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 Replies: 7 / Views: 5,837 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1195 Posts |
Alright, I see the practioners of the acetone wash method of "cleaning" coins seem to be divided on whether to use water or fresh acetone in the rinse cycle. I'm a little confused as to the rationales for both camps. Can you enlighten me and the rest of us, please?  Edited by argentum
10/30/2012 11:17 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3546 Posts |
Hello,
When choosing between acetone and water keep in mind, first of all, that acetone should never be used around a source of ignition (static electricity, flame, burning cigarette etc.) which could cause it to possibly self ignite.
Acetone can also cause damage to one's respiratory tract if inhaled excessively.
Acetone is a solvent and not at all like water which is simultaneously both an acid (H+: 1- 7 PH) and a base(OH-: 8 â€" 14 PH).
Acetone will virtually never damage the luster/toning of silver coins, for example.
As opposed to water acetone will remove anything organic like lighter fluid, an oil-based solvent that could be used to remove plastic-type crud often found on coins.
Water would be preferred as a final rinse to remove mild acids like vinegar or muriatic acid when exposing hidden Buffalo dates, for example.
Technically, water does not ‘remove' these mild acids but instead creates a homogenous polar(intermingling of free hydrogen ions) solution which is the nearest explanation to the saying, ‘like dissolves like'...
IMHO
mdpmedia
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3546 Posts |
Hello again,
I do need to clarify one statement I previously stated above.
For anyone interested in diving into the details acetone is actually more precisely known as an 'organic' solvent composed of linked carbon(C) molecules which is the reason it more easily removes or dissolves lighter fluid which is also composed of carbon molecules:
acetone chemical formula: (CH3)2CO
charcoal lighter fluid signature: a mixture of aliphatic hydrocarbons
Whether one is talking about the universal solvent, water, or acetone the same rule always applies: 'like dissolves like'
In summary water(non-organic) lacks any carbon infrastructure and consequently will not dissolve in any organic compounds such as MEK, Freon or lighter fluid used in the original explanation etc.
mdpmedia
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19961 Posts |
ALWAYS use acetone as a final rinse and NEVER water. Water is THE catalyst for corrosion. Acetone will completely dehydrate the surfaces, eliminating water, and will reduce the chances of corrosion.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
526 Posts |
My head hurts after reading this.  |
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Moderator
 United States
188952 Posts |
Quote:
ALWAYS use acetone as a final rinse and NEVER water. Water is THE catalyst for corrosion. Acetone will completely dehydrate the surfaces, eliminating water, and will reduce the chances of corrosion. Quoted for truth!  |
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Moderator
United States
23522 Posts |
I tend to rinse the initial dip with full-pressure tap water to help blow off anything still clinging to the coin, and then a final rinse in acetone which will displace the water.
Acetone last, always, either way.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1195 Posts |
OK, so we have a pattern:
1) Acetone washing(s) for brunt of organic contaminants.
2) water rinse of ionic/polar contaminates that acetone did not take care of.
3) Acetone final rinse to drive off water and dissolve away remaining organic residues.
So what say those that think a final rinse = water is the best? Or have they been persuaded against those beliefs by this thread?
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Replies: 7 / Views: 5,837 |
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Posted 10/30/2012 11:40 pm
