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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,363 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1187 Posts |
Hello - I have never dipped a coin before but have been saving up until I had enough to make the task worth it. I am looking for help on a few things.. the process itself and if these coins are good candidates. 1) I understand I need pure acetone from the hardware store. Can I put it in one of those plastic tupperwares or will it melt through it? 2) What do I use to handle the coins as I place and remove them from the acetone? Some kind of prongs? 3) Am I suppose to lightly scrape/poke at the coin to remove any debris? What do I use? Toothpick? Q-Tip? 4) Once done, do I just dump distilled water from a bottle on them and let them dry by air or do I pat them dry (if so, using what)? Lastly... do these coins need a "bath"? Would it help? I feel most of these are at least AU so if I can save them without giving them the "details" designation I would do it. Thanks in advance for any/all help! 1) Black spots on reverse of Peace dollar 2) Light green tint on a WL  3) Green spot on a Peace dollar 4) Black spots (bad toning?) on Franklins      5) Green gunk on a Franklin  |
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Rest in Peace
10197 Posts |
OH! Just really read your post...acetone won't do a thing! You said "dip", that is a chemical treatment, not a cleaner. the response below is for a "DIP"! All acetone does is remove organic matter such as grease, not corrosion. I'll explain how to use actone below the "Dip" response:
(Those heavy crusty black spots have killed those coin, you can try, but will have a very pitted area under that corrosion. It has already changed the metal, deeply. The 55 and first 49 Franklin may survive as a nice coin, but be two-toned as luster. The Walker and 2nd Peace may survive and clean up but the 1st peace will pit badly and will lose all original luster.)
(Remember a dip removes surface metal as well as crud. It it this texture of the original stamped finish that produces luster, not a clean coin. You probably know that, but have to say it! You may as well "experiment", since all these are candidates for the scrap heap anyway, melt at best. If you want to hoard them, may as well be Purdy!)
Cleaning grease and crud(not corrosion)
Acetone in a GLASS container only, well ventilated in a flame free zone!
let the coins remain submersed over night 12-24 hours in garage, covered container
Use a toothpick to lightly remove any still stuck on stuff, if it won't come off like that, it will need chemical remover.
Put in clean distilled water swirl around and at most just tap dry with a fiber less towel. Make sure you change the water often, same with the acetone, don't use it for another batch of coins, any impurities may get transferred.
Edited by Crazyb0
05/18/2018 6:42 pm
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Rest in Peace
United States
17900 Posts |
 black = dead. Never had any luck with anything black. You have the acetone down. I use my wife's hair dryer after pure water wash. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
18456 Posts |
Looks like your going to have a problem . These coins will not benefit from just an acetone dip or soak . If any coins are uncirculated then I would give a couple of dips in acetone then a dip or two in a silver dip that removes tarnish . They might not come out completely free of all that black but they should look better . Don't over dip on the silver dip as it also removes small thin layers of the coins surface . This is just my opinion on what I would do if those coins were mine .  |
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Rest in Peace
United States
233 Posts |
Q/ Wouldn't a hair dryer deposit much more dust on the target than passive air drying?
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1187 Posts |
Thanks for the info. I was afraid many of these couldn't be salvaged but as mentioned, maybe they will be good to experiment on :). I am shocked to hear they are "melt at best" though, especially that Walking Liberty. Aside from some faint green tint, it has awesome details and looks to be an original surface.
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Valued Member
299 Posts |
The coins display various problems which, if acting as a conservator of something valuable or significant, would require different approaches to the methods employed.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Good luck - those Franklins will be a real challenge.
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Pillar of the Community
7234 Posts |
Quote:
Wouldn't a hair dryer deposit much more dust on the target than passive air drying? Only if you haven't cleaned your house for 5 years.  |
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,363 |
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Posted 05/18/2018 6:40 pm
