Is it OK to cover a glass bowl with aluminum foil while bathing a coin in acetone?

PillarDollarCollector · November 25, 2023 3:04PM

Does the acetone interact in some bad way with aluminum foil?

PillarDollarCollector · November 25, 2023 3:12PM

I am assuming it is OK but I am not sure to be honest.

gumby1234 · November 25, 2023 3:15PM

You want something airtight.

PillarDollarCollector · November 25, 2023 3:16PM

@gumby1234 said:
You want something airtight.

For the fumes I imagine?

gumby1234 · November 25, 2023 3:16PM

Also I recommend only doing acetone soaks outside and not smoking.

gumby1234 · November 25, 2023 3:17PM

Yes for the fumes and to keep the acetone from evaporating away.

PillarDollarCollector · November 25, 2023 3:19PM

@gumby1234 said:
Also I recommend only doing acetone soaks outside and not smoking.

Thanks but would the aluminum foil be OK outside then? I do not smoke. I know it is flammable so they are nowhere near a source that could ignite it. I have 2 with metal lids but I now see rust on the metal lids hence my question.

PillarDollarCollector · November 25, 2023 3:21PM

This is the type I have:

PillarDollarCollector · November 25, 2023 3:22PM

But the lids are getting rusted from the acetone.

Herb_T · November 25, 2023 3:23PM

In my previous life we regularly had liquid paint (as opposed to powder paint) and solvents running through various aluminum components. No problem. Aluminum 6061-T6.

PillarDollarCollector · November 25, 2023 3:24PM

@Herb_T said:
In my previous life we regularly had liquid paint (as opposed to powder paint) and solvents running through various aluminum components. No problem. Aluminum 6061-T6.

So in your opinion if I use my jars and tightly put the aluminum foil on the top it should be OK? I will change the aluminum foil of course. I mean the type of aluminum foil you use in your oven when cooking.

Herb_T · November 25, 2023 3:27PM

If it was me I wouldn’t worry aboput it and if I did I would put a glass plate over the jar.

Namvet69 · November 25, 2023 3:27PM

I use the same jar and lid but I have a piece of aluminum foil screwed in between the jar and lid. Works great. No evaporation. Good luck. Peace Roy

PillarDollarCollector · November 25, 2023 3:29PM

This is the type I have:

@Herb_T said:
If it was me I wouldn’t worry aboput it and if I did I would put a glass plate over the jar.

Yeah that may be the solution aluminum foil with a glass plate over my jars. The lids for some reason rust.

PillarDollarCollector · November 25, 2023 3:29PM

@Namvet69 said:
I use the same jar and lid but I have a piece of aluminum foil screwed in between the jar and lid. Works great. No evaporation. Good luck. Peace Roy

I will try this as well thanks.

PillarDollarCollector · November 25, 2023 3:37PM

Should I redo my coins because the lid had rust or am I fine?

gumby1234 · November 25, 2023 3:41PM

Some rust may have fallen in, but once you rinse the coins whatever was still in the acetone should come off the coin.

Onastone · November 25, 2023 3:42PM

How long are you bathing the coins? I dipped one in acetone outside, left it in for about 15 minutes, then redipped in fresh acetone...never covered it. I just don't know if covering the acetone is necessary unless you are soaking for an extended time as the acetone does evaporate quickly.

gumby1234 · November 25, 2023 3:45PM

@PillarDollarCollector said:

@gumby1234 said:
Also I recommend only doing acetone soaks outside and not smoking.

Thanks but would the aluminum foil be OK outside then? I do not smoke. I know it is flammable so they are nowhere near a source that could ignite it. I have 2 with metal lids but I now see rust on the metal lids hence my question.

There was a guy about 8 years ago. He was driving around in my city with bomb making material in his car. He decided to light up a cigarette. WELL there was an explosion that blew out the windows of his car. Lucky for him he survived with only some burns. Never heard a follow up on the news about this guy.

cheezhed · November 25, 2023 3:46PM

I cover a small container with tinfoil when using acetone all the time.

Goldbully · November 25, 2023 3:47PM

I've used these 2 oz. disposable Jello shot cups and lids with no problem.

The acetone didn't react with the plastic material that I could see.

gonzer · November 25, 2023 3:48PM

Now, if you were old school you'd be asking about TIN foil.

kaz · November 25, 2023 3:51PM

I use a small glass bowl ( pyrex, I think) bought a set at the grocery store. I just cover with a teacup saucer. I don't see why Al. foil should be a problem, though

Martin · November 25, 2023 4:12PM

@Goldbully It would be interested to know what those cups are made of.
I’d be really hesitant to put acetone or keystone in those.

Also do you really need to soak coins that long in acetone? I really don’t know but I think the longer you do it the more luster burn you would get.

Martin

ThreeCentSilverFL · November 25, 2023 4:24PM

I know this doesn't help with the OP's question, but I remember when we were kids we loaded little aluminum foil balls into a 2 liter bottle, dropped in some muriatic acid from the pool shed, closed the top of the 2 liter and chucked the whole thing in the pond. Boom. Please don't tell my kids.

PillarDollarCollector · November 25, 2023 4:25PM

I let them soak for 6 hours each side. Was just a guess.

PillarDollarCollector · November 25, 2023 4:27PM

@gumby1234 said:
Some rust may have fallen in, but once you rinse the coins whatever was still in the acetone should come off the coin.

Do you rinse with tap water or fresh acetone? I do both. Start with water then acetone.

gumby1234 · November 25, 2023 4:29PM

Just some cold tap water here then pat dry with a soft bath towel.

PillarDollarCollector · November 25, 2023 5:44PM

@gumby1234 said:
Just some cold tap water here then pat dry with a soft bath towel.

Thanks

crazyhounddog · November 25, 2023 6:01PM

@Herb_T said:
In my previous life we regularly had liquid paint (as opposed to powder paint) and solvents running through various aluminum components. No problem. Aluminum 6061-T6.

6061 alloy with the tinsel strength of 6 seems a bit high for aluminum foil. Don’t ya think? If that rings true I sure don’t get it.

MWallace · November 25, 2023 6:20PM

I put my coins in a small glass storage bowl with relatively straight sides. I put foil over the top and form it tightly around the rim of the bowl and them put a rubber band around it to keep it tight. I've only done it for a couple days of soaking, but I don't see why it couldn't be done for longer.

Steven59 · November 25, 2023 7:53PM

How the heck long does one soak coins to have acetone evaporate with some kind of a lid on it?

PillarDollarCollector · November 25, 2023 8:00PM

@Steven59 said:
How the heck long does one soak coins to have acetone evaporate with some kind of a lid on it?

Maybe the lids are not 100% sealed (I tight them as much as I can and there is no smell) I do my coins for 6 hours each side with new acetone when I turn the coin over. Maybe I need better seals.

Steven59 · November 25, 2023 8:11PM

I'm just saying acetone doesn't evaporate that fast as others make it seem like - unless of course you leave a jar totally uncovered overnight.

PillarDollarCollector · November 25, 2023 8:23PM

@Steven59 said:
I'm just saying acetone doesn't evaporate that fast as others make it seem like - unless of course you leave a jar totally uncovered overnight.

Most likely when I clean it and put it upside down the acetone touches the lid. Live and learn as they say. Now I know not to do that.

cladking · November 26, 2023 7:09AM

Aluminum foil > @Steven59 said:

How the heck long does one soak coins to have acetone evaporate with some kind of a lid on it?

Even a pin hole in a plastic covering and you'll notice it evaporating. I do some soaks for weeks and it can completely evaporate. This is especially problematical if you use the acetone over and over because the contaminants in it become more concentrated as the acetone evaporates.

cladking · November 26, 2023 7:11AM

Acetone isn't supposed to be hazardous to your health but if you don't cover it then it will be a large component (by volume) of your indoor air pollution in the winter.

Tom147 · November 26, 2023 8:05AM

A few years ago I done some experimenting with ugly / toned circ. 90%. Acetone in small covered glass bowls, 3 coins per container. Variable was the time immersed. To many different times to list here but the main conclusion was anything over 30 minutes saw no appreciable difference and those that were immersed for 4 to 7 days ( my maximum time ) showed a noticeable loss of luster. Acetone for the longer dip times was changed daily. Now I know it's not laboratory based but I tried to have as few variables as possible. The biggest being the crud/toning. Tried to sort the toning of the 3 coins per container into one with very little dirt/toning, one moderate and one really cruddy coin. My conclusion, when I do dip coins ( which isn't often ) 30 minutes is my maximum. mostly less. Rinse with new acetone, then distilled water, then dry between folds of a cotton towel. Others may not agree, and that's O.K. This system works for me.

NorthStar · November 26, 2023 9:32AM

Just a thought from the rookie...
I used to work at an automotive paint store. We would sell hard plastic cups for mixing paint and solvents. Most had a lid to preserve the paint for future use. Has anyone used them for a soak? Would they be less likely to scratch your coins?

johnny010 · November 26, 2023 10:00AM

Any before and after photos of coins?

Mr_Spud · November 26, 2023 10:42AM

Polystyrene plastic dissolves in acetone. Polypropylene, hi density polyethylene (HDPE) and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) don’t dissolve in acetone but something may end up leaching out of them if the acetone is left in them for a very long time. One time I tried using a mason jar with its regular lid and the rubber gasket melted and oozed down into the acetone just from the vapors inside of the bottle.

Aluminum foil should be fine but may not give an airtight fit. I like glass though, and I like these small weighing glass bottles because they are all glass and because they are so small you can easily soak a coin in less than a tablespoon of acetone.

PillarDollarCollector · November 26, 2023 1:08PM

@Mr_Spud said:
Polystyrene plastic dissolves in acetone. Polypropylene, hi density polyethylene (HDPE) and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) don’t dissolve in acetone but something may end up leaching out of them if the acetone is left in them for a very long time. One time I tried using a mason jar with its regular lid and the rubber gasket melted and oozed down into the acetone just from the vapors inside of the bottle.

Aluminum foil should be fine but may not give an airtight fit. I like glass though, and I like these small weighing glass bottles because they are all glass and because they are so small you can easily soak a coin in less than a tablespoon of acetone.

Thanks just ordered those glass bottles you posted. Will use those from now on. Same type a little different that is all they had on amazon Canada. They are glass and full glass lids.

PillarDollarCollector · November 26, 2023 2:36PM

I am thinking the rust look was dirt that cam off the coins and when I cleaned the bottle and set them upside down on the lid part for a few hours the ''dirt'' showed there and a bit on the glass in that area as well. Must be ''dirt'' the acetone took off some of my coins. It was brownish and had some a but on the glass top part as well were the lid is closed.

PillarDollarCollector · November 26, 2023 2:46PM

I imagine acetone does take off other stuff on coins and not just PVC correct?

Tom147 · November 26, 2023 3:56PM

Yes it does. PVC, light dirt, etc.

PillarDollarCollector · November 26, 2023 4:17PM

@Tom147 said:
Yes it does. PVC, light dirt, etc.

That is most likely the case light dirt came off and looked like rust I clean my lids today and it easily came off with rubbing alcohol.

Steven59 · November 26, 2023 4:21PM

@cladking

'' I do some soaks for weeks and it can completely evaporate. "

What type of coins need that long of a soak? Ancients?

Tom147 · November 26, 2023 6:11PM

Haven't done any ancients. I could see an extended dip time on centuries old crud.

cladking · November 26, 2023 8:17PM

If you have it plastic wrap is > @Steven59 said:

@cladking

'' I do some soaks for weeks and it can completely evaporate. "

What type of coins need that long of a soak? Ancients?

Most ancients that need a long soak are in olive oil.

Most of the coins that need a long soak in acetone are cu/ ni proofs.

Problem coins can be had pretty cheaply and many of them don't require much effort to look right. Often it's just a matter of covering up bad cleanings or removing PVC or contaminants. Probably three out four coins that are being "given away" by the market can look normal again. a lot of cu/ ni proofs can't be cleaned. A lot of German states coppers need long soaks in acetone or olive oil. Some BU mint set cents require long soaks in acetone.

Is it OK to cover a glass bowl with aluminum foil while bathing a coin in acetone?

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