How to safely remove gunk from silver.

Billet7 · June 9, 2013 1:23PM

I am sure it has been discussed before, but the search function doesn't work on my tablet. I am trying to clean off some residue on a silver coin, don't want to clean the whole coin, just remove the gunk. I have tried acetone to no avail. It seems to be oil based, possibly a wax or dark polish of some kind. Any tips? I thought about warming the coin up, mildly, and seeing if it melts at all.

keyman64 · June 9, 2013 1:31PM

MS70 for Mint State coins that still have their luster...using a q-tip very gently just to move the liquid around, not to scrub. Then rinsed thoroughly and dried carefully. If the luster has been eaten through and you use something like MS70 then you will get the grime off but then you will end up with flat gray areas on the coin and you will find yourself trying to retone the coin for a couple of years. Wear gloves!

BAJJERFAN · June 9, 2013 1:48PM

Try a petrol based product like charcoal starter, kerosene which should dissolve the wax. Or nail polish remover.

keyman64 · June 9, 2013 2:16PM

<< Try a petrol based product like charcoal starter, kerosene which should dissolve the wax. Or nail polish remover. >>

Nail polish remover is normally 90%+ acetone....then misc moisturizers and frangrances...not stuff for coins. Pure acetone is just fine but the OP has already said he has tried that.

MS70 is the next step in my opinion...you could always dilute it to half strength if you wanted to try that first.

BAJJERFAN · June 9, 2013 2:28PM

<< 

<< Try a petrol based product like charcoal starter, kerosene which should dissolve the wax. Or nail polish remover. >>

Nail polish remover is normally 90%+ acetone....then misc moisturizers and frangrances...not stuff for coins. Pure acetone is just fine but the OP has already said he has tried that.

MS70 is the next step in my opinion...you could always dilute it to half strength if you wanted to try that first. >>

I don't think there is any acetone in nail polish remover. That's mostly amyl acetate [banana oil] with possibly a little MEK or MIBK thrown in. If something is good for removing tarnish, it likely isn't useful for organic based contaminants.

keyman64 · June 9, 2013 2:33PM

#1 is Acetone...but other ingredients are used as you suggested.

BAJJERFAN · June 9, 2013 2:49PM

Fingernail polish remover has likely changed a lot in composition over the years. Probably varies from brand to brand as well. If he suspects it's wax, a nonpolar solvent like charcoal started will be a good choice. I looked up ms70, but couldn't find any info about ingredients.

BAJJERFAN · June 9, 2013 2:51PM

<< I am sure it has been discussed before, but the search function doesn't work on my tablet. I am trying to clean off some residue on a silver coin, don't want to clean the whole coin, just remove the gunk. I have tried acetone to no avail. It seems to be oil based, possibly a wax or dark polish of some kind. Any tips? I thought about warming the coin up, mildly, and seeing if it melts at all. >>

Try heating it with a hair dryer. You could also dip the still warm coin in a little solvent. If you only want to treat the affected area then the best bet is to use something that you know WON'T affect the rest of the coin which rules out stuff like EZest or MS70 which are better tarnish removers than they are gunk removers.

PerryHall · June 9, 2013 2:55PM

<< Or nail polish remover. >>

He said that he already tried acetone which is what nail polish is.

BAJJERFAN · June 9, 2013 3:06PM

<< 

<< Or nail polish remover. >>

He said that he already tried acetone which is what nail polish is. >>

Those little added extra ingredients can have a big effect on solvent power.

Coinflip · June 9, 2013 3:12PM

I had some silver soaked in acetone with buildup from years of being in vanilla envelopes, looked brown and pinkish (nasty) the acetone did nothing
ms70 took it right off without trying

keyman64 · June 9, 2013 3:21PM

Bought last month...you can put whatever you want on your coins but I won't put all of this crap on mine.

Tdec1000 · June 9, 2013 9:04PM

An organic product like goo-gone works wonders. Make sure you rinse well in acetone and distilled water afterwards.

ricko · June 10, 2013 12:18AM

Heat hydrogen peroxide in the microwave (below boiling) and then immerse the coin and let it set.... should see some results in five minutes or so...it may be necessary to repeat if the residue is really stubborn. Cheers, RickO

messydesk · June 10, 2013 12:29AM

I've resorted to mechanical gunk removal at times. A green rose thorn, a stereo microscope, and a bit of patience can work wonders on a gunky coin. I usually use this method to clean out date digits and mint marks. It can be tedious, and you have to clean the gunk off the thorn so that it doesn't scratch the coin. The thorn by itself has never left a mark on anything I've use it on, but you still need to pay attention and be careful.

Billet7 · June 10, 2013 1:22AM

Would hydrogen peroxide or goo gone remove the tarnish as well?

Billet7 · June 10, 2013 1:24AM

I am going to steer clear of ms70 and nail polish remover for the time being. Mechanical removal will be my next step if needed.

guitarwes · June 10, 2013 2:28AM

what about laying a paper towel over the surface of the coin then touching it lightly with an iron? Kind of like the way to remove candle wax from surfaces/carpet/etc.

Can you post a picture of the coin?

AUandAG · June 10, 2013 2:31AM

I once had a Peace dollar with old wax on it and just put it in a sieve and poured 2 quarts of boiling
water over it. Used a glove/mitt and did it over the sink. Worked well and no wax remained that I
could tell. Seemed to melt it right off.

bob

LindeDad · June 10, 2013 2:33AM

Heat to 1763 all problems solved.

magikbilly · June 10, 2013 3:42AM

I once saw a DMPL Morgan become a dead matte finish Morgan with contact w/flame.

Eric

Billet7 · June 10, 2013 12:40PM

Boiling water did not work. Will keep you updated.

MacCrimmon · June 10, 2013 1:24PM

<< Boiling water did not work. Will keep you updated. >>

Got a pic of this "gunk"? Is the coin circ, or unc. ?

I've found xylene to be more aggressive than acetone.

Billet7 · June 10, 2013 1:56PM

I dont have a pic right now, will try to get one. It is a circ bustie, vf30 or so. Looks like someone applied shoe polish or something to it. When handling it it feels a little sticky. The coin looks beautiful, but under close scrutiny you can see the gunk in the crevices.

How to safely remove gunk from silver.

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