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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,243 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
717 Posts |
I've done the "acetone" Forum search & there is so much info, alot of it contradictory. I know about: use 100% pure acetone; don't use in metal containers or with metal utensils; be sure to use very carefully in ventilated area; don't mix different types of coins due to metal changes from one type affecting another type; don't rinse with tap water; etc. My questions: 1) Some say soak for 30 min., some say 1 hour or 2 hours, some say 24 hours. How long to soak the coin? 2) Some say only use a glass container. True? 3) Some say use an open container, some say use a closed, sealed container. Which one? 4) Some say rinse with distilled water, some say no rinse. Which one? 5) Some say do one coin at a time, some say you can do multiple coins of the same type. Which one? 6) Don't mix metals. Let's say I want to treat a Large Cent Coronet, a Lincoln Cent & a Two Cent coin together. Do I have to be particular with small differences in metal content? Any other questions I left out?  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
914 Posts |
1) After a few minutes, the acetone has done it's work. So I'll lean in the 30 minutes category.
2) I'd definitely use glass for non-reactivity and so you can see if there is any left over residue when it's done. Plus, easier to see when it's clean.
3) Closed container. Otherwise, it will all evaporate and leave the remains back on your coin.
4) Rinse to remove the contaminants that you just had on your coin, then quick dip back in acetone to remove the water. I typically don't rinse.
5) Multiple coins of the same metal should be just fine.
6) Small differences really shouldn't matter.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
it actually doesn't matter how long you leave it in the acetone, it will not harm the coin no matter if its left in there for 30 minutes or 30 days. If there are allot of stuff on a coin 30 minutes may not be sufficient (not sure really) I usually leave mine in the acetone about 24 hours if it needs a bath really bad
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19931 Posts |
1) Soak as long as you need to....Bryan is dead on.
2) Glass only, it's inert with acetone.
3) Closed container, WELL sealed or the contaminants will be redeposited on the coin.
4) Rinsing the water is completely unnecessary. As a chemist, I don't understand anyones logic in doing that.
5) Only do ONE coin at a time. If there is crud to be removed, you might saturate the acetone and you don't want them to bang against each other. Plus, there's a rare chance of a galvanic effect which could possibly cause damage.
Edited by BadThad
11/09/2007 1:31 pm
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
717 Posts |
quote:
3) Closed container, WELL sealed or the contaminants will be redeposited on the coin.
4) Rinsing the water is completely unnecessary. As a chemist, I don't understand anyones logic in doing that.
So what you're saying is that as long as there's a good amount of acetone in the container, the contaminants remain suspended in the acetone, making rinsing unnecessary. What do you fish out the coins with? A plastic spoon? Is that a no-no because it's not inert? Or OK because it's so brief? |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
914 Posts |
:) Listen to the chemist!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
717 Posts |
quote:
2) Glass only, it's inert with acetone.
What about plastic? Like those pharmacy pill bottles or Tupperware? I only ask because I see that the acetone bottle itself is made of plastic. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
The only rinse that I would recommend would be another quick dip in clean acetone to remove any dissolved contaminants from the acetone soaking. That should only be necessary if you are using the soak for multiple coins or a really filthy coin. As fas as plastic goes, #5 plastic(polypropylene) would be safe but it is opaque and I just like to be able to fully see what is going on so I prefer glass. Also, clear glass is good for the contamination evaporation test to see if the acetone is pure before you use it for the first time  I do not have to worry about that so much since I use analytical reagent grade chemicals but other sources do not always have that guarantee and should be tested first. Edited by biokemist6
11/09/2007 4:08 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
717 Posts |
Are pharmacy pill bottles or Tupperware made of #5 plastic(polypropylene)? If not, what are examples of what is?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19931 Posts |
quote:
So what you're saying is that as long as there's a good amount of acetone in the container, the contaminants remain suspended in the acetone, making rinsing unnecessary.
What do you fish out the coins with? A plastic spoon? Is that a no-no because it's not inert? Or OK because it's so brief?
If the acetone is turning a color, I'd soak and change it out and resoak. I've never had that happen. Yes, the contaminates will stay in the acetone. Unless it's saturated, it's not going to leave anything you'd notice on the coin. You can certainly rinse with acetone again. Here's a pic of the stuff I use:  I just pour out the acetone into the petri dish, collect the coin on a Kimwipe and pat it lightly. Here's a coin soaking:  |
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Moderator
 Australia
16806 Posts |
Re: compatibility of acetone with various plastics. Your best bet is to test it first, and see. Be aware that acetone can completely depolymerise certain types of plastic (the "reaction" between acetone and polystyrene foam can be quite impressive - and messy), so using acetone with the "wrong kind of plastic" will likely destroy that plastic object. It's best to stay away from plastic entirely, when you're dealing with organic solvents like acetone.
Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Rest in Peace
Australia
661 Posts |
Thank Go..... Heavens we have finally settled that one.
regards,
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,243 |
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Posted 11/08/2007 3:51 pm
