Dumb Question - Where to Buy Dip and Acetone?

Coinosaurus

I got an interesting deal yesterday, about 50 silver rounds from the 1970s. They have been improperly stored but otherwise not messed with. Some have PVC and few others have hazy toning. Some have toned nicely and those I won't touch. These are primarily bullion pieces, so I'm not too concerned about value.

So, where is the best place to buy the necessary "conservation" supplies?

StrikeOutXXX

Acetone can be found in any Wal-Mart/Department Store in the paint section. Not sure about the other.

BlindedByEgo

Brent-Krueger online for the MS70.

fengk

If you're buying acetone, make sure it's 100% pure acetone. Finger nail polish remover has acetone in it, but it'll turn your coins into some weird color.

19Lyds

Dip, either EZ-Est (formerly know as Jewel Luster) or MS 70 is usually available at any coin shop.

Acetone can be purchased at literally any store that carries paint.

MadMonk

reagent grade acetone

dorkkarl

get your acetone at office depot. also, refill the wife's nail polish remover from your supply, as it's alot cheaper then buying "name-brand" nail polish remover.

K S

Conder101

The acetone will remove the "PVC" goo, but will not do anything with the tarnish/toning. That is what the dip is for. (And I don't think the dip will do a lot with the goo.)

notwilight

I just ordered dip, along with several other products, this past weekend from Stanton books. Note MS70 is not dip.
--Jerry

Coinosaurus

Thanks for the pointers. I'll start with the acetone and report back on my progress. How long should I soak them? They don't have green spots yet but a few have milk spots and there is also "goo" all over a few of them.

StrikeOutXXX

I've only used acetone once to get some old masking tape residue off a barber quarter. I swished it for about 10 minutes. My experiment and pics are here if you want to see:

My Acetone experiment.

PerryHall

You can buy Tarnex at most drug stores which is a coin dip which is effective at removing tarnish.

19Lyds

<< <i>Note MS70 is not dip.
--Jerry >>



Thats what the Label says Jerry but a lot of people just dip the entire coin if it is warranted.

meos1

A pouch of Redman can be found at the corner 7-11

mr1931S

I agree with MadMonk, purchase some reagent grade Acetone...not cheap, but because of trace impurities that might be present in so-called "100% Acetone" that you could buy for less than "not cheap," the dip job resulting might be less than ideal...Beside that, you might want to use the chemically pure Acetone on more valuable items in the future...

notwilight

<< <i>

<< <i>Note MS70 is not dip. --Jerry >>

Thats what the Label says Jerry but a lot of people just dip the entire coin if it is warranted. >>



Sorry, I wasn't clear. If by Dip, we're looking for an acid thiourea mixture to remove tarnish, generally referred to as "dip", then that is not MS-70. EZ-est is I think the most common dip. I think MS-70 is more soap based but I haven't used it. I have some of it on order too. --Jerry

relicsncoins

Yes, MS-70 is not a tone remover, but more of a copper re-toner. Sorry, I couldn't resist.

JJ

Coinosaurus

Well, a couple of the pieces that were completely covered in goo now have some nice mirrored surfaces (these were all proofs to begin with). I think I may have created some hairlines rubbing in the acetone with a Q-tip (impossible to tell what was underneath before). There is still some gunk on there so I am going to let them sit overnight in the acetone. In any case, what started as a PR67 and sat in a PVC flip for many years is about a PR64 now. Maybe PR65 in the morning

JRocco

No need to rub in the acetone with a Q-Tip, it is a strong enough agent to break up what you are using it for. You can let the coin sit in the acetone for 24-36 hours to get out stubborn pvc, just don't let the acetone evaporate over the coin- keep it completely submerged.

numisma

Similar to Acetone, but works differently in certain situations is Zylol. You can buy it from a hardware store or through an EAC dealer down South. Do NOT use a Q-tip if applying acetone to coins.....especially silver (MS or PF). You will cause hairlines.

Sunnywood

MS70 is NOT "just soap." It contains sodium hydroxide (caustic soda, the active ingredient in lye). That is why it is reactive with copper and is capable of affecting surface toning. It should not be used when all that is needed is a simple warm water & soap solution.

Best,
Sunnywood

notwilight

Thanks. I hope the active ingredients are listed on the side of these things when the show up. I ordered what seems like an entire apothecary: I started out looking for oil for old coppers, then I decided to get some dip, just in case. What the heck, lets have some MS70 and then for $2 I bought some "copper retoner". Might be fun to turn 2006 pennies chocolate brown...

--Jerry

Coinosaurus

Crap. I let the acetone sit overnight and it all evaporated away. Now it looks like there are water spots all over the coins. Apparently you have to cover the container. I'll retry the acetone again and rinse them before it all evaporates.

It is good these are cheap coins. If I were a coin doctor, the patient would be dead