

Stacy

F117ASR · February 25, 2005 2:20PM

<< I use Dip-It 1st, Goo-Gone 2nd, then wash thoroughly with Dial handsoap. I dry with compressed air (Office Depot - Cleaning Duster - 10oz. Can) and finish drying with a hairdryer. >>

You're just asking for it when you do something like that. I would imagine too many accidents could happen

Cam40 · February 25, 2005 2:38PM

ms70 makes copper turn blue.

kenoshapete · February 25, 2005 8:25PM

Gentlemen,

I have to ask the question (and it is probably a stupid one), but isn't dipping a coin still considered cleaning a coin? My thoughts then go into the ethical vein of this by thinking "okay, the coin should then be listed as cleaned, rather than not" after dipping.

Can ya'll please educate me with your thoughts on this?

Thanks,
Pete

nwcs · February 25, 2005 9:39PM

Well, that issue has been raised over and over. To some dipping is considered cleaning under all circumstances. To others, proper dipping using the proper coins is considered just fine (even if technically cleaning) and improper dipping considered bad. I am of the second opinion.

XpipedreamR · February 25, 2005 10:00PM

What do you guys hold the coin with when you're dipping?

nwcs · February 25, 2005 10:09PM

Latex gloves.

kenoshapete · February 26, 2005 1:39AM

NWCS,

Fair enough, just trying to see what most others think. By the way, when you use the gloves (and I'm assuming of course that you hold the coin by the edges) does the part that you're holding look differently when you're done? -- Since it doesn't get any of the dipping stuff on that part of the coin, or do you rotate it kind of so that all of the edges get the dipping stuff on it?

Pete

Russ · February 26, 2005 1:51AM

<< Anybody ever use Dip-It on your silver proofs to remove haze? I use Dip-It 1st, Goo-Gone 2nd, then wash thoroughly with Dial handsoap. I dry with compressed air (Office Depot - Cleaning Duster - 10oz. Can) and finish drying with a hairdryer. I've had nothing but great results with this method that is copied from Russ, btw. >>

I'd just like to note that the only part of that copied from me is the compressed air and hair dryer. I don't use Dip-It, Goo-Gone or handsoap.

<< <>

You're just asking for it when you do something like that. I would imagine too many accidents could happen >>

I've used the compressed air, finish with a hair dryer approach for drying on hundreds of coins without an accident of any kind.

<< What do you guys hold the coin with when you're dipping? >>

Fingers.

<< << Wouldn't EZ-Est be best used on Copper coins? I've never used it before. >>

No do not do it. Ezest, aside of being an acid will chemically react with copper. You will end up with a pink coin. >>

This is a fallacy. As long as the surfaces of the coin are completely neutralized after the dip in eZest, it won't turn. The key is completely neutralized.

Russ, NCNE

nwcs · February 26, 2005 5:09AM

<< NWCS,

Fair enough, just trying to see what most others think. By the way, when you use the gloves (and I'm assuming of course that you hold the coin by the edges) does the part that you're holding look differently when you're done? -- Since it doesn't get any of the dipping stuff on that part of the coin, or do you rotate it kind of so that all of the edges get the dipping stuff on it?

Pete >>

I rotate it. I don't have it in there for more than 2-3 seconds. And I've never seen any effect from where I was holding the coin.

kenoshapete · February 26, 2005 5:11AM

Thanks for the info.

Pete

Proper use of E Z EST

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