Pine-Sol and Ammonia...are they inert?

gyocomgd

Is there another chemical that, like acetone, is inert? I heard recently that ammonia won't damage a coin, and I heard the same thing about Pine-Sol. True or false? And how would they differ from acetone in terms of removing agents that have accumulated on the coin?

mgoodm3

i want my coins to be pine-forest fresh.

Russ

Ever hear of Windexing copper?

Russ, NCNE

Barry

Ammonia is an alkali and will react with the metal. Pine-Sol, per their web site, "contains pine oil and cleaning agents called surfactants." That should not cause damage, though I don't know why you would want to use it.

MikeInFL

Ammonia is not, and I would not bet one of my coins that Pine Sol is not either. Why not just use tried and tested Acetone?..Mike

gyocomgd

I was told these are more effective at lifting PVC that has begun to work its way into the coin's surface, and which no longer responds to acetone. This comment came from a dealer at a recent coin show I attended. I brought two coins with me, one with a deep carbon spot and another with stubborn PVC, to show around and seek advice on. The dealer's remarks on these household cleaners certainly raised my eyebrow, and certainly is worth tossing out to the forum. You never know what answers will come back.

coinbuf

Different metals react differently, Ammonia is not inert for sure. I've never tried Pine-sol but I think it may have ammonia as one of its componets.

roadrunner

I gave Guy the recommendation to use white ammonia. It has worked a few times for me on removing heavy PVC. And it's readily available at any store, anytime. I've never seen any damage to a coin's surface from ammonia. While it will tend to remove some oxidation (ie. color), I have never seen it dull the luster, even if soaked for hours. It will often bring blast back to lightly toned and hazy silver coins without looking like it was dipped and stripped.

If you have a toned coin and don't want to expose hairlines and chatter hiding under the toning don't use it. But on PVC'd dollars and nickel type, it has worked fine for me. One old Hallmark PF65 Lib nickel I owned had a nasty green spot the size of a "star." I slowly came off the ammonia and only left a very light shadow when it was done soaking. NGC graded it PF65. Prior to that the coin was no grade.

Actually ammonia is about the only thing I've ever used...but mainly on relatively inexpensive mint state coins. Dip solution is something I rarely use. Pine-sol is not on my shopping list.

roadrunner

nwcs

Goo gone works great for circulated cents

Longacre

At White Plains I heard one dealer say he cleans all his coins with mango juice. I'm totally serious.

nwcs

All those fruit juices are basically acids so it is a form of dip with varying intensity.

tmot99

None of these things listed including acetone is "inert". They wouldn't work if they were inert. Inert means it doesn't react with anything.

astrorat

No, they are not inert.

Lane

ms70

There's only one way to find out.

BlindedByEgo

<< <i>None of these things listed including acetone is "inert". They wouldn't work if they were inert. Inert means it doesn't react with anything. >>



Very good point.

Even Freon - technically "inert" - isn't so inert when it comes to the ozone layer

tincup

Ammonia is NOT inert. It is reactive... expecially with copper. It may be removing some spots.... but it is removing coin metal also.

pursuitofliberty

I gave Guy the recommendation to use white ammonia. It has worked a few times for me on removing heavy PVC. And it's readily available at any store, anytime. I've never seen any damage to a coin's surface from ammonia. While it will tend to remove some oxidation (ie. color), I have never seen it dull the luster, even if soaked for hours. It will often bring blast back to lightly toned and hazy silver coins without looking like it was dipped and stripped.

I concur ... have used it ... no detectable metal loss on silver, even after soaked for days (I forgot one grimy one with tape residue after an hour and didn't pick it out for two more days) ... quite effective for heavy PVC, body oils and grime ... but as mentioned, will remove light to medium toning. Have never had one treated this way not grade. Use similiar to acetone, rinse thouroughly with distilled water ... pat dry. I just use a supermarket brand without phosporous (sp?) ... a lemon ammonia.

Have never tried, nor do I desire to try windex, pine-sol, or anything else other than this or acetone.