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 Replies: 25 / Views: 9,581 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
617 Posts |
Does anyone know how to remove the green "gunk" from pennies?
Thanks
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5825 Posts |
If it's "gunk" it's probably the result of PVC contamination.
An acetone bath should take care of that.
If it's crusty it's probably verdigris.
That's a bit more difficult to deal with.
I believe ver-d-care (sp?) will handle that.
In both cases damage has at least started.
The sooner you take care of it the better off your coins will be.
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
 That which thou doest, do quickly...  |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1442 Posts |
Goo-Gone!  Edited by canadian-varieties
12/08/2017 9:04 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
3234 Posts |
 There is green ,..and there is other green..Not all greens are created equal.. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
683 Posts |
Acetone, probably best to avoid goo-gone in my opinion.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12477 Posts |
Personally, I would start with pure acetone. That will take care of PVC residue if that's what it is. If it is verdigris, then I would use Verdi-Care on it. It won't remove the damage done but, it will halt the corrosion process.
In Memory of Crazyb0 12-26-1951 to 7-27-2020
In Memory of Tootallious 3-31-1964 to 4-15-2020
In Memory of T-BOP 10-12-1949 to 1-19-2024
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1442 Posts |
try acetone, goo-gone and let us know how it went... but be careful, there are a lot of loud-mouth and extremely rude people on here who like to move in packs like a mob, and who may attack you if you say the wrong thing... a self-appointed thought police if you will...dont let them silence you.  Edited by canadian-varieties
12/09/2017 12:27 am
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
5394 Posts |
If the gunk is a soft pliable Green you should be able to remove it quite easily.
Many ways to remove it safely. Acetone is one of them, lots of others work as well.
No comment on Goo Gone , Verdicare or other materials save to say they work in some cases.
In the old days the real Blue Ribbon with trichlorethane 1-1-1 was awesome, worked exceptionally well.
Now it is as rare as hens teeth due to the banning of Trichlorethane as harmful to the ozone.
The hard Green stuff is virtually impossible as the verdigris has eaten in to the coin .
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
IF you try Goo Gone do it on a junk coin first. Goo Gone is not pure acetone,it has other stuff in it. Also post before and after pics please.
John1
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
683 Posts |
Quote:
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but be careful, there are a lot of loud-mouth and extremely rude people on here who like to move in packs like a mob, and who may attack you if you say the wrong thing...
a self-appointed thought police if you will...dont let them silence you. What are you on about this time?! This person asked what we think would best be used to remove "green gunk" (most likely PVC residue or corrosion) and we told the op what we thought. People having different opinions on works than yours is not being a "thought police" because, believe or not, other numismatists have differing opinions, shock I know... Oh and way to paint a nice picture of the forum, making it look like a forum full of jerks and bullies. It really goes to show how much you think of this forum and its members, just because some people have the au-DACITY... To have a differing opinion than your own. |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
5585 Posts |
As others have stated .. if it's the soft, oily green stuff, it's PVC contamination and easily removed with acetone (try to get 100% proof from hardware store, not nail polish remover). You may see a little discoloration once it's off depending on how long it's been there. If it's hard and crusty, acetone won't remove it all, so do as suggested above with verdi-care. Under the hard/crusty stuff, it will have already started to eat the metal and you most probably will have discoloration and pitting. I'd advise you to stay away from goo-gone.
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Valued Member
Canada
243 Posts |
Hey guys and gals
Along the same line of questioning, I rediscovered some nickels that I had put away (1940 - 1953) and found there was rust spots on some of them. Would vertical-care help remove that? Acetone didn't seem to remove anything from the coins I used it on.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1326 Posts |
Quote:
try to get 100% proof [acetone] from hardware store, not nail polish remover Not too long ago I checked out the varieties of nail polish removers at a Dollar General. They actually did have a "professional strength" that is pure acetone. It's container was smaller and easier to pour than the paint store's container that I have since bought. And the unit price was no higher -- probably a bit lower. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Strongly recommend Verdi-Care.
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
617 Posts |
Thank you very much to all for your helpful responses. I should have been more clear about the problem. These pennies were stored in a low grade plastic holder that I bought on the cheap. When I first started organizing coins I stared with pennies and I started cheap, I stored them in a cupboard in my basement. So the issue is a combination on damp and poor plastic. As for the green gunk it can be wiped off with a paper towel and so from you comments I'm guessing it is PVC residue.
I will pick up some acetone and give that a try later on this week. I will post some before and after pics.
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Replies: 25 / Views: 9,581 |
Posted 12/08/2017 8:43 pm
