What is the longest you have ever soaked a coin in Acetone???

kryptonitecomics

The very few times I have ever had to tackle a PVC problem it seem like a quick soak in acetone was all it took to clear up the problem and return the coin to good health. I have a set right now that has been soaking since May 9th and to be honest it doesn't seem like anything is happening? Th coins all have a thin coat of PVC that doesn't look like it's etched into the surface and if I take a wooden tooth pick I can easily remove a piece from around the edge but I don't want to scratch the coins surface so I am being cautious.

So what's the longest you have ever let coins soak and still had good results? I am using pure acetone from the hardware store and I am suprised it hasn't obliterated the PVC after this long.....

Thanks

longtimecollector

I've soaked some Morgans that were wrapped in OLD tape for about a week or more with several light "encouragements" in-between....... Eventually it all went away

1921obsession

A week is my personal record. Are you changing the acetone daily?

nesvt

I let a few soak for a couple of months. I think the acetone has to be "fresh" to do anything. After a week or so, I'm not sure anything changed. After the 2+ months, a quick rinse and another soak for a couple of days made a big difference.

Whizzard

You need to change it daily or so. Its somewhat hygroscopic (water absorbing). Some encouragement with a Qtip can move some material out of the way so that the acetone can contact the surface a bit better.

dizzyfoxx

When it comes to this, I would classify myself as one of the...

rsdoug81

Awww...Come on, dizzy. It might get all that junk off those commems.

The longest I've soaked anything was for only a few minutes. It was a 1795 half that had a very light film of PVC and one heavier spot that required a tiny bit of q-tip action.

100proof1957

would think you should change the Acetone daily as im sure the good stuff "boils off" rapidly

kryptonitecomics

Well I will try that but I thought I was ok since I didn't see anything flaoting in the acetone and some have said to change it when it turns green? I like the q-tip idea so maybe I will carefully see if I can remove a small amount so the acetone can get to the surface.

Here is the set I am talking about.....it's Darksider stuff of little real value but the toning on one of the coins is so amazing....I would like to preserve it if possible

Mint Set

rsdoug81

Just be careful with the q-tip...a little too much pressure and you'll be cursing me for planting that idea

I pressed a little too hard and took a little patina off of my coin. ANACS overlooked it because it was an AG3 to begin with.

Note the darker spot on the left side of the neck:

kryptonitecomics

That seemed to work well as a lot of green stuff came off on the q-tip and I was sure to keep the q-tip and coin very wet with acetone as I progressed hopping that by doing so I would not put a bunch of wear on the coins.........won't really know if I did some damage until the coins are all cleaned up and I ship the toner off to NGC........might get lucky...never know?

All of the coins are now in a new glass jar with fresh acetone so I guess I will give them maybe another week or so and see what happens.

pontiacinf

I had a few cents soaking in acetone in a glass, for about 2 months but like elvis:

THE ACETONE HAS LEFT THE BUILDING

Baley

"you're soaking in it!"

<aghast> "dishwashing liquid?!?"

<laughing> "relax! it's Palmolive!"