Acetone bath for Newbies

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charlesf20
charlesf20 Posts: 383 ✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum

Would it be wise to use a light rinse (mix?) on all new coins
going into a collection, even R&R the ones sent in cardboard 2X2's?

Comments

  • mr1931S
    mr1931S Posts: 7,309 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Not something I would do. I use acetone only as a treatment to remove gunk. Acetone works admirably for that job.

    "Two things are infinite: human stupidity and the universe; and I'm not sure about the universe."
    -Albert Einstein-

    Mistakes are natural. But repeated mistakes without reflection are something else. That may be the “stupidity” he was referring to. In research, he admitted uncertainty openly. “If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?” This shows humility. Even a Nobel laureate accepted doubt. That humility makes the quote less cynical and more observational.

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,047 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Some people do. I think it is overkill. But if it is high purity, used properly, it shouldn't hurt.

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • AUandAG
    AUandAG Posts: 25,050 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Yup, it's overkill and that's why I do it. I'm really thorough!

    bob :)

    Registry: CC lowballs (boblindstrom), bobinvegas1989@yahoo.com
  • Jzyskowski1
    Jzyskowski1 Posts: 6,650 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    It’s really not bad. I like the results and easy to use. 😉🦫🙀. I’m told silver only until I know a little more.

    🎶 shout shout, let it all out 🎶

  • MasonG
    MasonG Posts: 7,569 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @jmlanzaf said:
    Some people do. I think it is overkill. But if it is high purity, used properly, it shouldn't hurt.

    Ditto.

  • gumby1234
    gumby1234 Posts: 5,901 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Even though some newbies probably deserve it I don't think it would be a good idea. They could get a rash or even worse. Don't put anybody into an acetone bath.

    Successful BST with ad4400, Kccoin, lablover, pointfivezero, koynekwest, jwitten, coin22lover, HalfDimeDude, erwindoc, jyzskowsi, COINS MAKE CENTS, AlanSki, BryceM

  • charlesf20
    charlesf20 Posts: 383 ✭✭✭
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    @Jzyskowski1 said:
    It’s really not bad. I like the results and easy to use. 😉🦫🙀. I’m told silver only until I know a little more.

    Is it mixed with something or watered down?

  • jmlanzaf
    jmlanzaf Posts: 43,047 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @charlesf20 said:

    @Jzyskowski1 said:
    It’s really not bad. I like the results and easy to use. 😉🦫🙀. I’m told silver only until I know a little more.

    Is it mixed with something or watered down?

    Depends on what you buy

    All comments reflect the opinion of the author, even when irrefutably accurate.

  • MsMorrisine
    MsMorrisine Posts: 40,041 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Water in acetone risks rinse spotting

    Current maintainer of Stone's Master List of Favorite Websites // My BST transactions
  • Jzyskowski1
    Jzyskowski1 Posts: 6,650 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    🎶 shout shout, let it all out 🎶

  • gumby1234
    gumby1234 Posts: 5,901 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @charlesf20 Only buy pure acetone if you are going to use it. Only use outdoors and away from any sparks or flames. Use a clear glass container or bowl with no plastic or rubber even in the lid. It will melt the plastic.

    Successful BST with ad4400, Kccoin, lablover, pointfivezero, koynekwest, jwitten, coin22lover, HalfDimeDude, erwindoc, jyzskowsi, COINS MAKE CENTS, AlanSki, BryceM

  • Desert Moon
    Desert Moon Posts: 6,479 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    An acetone soak cannot hurt metal surfaces. At all. But it can remove organic gunk and loose particles. Why not.

    My online coin store - https://desertmoonnm.com/
  • Oldhoopster
    Oldhoopster Posts: 2,930 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    This is overkill

    Member of the ANA since 1982
  • Jzyskowski1
    Jzyskowski1 Posts: 6,650 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @Oldhoopster said:
    This is overkill

    And pricey, if I recall correctly. Re-agent is laboratory grade. It’ll do the job 😉🦫🙀

    🎶 shout shout, let it all out 🎶

  • charlesf20
    charlesf20 Posts: 383 ✭✭✭
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    @Jzyskowski1 said:

    I'm glad, that's exactly what the misses brought me home :)

  • ricko
    ricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    100% acetone will not harm metals. It attacks/removes organics. I use it on new silver. Recommended by forum member (no longer with us) Russ to prevent milk spots. Seems effective. Cheers, RickO

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 ✭
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    It can't hurt. I rinse most of my raw new acquisitions in acetone, you never know what oils or residues are lingering unseen only to show up later as an etched fingerprint or pvc damage.

  • Namvet69
    Namvet69 Posts: 9,423 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    As important is that acetone gets dirty with all the stuff it dissolves or dislodges. Some of the debris falls to the bottom but some is in suspension. Change your acetone often, it's cheap. Peace Roy

    BST: endeavor1967, synchr, kliao, Outhaul, Donttellthewife, U1Chicago, ajaan, mCarney1173, SurfinHi, MWallace, Sandman70gt, mustanggt, Pittstate03, Lazybones, Walkerguy21D, coinandcurrency242 , thebigeng, Collectorcoins, JimTyler, USMarine6, Elkevvo, Coll3ctor, Yorkshireman, CUKevin, ranshdow, CoinHunter4, bennybravo, Centsearcher, braddick, Windycity, ZoidMeister, mirabela, JJM, RichURich, Bullsitter, jmski52, LukeMarshall, coinsarefun, MichaelDixon, NickPatton, ProfLiz, Twobitcollector,Jesbroken oih82w8, DCW

  • 7Jaguars
    7Jaguars Posts: 8,019 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Please note that prolonged exposure is not a good idea for humans OR coins, particularly copper as there are mild acidic breakdown products that will have some tendency to oxidize the copper coin surface.

    That having been said, for 20 years and more I routinely use a quick acetone "tamping" after rinse in ordinary water and mild detergent with mild rinse off after the detergent. What I do is use a high nap fresh white towel that I soak thoroughly in the pure acetone (well, Walmart pure) and then tamp the surface - NO abrasion or swiping moves. Because of the effect first mentioned, I then rinse with water, the mild detergent, water rinse and then tamp dry with a part of the towel that is dry.

    Anyway, what each does with his coins is his or her business but please be careful with acetone or other solvents. I have used this on silver, gold and copper nickel but not on copper/brass. I would suggest if interested that readers experiment safely themselves with the effects on the copper plating of recent "zincolns" or coins with no special value.

    And one final caveat: don't backwash used acetone into the container/receptacle as there will be dissolved compounds introduced into it that may redeposit on other coins in subsequent uses.

    Love that Milled British (1830-1960)
    Well, just Love coins, period.
  • pointfivezero
    pointfivezero Posts: 2,005 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    This recent post from Daniel seems relevant here:

    https://youtu.be/2jKYd1WKCGo

  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,068 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Stay away from the mystery oil thing to

  • Oldhoopster
    Oldhoopster Posts: 2,930 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    @pointfivezero said:
    This recent post from Daniel seems relevant here:

    https://youtu.be/2jKYd1WKCGo

    Overall the video is ok, but Daniel doesn't understand how acetone works. When he starts talking about acetone removing toning he is absolutely wrong. Acetone is a solvent that will remove many adhered organic materials such as dirt, organic residue, and adhesives. It won't touch toning or other things that have chemically reacted with the metal surface of the coin

    There are a number of members on this forum who have strong chemistry backgrounds. I know of one that's a chemistry professor at a highly respected engineering university. These members have commented and left recommendations regarding the use of acetone. Search the archives for old threads. They offer so much more real, factual info than Daniel.

    Member of the ANA since 1982
  • pointfivezero
    pointfivezero Posts: 2,005 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Yes, @Oldhoopster, totally agree. Was a bit of a mixed message with mixed results.

    Tim (an old hoopster too)

  • thefinn
    thefinn Posts: 2,657 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    There is a protective coating of oils on new coins when they come from the mint. You remove that and you expose the active properties of the metals.

    thefinn

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