White Crappola after Soaking in Acetone....

OneCent

After soaking for a couple of days in acetone to remove some PVC spots there appears to be some whitish junk (film?) where the PVC used to reside. I'm going to soak it for a while longer to try a full rid the coin of PVC reside.

Does Acetone leave whitish residue on the coin? I bought the acetone at HomeDepot...it doesn't specifically say 100% pure so maybe that is the problem?

COINB0Y

Someone's a been rubbin!

bfjohnson

I agree with the rubbin.

1960NYGiants

Try soaking a clean Q-Tip in the acetone and gently swab the areas that are white. Then rinse in distilled water and pat dry.

pharmer

Use 100% acetone. You may be looking at residue from a substandard product.

bushmaster8

Is it a proof coin? PVC damage (as opposed to PVC residue) shows as whitish on some proofs. If thats what yer seeing, it will look pitted under high enuff magnification.

If its filmy, not pitty, it could be skin oils if you used bare fingers to remove coin from acetone bath.

Edit: I shudda waited for the pic to load. That looks like damage from something other than pvc.

OneCent

<< <i>Someone's a been rubbin! >>



LOL...I thought that is what you called an improper allloy mix, or more commonly called woodgrain toning. I could be wrong though, as it wouldn't be the first time.


I think that the acetone that I'm using may be sub-standard. When I dip my finger into the jar to extract the coin my finger has a whitish film on it after the acetone evaporates.

Darth5oh

Nothing about the dip, I just wanted to say - nice pic. What's your setup? That's one clean pic!

CaptHenway

That happens when you leave copper in acetone too long. It's not the acetone's fault.
Try soaking it in some fresh acetone for about five minutes and then gently rubbing it with a clean q-tip dipped in the acetone. Then rinse in water as hot as you can stand.

JRocco

Beautiful woodgrain on this one and a really nice pic also
And no you haven't rubbed it.
Listen to what CaptHenway said and it should be fine.

BAJJERFAN

<< <i>When I dip my finger into the jar to extract the coin my finger has a whitish film on it after the acetone evaporates. >>



All acetone will do that to your skin. So will pure ethyl alcohol aka EverClear. I believe its from the solvent temporarily removing surface moisture fron your skin.

marxbuff

Looks like a really beautiful wood grained Lincoln.

Its very possible the residue is caused as CaptHenway described but it also could be old white polishing residue
from a cream type cleaner from years ago.

As he stated soak it in Acetone again & lightly go with a Q-tip.

I started collecting back in the mid 50's and many collectors still used paste type cleaners plus buffing style pads, cloths or brushes to clean their coins.

Sorry to say i was one of them but have learned over the years.

Just go easy with it with no force applied to the Q-tip and you should be fine plus be careful of the fumes from the Acetone.

Spinynorman

<< <i>Does Acetone leave whitish residue on the coin? >>



No, but it will cause residue/debris/detritus remaining on the coin to turn whitish. If you can't remove the residue, mineral oil will return it to it's original non-whitish color.

MrSpud

You can check to see if your acetone is contaminated by putting a small amount onto a mirror (with the mirror laying horizontally on a flat surface). You put a small amount on the mirror and let it evaporate. If it leaves a visioble residue on the mirror then it will leave a residue on a coin. If it evaporates clean on the mirror with no visible residue, it shouldn't leave a residue on a coin.

tmot99

I've only had acetone contamination problems on a proof coin. Otherwise, I don't think you'd see it unless the acetone is REALLY dirty.

I don't think the acetone caused any of that white stuff. If anything, it's remaining PVC residue. I've had coins where I do an incomplete rinse with acetone and white residue develops. A good clean rinsing and gentle rubbing with a Q tip should do the trick if removable.

pb2y

How would Tarn-X effect a brz coin?

TwoSides2aCoin

PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE TO KIDS:

Acetone is a highly flammable substance for industrial uses. It should not come in direct contact with the skin. Coin people learned to use chemicals to FIX coins. The market has accepted using CHEMICALS to enhance coins. It's a known fact. Acetone and sulphur both do magic.


For some of us, it still don't make it right.
It is a cool woodgrain if you can save it.

theump

<< <i>How would Tarn-X effect a brz coin? >>





When I was about 10, I took my penny collection and dipped them all in tarn-x. What was the bottom line. I had a bunch of cleaner, rough feeling crap. It basically destroyed the coins in terms that they felt absolutely horrible. That nice smooth feeling was gone and replaced by a rough texture that actually made it uncomfortable to hold the coin. Even after thirty years I can still remember the way those coins felt.

And to think I ruined a couple of SVDB's and a few 55 DD's that way.

CaptHenway

<< <i>How would Tarn-X effect a brz coin? >>



Very badly. It is acid.
TD

robec

I don't know if this would pertain to your coin or not, but I tried some Blue Ribbon Professional Conditioner and Preservative on a 1909 Lincoln that had similar white marks. Acetone had never been used on it (at least to my knowledge).

Before








After







After under different lighting to show that the color hasn't changed

7Jaguars

Remember, the gunk removed by the acetone goes into solution and as it dries may be redeposited on the surface esp. near devices and lettering even if it was "pure" acetone to begin with.

I always use Home Depot which seems to have been very pure, the only gripe is that the price is moving upwards on the acetone itself!

I do not think it is necessary to soak for any period of time in it. You can use the acetone or else soak it into a CLEAN terry cloth towel and tamp the coin surface (DO NOT RUB!). I usually follow with a mild soap and water rinse, and then a water rinse and tamp dry.

OneCent

<< <i>Nothing about the dip, I just wanted to say - nice pic. What's your setup? That's one clean pic! >>



Thanks for the comment on the pix! Real simple set-up....Canon Powershot A610 on desktop tripod. Lighting provided by one 13w Ott lamp. I actually want to purchase two Ott goosenecks to provide some greater flexibility and wattage. The built in macro feature on this camera is pretty sensational for a point and shoot.

Thanks for the comments regarding acetone procedures as well. My only goal with this coin is to remove the PVC gunk as I like the woodgrain on this coin. Unfortunately, the reverse is not a clean as the obverse.

PrivateCoinCollector

<< <i>Use 100% acetone. You may be looking at residue from a substandard product. >>



He said Home Depot didn't he?

tmot99

<< <i>PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE TO KIDS:

Acetone is a highly flammable substance for industrial uses. It should not come in direct contact with the skin. Coin people learned to use chemicals to FIX coins. The market has accepted using CHEMICALS to enhance coins. It's a known fact. Acetone and sulphur both do magic.


For some of us, it still don't make it right.
It is a cool woodgrain if you can save it. >>



You obviously don't know what acetone does to a coin. Acetone is a solvent and does NOT react with the coin. Acetone is not reactive with metal. Sulphur is. Acetone will not enhance a coin in any way except to remove some dirt or material that will dissolve in an organic solvent. Direct contact with the skin is not an issue when using on a coin. Do not drink it and do not soak in it. Having it come in contact with your hand is not a big problem. Most fingernail polish remover is over 80% acetone.

As for using Blue Ribbon, it does wonders on copper or bronze. However, it does leave a residue. I have found that Blue Ribbon is better at removing some material on a coin. I carefully blot the excess BR off, then rinse with acetone. The acetone will remove any remaining BR. I also use a squirt bottle for my acetone so I can give it a good clean rinse. Here's the bottles I use:

LeeG

<< <i>Here's the bottles I use:

>>




I like it!

Sotty

If all else fails, I would soak it in white vinegar, rince in water and quickly neutralize in acetone or alcohol.

tmot99

Vinegar is acidic. I wouldn't suggest it. I haven't tried it before, but wouldn't attempt it. The acidic properties would effect the metal to some level even if minor. Same with lemon juice.

TwoSides2aCoin

<< <i>

<< <i>PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE TO KIDS:

Acetone is a highly flammable substance for industrial uses. It should not come in direct contact with the skin. Coin people learned to use chemicals to FIX coins. The market has accepted using CHEMICALS to enhance coins. It's a known fact. Acetone and sulphur both do magic.


For some of us, it still don't make it right.
It is a cool woodgrain if you can save it. >>



You obviously don't know what acetone does to a coin. Acetone is a solvent and does NOT react with the coin. Acetone is not reactive with metal. Sulphur is. Acetone will not enhance a coin in any way except to remove some dirt or material that will dissolve in an organic solvent. Direct contact with the skin is not an issue when using on a coin. Do not drink it and do not soak in it. Having it come in contact with your hand is not a big problem. Most fingernail polish remover is over 80% acetone.

Here's the bottles I use:

>>




and you obviously don't know what it does to a body , boo boo My message was for kids who might dabble with ADULT toys and "exceptions" don't apply to my public service announcement


Acetone is an irritant and inhalation may lead to hepatotoxic effects (causing liver damage). The fumes should be avoided. Always use goggles when handling acetone; it can cause permanent eye damage (corneal clouding).

The effects of long-term exposure to acetone are known mostly from animal studies. Kidney, liver, and nerve damage, increased birth defects, and lowered reproduction ability of males (only) occurred in animals exposed long-term. It is not known if these same effects would be exhibited in humans.

respectfully,

A caring parent and a fella who doesn't dip, clean, soak, or enhance the flavor of coins ...
"except" maybe with Kool-Aid, just for profit.

moonshine

Is acetone the best thing to use on nickels as well? If not, what is?

thanks

tmot99

<< <i>The effects of long-term exposure to acetone are known mostly from animal studies. Kidney, liver, and nerve damage, increased birth defects, and lowered reproduction ability of males (only) occurred in animals exposed long-term. It is not known if these same effects would be exhibited in humans. >>



Good thing I don't have animal kidneys, livers or nerves in me. Finally, a birth control method for men!

TwoSides2aCoin

<< <i>

<< <i>The effects of long-term exposure to acetone are known mostly from animal studies. Kidney, liver, and nerve damage, increased birth defects, and lowered reproduction ability of males (only) occurred in animals exposed long-term. It is not known if these same effects would be exhibited in humans. >>



Good thing I don't have animal kidneys, livers or nerves in me. Finally, a birth control method for men! >>



LOL... we ain't suppose to be rubbin it on the orbs, tmot

tmot99

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>The effects of long-term exposure to acetone are known mostly from animal studies. Kidney, liver, and nerve damage, increased birth defects, and lowered reproduction ability of males (only) occurred in animals exposed long-term. It is not known if these same effects would be exhibited in humans. >>



Good thing I don't have animal kidneys, livers or nerves in me. Finally, a birth control method for men! >>



LOL... we ain't suppose to be rubbin it on the orbs, tmot >>

CaptHenway

<< <i>Vinegar is acidic. I wouldn't suggest it. I haven't tried it before, but wouldn't attempt it. The acidic properties would effect the metal to some level even if minor. Same with lemon juice. >>



What he said.......
TD