So what's the proper way to use EZ-est?

Prethen · July 18, 2005 2:24AM

Assumption #1: I WILL be dipping...don't say not to dip!
Assumption #2: I will only dip coins that I can afford to "crap up".
Assumption #3: Dipping might be evil, but READ Assumption #1

I'm going to do a little practice dipping for the first time. I have an AU Walker with some blacked toning areas that I'd like to see if I can remove. Plus, I have a proof Roosevelt (1964) that's acquired some not-so-nice toning. I'm borrowing the dip from someone else to play with it for a week or so. How do I try to assure that I'm NOT dipping off the luster or mirrors? How long should my first dip(s) be? What's the best way to dip the coin; using what type of "tool"?

I really want to preserve luster and original surfaces as much as possible, so any comments from experience could be hugely helpful here.

Thanks,
Bruce

dthigpen · July 18, 2005 2:25AM

Dilute it. Then EZ-est -> Acetone -> Distilled Water.

Prethen · July 18, 2005 2:28AM

<< Dilute it. Then EZ-est -> Acetone -> Distilled Water. >>

What's the proper dilution percentage? What type of receptacle should I use to pour the dip into? What's the best way to spill/pour/"spoon" the dip into the receptacle?

Prethen · July 18, 2005 5:03AM

Anyone else? There's got to be some dippers here!

RobJ · July 18, 2005 5:09AM

<< Anyone else? There's got to be some dippers here! >>

There a number of "Dip's" here on the forum

billboat · July 18, 2005 5:13AM

WHEN I do it, I use wooden or plastic tweezers and immerse the coin for no more than a second--thats in and out in one motion. I follow with tap water and then distilled--pat dry gently then air dry--don't use a hair dryer. For minor ugly spots a Q-Tip dipped in EZ-est works.

Prethen · July 18, 2005 5:22AM

<< WHEN I do it, I use wooden or plastic tweezers and immerse the coin for no more than a second--thats in and out in one motion. I follow with tap water and then distilled--pat dry gently then air dry--don't use a hair dryer. For minor ugly spots a Q-Tip dipped in EZ-est works. >>

I was told that the directions say to dip anywhere from 15-45(!) seconds. I knew that seemed a bit long by what I've heard about dipping removing luster. How can 1 second do a heck of a lot? I guess, I could always try 1 second and see if the results are satisfactory and do it again (and again) as necessary.

billboat · July 18, 2005 5:43AM

IMHO if you leave a silver coin in for 15 to 45 seconds it will be DEAD! Very clean but very dead. Try it with a cheap silver dime and see.

Edit: Also, buy your own jar--it's best to use fresh product--you don't know how old your friends is and what he may have dipped in the jar, etc. Bill

Prethen · July 18, 2005 5:50AM

<< IMHO if you leave a silver coin in for 15 to 45 seconds it will be DEAD! Very clean but very dead. Try it with a cheap silver dime and see.

Edit: Also, buy your own jar--it's best to use fresh product--you don't know how old your friends is and what he may have dipped in the jar, etc. Bill >>

He just got it and dipped a few gold Indians in it. I'm definitely excited about experimenting with it. Watch out collection....here I come!

billboat · July 18, 2005 5:59AM

<< 

<< IMHO if you leave a silver coin in for 15 to 45 seconds it will be DEAD! Very clean but very dead. Try it with a cheap silver dime and see.

Edit: Also, buy your own jar--it's best to use fresh product--you don't know how old your friends is and what he may have dipped in the jar, etc. Bill >>

He just got it and dipped a few gold Indians in it. I'm definitely excited about experimenting with it. Watch out collection....here I come! >>

Have a good time! Here's another idea--try soaking (for a few minutes) funky silver coins in sudsy ammonia, then distilled water. I had a scuzzy but nice raw 1886 Morgan that came out of a dealers $12 box, come out beautifully and slab at MS65 using that method.

dizzyfoxx · July 18, 2005 6:00AM

Wow, I just responded to another post with the same message...

Two very important words!... original surfaces!!!

Prethen · July 18, 2005 6:08AM

<< Wow, I just responded to another post with the same message...

Two very important words!... original surfaces!!!

>>

Two additional words..."Not anymore!"

dizzyfoxx · July 18, 2005 6:17AM

<< 

<< Wow, I just responded to another post with the same message...

Two very important words!... original surfaces!!!

>>

Two additional words..."Not anymore!" >>

Like they say at the burger joint, "Have it your way"

Russ · July 18, 2005 6:30AM

<< pat dry gently >>

Great way to add those ever in demand hairlines to a coin.

Russ, NCNE

nesvt · July 18, 2005 6:32AM

I'm interested in this as well.

Is the 1 second recommendation for an undiluted solution?

I recall another forum member saying he used a 10% solution (1 part EZ-est, 9 parts water) and never exceeded 15 seconds.

Russ · July 18, 2005 6:36AM

<< Is the 1 second recommendation for an undiluted solution? >>

There is no hard and fast rule. The length of time will vary depending on the nature and degree of the surface contaminants. It will also vary based on the delicacy of the coin's surfaces.

Russ, NCNE

Prethen · July 18, 2005 6:39AM

<< 

<< Is the 1 second recommendation for an undiluted solution? >>

There is no hard and fast rule. The length of time will vary depending on the nature and degree of the surface contaminants. It will also vary based on the delicacy of the coin's surfaces.

Russ, NCNE >>

Can you give some examples, such as MS vs PRF coins? Light toning vs. heavy toning vs. spot toned coins? Your experiences might help some of us dipping neophytes from making some of the same mistakes you might have earlier on.

billboat · July 18, 2005 6:46AM

<< 

<< pat dry gently >>

Great way to add those ever in demand hairlines to a coin.

Russ, NCNE >>

Russ--

"Pat" does not equal "rub" does not equal "hairlines"---and on another note I recall one author who recommends a "7 percent solution".

Bill

Russ · July 18, 2005 6:47AM

<< Can you give some examples, such as MS vs PRF coins? >>

The fact is I have to be looking at a coin in hand to be able to a) determine if a dip will even do any good, and b) determine the dilution level and dip time.

In the most general of terms, a business strike coin can stand a longer period than a proof coin. A light haze is a very quick dip. Heavy toning requires the longest, but if it's too heavy the length of time necessary to remove the toning will impair the luster (business strike) or ruin the mirrors (proof). Milk spots won't dip, water spots usually will. Glue spots are a 50/50 proposition.

Russ, NCNE

Russ · July 18, 2005 6:49AM

<< Russ--

"Pat" does not equal "rub" does not equal "hairlines"--- >>

Patting dry can, and will, produce hairlines if done incorrectly. It is dangerous to recommend it to a dipping newb.

Russ, NCNE

BowTieCoins2 · July 18, 2005 6:51AM

Try a hair dryer

billboat · July 18, 2005 6:58AM

A hair dryer can blow impurities from the heating coil onto the surface of the coin--or so I'm told. Have used one in the past but won't in future.

Edit--and Russ, you're right--patting can be done incorrectly--my bad. BUT if done correctly isn't a problem in my opinion.

Prethen · July 18, 2005 6:59AM

<< A hair dryer can blow impurities from the heating coil onto the surface of the coin--or so I'm told. Have used one in the past but won't in future. >>

Logic would seem to dictate that using a hair dryer on a proof could be a very tragic move.

BowTieCoins2 · July 18, 2005 7:06AM

Ya, you wouldn't really want to use it on anything of value, but if your experimenting. There are all kinds of hair dryers now days to, you can get one that blows real soft, and hot or cold.

billboat · July 18, 2005 7:15AM

<< Ya, you wouldn't really want to use it on anything of value, but if your experimenting. There are all kinds of hair dryers now days to, you can get one that blows real soft, and hot or cold. >>

Still blows air over the coil--but then again, to each their own. I've never seen problems but since I was informed I've chosen to let coins air dry for several hours.

mnmcoin · July 18, 2005 12:19PM

Sorry, can't help ya, I am a dealer and we never dip coins!

morris <><

ps, sorry, couldn't resist the thick sarcastic humor

mnmcoin · July 18, 2005 12:21PM

Seriously though, most of what the other people said should get you started. I will add this though, I defintely recommend diluting at least 3 to 1 when used with non silver coins, ie post 1970 copper nickel coins, especially on proofs, it seems to eat really badly into the mirrors on non silver proof coins.

mo <><

Newmismatist · July 18, 2005 12:44PM

<< what's the proper way to use EZ-est >>

VERRRY Carefully

Myqqy · July 18, 2005 12:51PM

I'm curious if anybody reading this has had some experience removing partial fingerprints on silver coins with a q-tip and ez-est? I'm wondering how easy, or difficult that process is........

Russ · July 18, 2005 12:56PM

This one will be seeing some dip action:

Russ, NCNE

AlixTCat · July 18, 2005 1:42PM

I just got my e-Z-est product and I could not be happier with the results. I used it full strength for 15 seconds. It BROUGHT out the luster, did not destroy it. All the coins I dipped look much better than they did before. (personal opinion... there are many coins I would not dip, but the 1964 Kennedy's and two 1934 Peace dollars look 100% better all white.) I tried 5 seconds first, no results. I tried 10 seconds and not all the tarnish (toning) came off. After 15 seconds the coins were sparkling clean and loads of luster. I can't imagine 1 second in a highly diluted solution would do anything, but to each his own. Practice on some coins that are not valuable (goes without saying!)

As for removing fingerprints with e-Z-est and a Q-tip, you use acetone and you don't use a Q-tip, that will leave hairlines. Completely cover the coin with acetone and soak for a few seconds to a few minutes. I have never had a problem with surface damage and acetone.

YMMV, experiment.

Jonathan

mercurydimeguy · July 19, 2005 12:58AM

To dry, buy a can of compressed air at Staples...the kind you use on your computer keyboard, etc. It does an EXCELLENT job. I like it because it almost instantly removes all liquid from the surfaces of the coin.

Prethen · July 19, 2005 2:20AM

Anyone feel anything is wrong with using this stuff at full strength and just dipping for 1 second?

moneyhungry · July 19, 2005 7:38AM

<< Wow, I just responded to another post with the same message...

Two very important words!... original surfaces!!!

>>

Still a " NEWBIE" -------What is EZ? Is it like Tarnex? What will dipping do? I was told by an older friend, never clean the coins, some of my coins are dull, no shine, I would like them to look better..but don't know how, or even if I should. Thank You all in advanced!!!

So what's the proper way to use EZ-est?

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