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When and Why should you give an acetone bath to a coin?
SilverAvalanche
Posts: 93
Still here trying to learn. I've seen many beautiful coins and enjoy reading the posts. Can you give me some good reasons to why some coins need a acetone bath? And why some coins would not need an acetone bath. How do you do this? What are some coins "dipped" with? And how do you tell the difference? What is dip compaired to acetone bath. LOL Thanks for putting up with yet another newbie, you guys are great.
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Regular 'dipping' typically refers to dipping a coin in Jeweluster / EZ-Est or a similar product which is a weak acid that will remove toning and usually give the coin a bright white appearance, whereas acetone will not remove toning and is typically used to remove unwanted contaminants on a coins surface.
<< <i>..........weak acid....... >>
Many dips are Thiourea and Sulfuric acid in no way would a call that a week acid
"A strong acid is an acid that ionizes completely in an aqueous solution by losing one proton, according to the equation"
Never & It's wrong
Occasionally, collectors have been unpleasantly surprised when their colorfully toned coins emerged from an acetone dip missing most of the color (i.e., the toning wasn't real).
Acetone will remove PVC (if the coin is heavily coated--green-looking in places--several acetone treatments will be needed) but PVC contamination is a problem because
PVC decomposes to yield hydrochloric acid, among other compounds. The acid will cause pitting, and nothing can reverse that.
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
a very funky color. Also, use a well ventilated room, the fumes are somewhat toxic
If you breath in too much of them. We certainly do not want to lose a Forum member.
Camelot
HOF SIGNED FOOTBALL RCS
<< <i>I would recommend care in using acetone on copper. Sometimes it gives copper
a very funky color. Also, use a well ventilated room, the fumes are somewhat toxic
If you breath in too much of them. We certainly do not want to lose a Forum member. >>
Also, it's highly flamable.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
WS
<< <i>So I have a whole bag of little Plastic flips that store a coin on either side. Are these PVC fliPs? How do I tell if a holder/ storage device has PVC in it? Why would anyone produce coin holders made of a material that damages coins? I'm confused. >>
Sadly, PVC flips are still widely available and used. Short-term isn't a problem.
PVC flips can be identified by their smell (that "shower curtain" odor) and by their flexible nature. Bend the flip. If it crackles and feels rigid, it has no PVC. If it bends easily and quietly it has PVC.
Lance.
<< <i>...there is a test for this john, but i can't recall what it is. >>
Beilstein test---Heat a copper wire until it glows, use it to melt some plastic flip onto it, put it back into the flame, if it turns green the flip is PVC.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>
<< <i>...there is a test for this john, but i can't recall what it is. >>
Beilstein test---Heat a copper wire until it glows, use it to melt some plastic flip onto it, put it back into the flame, if it turns green the flip is PVC. >>
Yes
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>...there is a test for this john, but i can't recall what it is. >>
Beilstein test---Heat a copper wire until it glows, use it to melt some plastic flip onto it, put it back into the flame, if it turns green the flip is PVC. >>
Yes >>
Normally the smell test is enough---if it smell like a new shower curtain or the inside of a new car, it's PVC and should be avoided for long term storage. Not scientific but it's quick, easy and it works.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
in acetone even if you don't see a problem. This would include all pre-1985 mint set coins
and especially the '68 and '69. A lot of coins will be damaged before you see the greenish
glop or haze on them. Aluminum are very fragile and aluminum bronze are even worse.
Edited to add
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
<< <i>When someone mishandles a neat new coin. >>
Agree. Great for removing relatively new fingerprints that haven't etched themselves into the coin's surfaces.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>There is also a belief that an acetone bath on your silver coins will help prevent spotting. A lot of people give their new mint coins a bath before getting them slabbed.
>>
Yes. A lot of coins made for circulation will have traces of oil and other contaminants as
well as flakes and bits of metal which can cause spotting in conjunction with moisture.
Acetone doesn't do a real good job with oil but it will help and especially if it's just a small
amount.
<< <i>Never & It's wrong >>
Why is it wrong? Care to elaborate?
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
You can see some before and after pics in my 1909-O quarter thread. It removed some red colored gunk with an over night soak.
<< <i>It works good removing fingernail polish... I don't think acetone is a detriment to our hobby. I've had some coins in vegetable oil for quite some time. I may sell them on eBay. >>
Vegetable oil? Is this a joke or is this really beneficial to some coins and why?
<< <i>
<< <i>It works good removing fingernail polish... I don't think acetone is a detriment to our hobby. I've had some coins in vegetable oil for quite some time. I may sell them on eBay. >>
Vegetable oil? Is this a joke or is this really beneficial to some coins and why? >>
Many folks use oil soaking to soften stubborn crud and then gently prod it off with something like a rose thorn. It's never worked very well for me.
Lance.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>It works good removing fingernail polish... I don't think acetone is a detriment to our hobby. I've had some coins in vegetable oil for quite some time. I may sell them on eBay. >>
Vegetable oil? Is this a joke or is this really beneficial to some coins and why? >>
Many folks use oil soaking to soften stubborn crud and then gently prod it off with something like a rose thorn. It's never worked very well for me.
Lance. >>
I don't mess with crusty copper but some claim that mineral oil is better since olive oil can turn rancid over time.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
Glass bowl with enough acetone to cover, soak one coin at a time for how long? And how many coins can the same batch of acetone handle? How is the best way to dry them? Soft cloth, air dry? Any other tips?
<< <i>
<< <i>It works good removing fingernail polish... I don't think acetone is a detriment to our hobby. I've had some coins in vegetable oil for quite some time. I may sell them on eBay. >>
Vegetable oil? Is this a joke or is this really beneficial to some coins and why? >>
I purchased a "lot" from BlindedByEgo, once. In the box were a bunch of modern zincoln cents that were green and corroded. So, instead of touching them (they were nasty), I just put them in a JIF peanut butter jar and filled it up with vegetable oil. I doubt anything will help the coins, and likely there are no "keys'' in the bunch. The joke is that I "may sell them" on eBay.
``https://ebay.us/m/KxolR5
I heard you need high quality acetone - the paint quality in a hardware store has impurities that will dry VERY quickly onto your coin, turning it white.
Fast bathing in distilled water is necessary immediately.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>It works good removing fingernail polish... I don't think acetone is a detriment to our hobby. I've had some coins in vegetable oil for quite some time. I may sell them on eBay. >>
Vegetable oil? Is this a joke or is this really beneficial to some coins and why? >>
I purchased a "lot" from BlindedByEgo, once. In the box were a bunch of modern zincoln cents that were green and corroded. So, instead of touching them (they were nasty), I just put them in a JIF peanut butter jar and filled it up with vegetable oil. I doubt anything will help the coins, and likely there are no "keys'' in the bunch. The joke is that I "may sell them" on eBay.
Well you learn something new everyday!
AFTER - Koinsolv brand acetone bath:
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BONGO HURTLES ALONG THE RAIN SODDEN HIGHWAY OF LIFE ON UNDERINFLATED BALD RETREAD TIRES
AFTER: e*Zest dip
Apologies for poor-quality images. The purpose of the images is to demonstrate how e*Zest can remove the ugly haze on a Proof coins caused by storage over many years in a Whitman Album. NOTE: After image is taken at an angle so as the field mirrors reflection is dark/black, which explains the "distorted" plane of the coin.
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BONGO HURTLES ALONG THE RAIN SODDEN HIGHWAY OF LIFE ON UNDERINFLATED BALD RETREAD TIRES
Link
<< <i>Would an acetone bath or some form of conservation help this coin?
Link >>
No
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
<< <i>How long do you leave coins in an acetone bath and what concentration (i.e. 100%) do you use on your coins? Also, do you rinse them with distilled water afterwards? I have a coin that has a bit of PVC damage, and I want to experiment. The coin is a DCAM 1964 Accented Hair Kennedy Half in an older PCI holder. I'm assuming the PVC residue was on prior to slabbing. The spot has a greenish color; could it be something else? Unfortunately I don't have the coin with me/don't have decent pictures. >>
Use good quality acetone--don't dilute it with anything else, and be sure to use it in a well-ventilated area. You may need to change the acetone bath several times, depending on how impacted the PVC contamination is. But... if you see lots of green (especially dark green areas), don't expect acetone to save your coin. Underneath the green areas, the HCl decomposition product is busy dissolving metal---this produces pitting or other forms of visible damage that can easily render the coin 'Genuine.' Rinse with copious amounts of distilled water when you are done.
RMR: 'Wer, wenn ich schriee, hörte mich denn aus der Engel Ordnungen?'
CJ: 'No one!' [Ain't no angels in the coin biz]
<< <i>Never & It's wrong >>
Not removing PVC from an otherwise good coin is wrong.
keep my fur clean.
Camelot
Let me see if I can dig up the pics of that circ, low grade, scarce date, Barber coin that was Scotch taped into a Whitman folder. Acetone removed tape residue instantly and really helped that coin! Needless to say the coin had uneven toning afterward, but it looked so very much better without the tape residue on it!
<< <i>
<< <i>..........weak acid....... >>
Many dips are Thiourea and Sulfuric acid in no way would a call that a week acid
"A strong acid is an acid that ionizes completely in an aqueous solution by losing one proton, according to the equation" >>
He probably meant to say that they are weak solutions of a strong acid.
<< <i>
<< <i>...there is a test for this john, but i can't recall what it is. >>
Beilstein test---Heat a copper wire until it glows, use it to melt some plastic flip onto it, put it back into the flame, if it turns green the flip is PVC. >>
...by george (i mean perry) i think that's it! after having a senior moment i did recall!
<< <i>Pure acetone soak, followed by an alcohol rinse, followed by a DI water rinse and air dry ( no soft towels etc). A hair dryer can be used to accelerate the drying - use it at a distance of 12 to 18 inches. Cheers, RickO >>
I use Lowes type acetone, 10 to 20 minutes (on coins with no visable problems), in a glass bowl sitting on cotton in the bowl, then I rinse with clean acetone (back into the bowl), then rinse with distilled water and blow dry. RickO, why the alcohol, am I missing a step? and what type and grade of alcohol, can I use my Crown Royal