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So, I spilled some acetone and....

StorkStork Posts: 5,207 ✭✭✭✭✭
in World & Ancient Coins Forum
some fell on a PCGS slab. It looked a little smeared so I did what any normal person would do and gave it a rub. It still looked smeary so I rubbed more.... Turns out acetone is not so good for a PCGS slab image (and insert eye rolling icon here). So now a little smear is a big smear, right over the coin. Any ideas on 'refreshing' the slab so it looks reasonable again? Naturally this is a coin I was planning on selling soon (eye rolling again).

Cathy

Comments

  • MilkmanDanMilkmanDan Posts: 3,761 ✭✭✭✭✭
    The good news is that a reholder is still discounted at PCGS ($5 for regular, $10 for secure plus/world). The bad news is you still have to pay the shipping/handling fees which would be expensive for just a single coin.
  • bronzematbronzemat Posts: 2,663 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Acetone melts plastic, not good. Try plastx and see if it buffs out?
  • StorkStork Posts: 5,207 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Acetone melts plastic, not good. >>



    Was totally NOT thinking at the time, it was a dumb thing to do with a pile of slabs sitting nearby. I was just getting ready to rinse a couple coins off that had arrived in PVC flips (they looked fine but who knows how long they'd been in those particular flips). It was sheer stupid bad luck the best coin was on top of the pile.

    Poop.

  • AndresAndres Posts: 977 ✭✭✭
    Polywatch

    collector of Greek banknotes - most beautifull world banknotes - Greek & Roman ancient coins.
  • DeutscherGeistDeutscherGeist Posts: 2,990 ✭✭✭✭
    You do the right thing about giving coins an acetone bath when you do not know where they have been. I had my share of ooops with acetone. It sure does melt plastic! It is imperative we keep our hobby desks clean at all times!
    This is not the end of the world. A slab got damaged, not a coin. It can be redone but the shipping and handling is no fun if you are not sending something in with a bulk submission. See if a friend is sending in something to PCGS and you can piggy back on that.

    Plastx was recommended here to buff out the unsightly spot. I never seen or used this product. There are products out there that eliminate scratches from baseball card holders from PSA (a division of CU as PCGS is). Novus Plastic Polish has been used by many baseball card collectors to refresh their holders. The product can be found on ebay.
    Also, if you want something more versatile in use and not just one PCGS holder, how about a car care product used to restore headlights? I have not used this, but I can share what I have researched. One day I will experiment more with this when the need to do becomes more imperative. (Knowing how to give coins acetone baths the right way is more important that refreshing protective slabs of coins).

    Car care products that work on PSA and PCGS slabs
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  • bronzematbronzemat Posts: 2,663 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>You do the right thing about giving coins an acetone bath when you do not know where they have been. I had my share of ooops with acetone. It sure does melt plastic! It is imperative we keep our hobby desks clean at all times!
    This is not the end of the world. A slab got damaged, not a coin. It can be redone but the shipping and handling is no fun if you are not sending something in with a bulk submission. See if a friend is sending in something to PCGS and you can piggy back on that.

    Plastx was recommended here to buff out the unsightly spot. I never seen or used this product. There are products out there that eliminate scratches from baseball card holders from PSA (a division of CU as PCGS is). Novus Plastic Polish has been used by many baseball card collectors to refresh their holders. The product can be found on ebay.
    Also, if you want something more versatile in use and not just one PCGS holder, how about a car care product used to restore headlights? I have not used this, but I can share what I have researched. One day I will experiment more with this when the need to do becomes more imperative. (Knowing how to give coins acetone baths the right way is more important that refreshing protective slabs of coins).

    Car care products that work on PSA and PCGS slabs >>



    Do a search in the lightside forum for plastx, several threads on it. Most recent is here
  • SwampboySwampboy Posts: 13,100 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Tough break there Cathy..
    FWIW I've never even thought about using acetone indoors and I'm surprised to hear others do.
    Those fumes are too hot for me.

    "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso

  • pruebaspruebas Posts: 4,642 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Also make sure you keep eyeglasses and loupes with plastic lenses far away as well.
  • StorkStork Posts: 5,207 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Thanks for the recommendations...definitely worth a shot before trying to do an add on to someone's PCGS order. As for the acetone inside, well normally I'm just 'washing' off a couple coins at a time, so I'm in the kitchen..very quick. Unfortunately today I had other things sitting out.

    I have a lot of slabs that are less than pristine, so this is good information. As long as slab doctoring is okay imageimageimage.

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