Cleaning Process

That's it, thank you very much.

Keep in mind, you say "clean some bad off coins", acetone is a pretty weak solvent. If you post some pictures of the coins, it would be easier to suggest a process before you potentially waste your time and acetone. In general, I always recommend following the polarity ladder:

1) distilled or deionized water
2) acetone
3) xylene

I just want to add three minor modifications to my process.
1) The cork stopper will break down over time, I need a better container.
2) My first acetone purchase was nail polish remover. Despite the label, it has additives.
As I am almost out, I will consider something like pure acetone from the paint department at Wall*Mart. About $6.88 per quart. Then the nail polish remover bottle becomes my first rinse container with a screw on cap.
3) Saran wrap to cover the containers will save on a lot of evaporation when immersing for extended periods.

Thanks Earl, The ONYX nail polish remover is about half price. And I am always in favor of a savings, plus it stores easier, and is easier to pour.
However, I have been reluctant to use it because I thought it contained additives, possibly from a Super Dave post. Shared thoughts are appreciated

I.ve kept it on for 24 hrs, and it didn't seem to soften or erode. It was a concern of mine as well, but appears to be safe. Maybe I should do some more scientific testing, just to be sure.

The bottles I get from Walmart say 100% pure.

You do not want added fragrance or coloring. I also do not believe bottles with these additives are sold as being 100% pure.

Somewhere (I could not find it) on this forum was a discussion of purity b/c the 100% acetone I buy had an additive (sorry - its late and I am tired so I am not remembering even the name of the chemical) in it to make it too butter to drink.

In that post I did the research and a summary follows:
The chemical added is the most bitter chemical known (according to Wikipedia) and is so potent that the amount needed to make something unpalatable is so insignificantly small (and the amount put into the acetone I buy is so insignificantly small) that it is within legit tolerance levels to say the acetone is 100& pure.


Getting technical, even very expensive "100% pure" lab grade chemicals have tolerance levels for impurities and yet they are still labeled as "100% pure." I am not sure 100% purity - as an absolute - is possible (maybe with today's tech?... but I would hate to pay for the stuff!)

If you can find the post, the numbers are there - its pure.

I have been using this acetone now for around 2 years and have had no adverse affects and no residue can be seen when you let it evaporate in a glass dish.

$1.47/ 10 oz.