How to remove waxy-looking residue after an acetone dip?
PreTurb
Posts: 1,195 ✭✭✭
After a lengthy acetone dip to remove an old sloppy lacquer job, there remains a waxy-looking residue in the crevices. It can be removed with a toothpick, but I'd rather dissolve it than start scraping like crazy. Has anyone tried using a more aggressive solvent such as lacquer thinner to dissolve this stubborn material? Rubbing alcohol? Gasoline? Bacardi 151? I am working with a copper/bronzed medal with no red copper visible (fully brown/bronzed).
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<< <i>After a lengthy acetone dip to remove an old sloppy lacquer job, there remains a waxy-looking residue in the crevices. It can be removed with a toothpick, but I'd rather dissolve it than start scraping like crazy. Has anyone tried using a more aggressive solvent such as lacquer thinner to dissolve this stubborn material? Rubbing alcohol? Gasoline? Bacardi 151? I am working with a copper/bronzed medal with no red copper visible (fully brown/bronzed). >>
Sounds like you need a second soak in acetone.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
I held the medal obverse up in a deep wash basin, one of those in the basement, and poured some
91% Isopropyl Alcohol from about 2 feet above letting it really splash on the medal. It worked for me.
I got that gunk to come off. I then rinsed in water then again in acetone and the medal came out nice.
edited to add - I did this after a long acetone soak which really loosened up the gunk.
<< <i>That lacquer can be thick. I have had this happen with an old bronze papal medal I needed to conserve.
I held the medal obverse up in a deep wash basin, one of those in the basement, and poured some
91% Isopropyl Alcohol from about 2 feet above letting it really splash on the medal. It worked for me.
I got that gunk to come off. I then rinsed in water then again in acetone and the medal came out nice.
edited to add - I did this after a long acetone soak which really loosened up the gunk. >>
Perhaps a long soak in acetone followed with a blast of compress air taking care to wear eye protection and holding the coin very securely would help get rid of any remaining gunk.
Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may not owe.
"Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value---zero."----Voltaire
"Everything you say should be true, but not everything true should be said."----Voltaire
<< <i>Thanks! Starting a long second soak right now. >>
Waterpik and bacardi 151.
May not help the coin, but you won't have gingivitis and you'll be happy about it!
Lanlord... I'll have to mention that to my dentist!
A second or third dip in acetone is required using fresh acetone each time.
The name is LEE!
You are absolutely right... not for sale at any price!
<< <i>uhhh....I don't believe that I will be a buyer for that piece...too bad tpg's don't warn us on their label that the coin has been cleaned....wait they do
....a great ..
That said, I wouldn't recommend blasting compressed air on a recently-acetone'd coin. It can blast particles onto the surface and when it dries it can cause pitting and unwanted marks.
-D
-Aristotle
Dum loquimur fugerit invida aetas. Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero.
-Horace
Use pure warm water (I'd be careful of using pure acetone due to the potential fire hazard) and give that a try. I think it might loosen the crud without resorting to more mechanical methods. I'd stay away from other organic solvents - at least for now.
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