Cleaning PVC Green From Coins

PVC definitely needs to be removed from any coin. Unfortunately, those coins may have already incurred some damage/pitting and loss of luster from the PVC- you will want to make the owner aware of that before you start. However, it is also entirely possible the the surfaces of the coins will come out OK after conservation. Acetone will not harm the coins so soak them as long as you feel they need. In most cases, the acetone will dissolve organic matter in five minutes or less. Normally a qtip is not a good thing to use due to the potential to create hairlines but removing the green slime is a more pressing concern. Only use the qtip in wet conditions, never rub it dry and only give it the lightest touch when wet(coin and qtip). The final rinse is an important step and make sure that rinse stays fresh.

Of course, always remember that acetone fumes are flammable so use in a well ventilated area away from ignition sources. The fumes can also be a bit intoxicating so make sure you take fresh air breathers every so often. Acetone is not too harmful on your skin but it will strip the essential oils off so your skin will be quite dry afterwards.

Good luck

Acetone is about all you can do to coins like that. I've always heard a 10-15 second soak. Well, that's great if it works.

Usually I can get away with that at work with the carefull aid of a qtip. Toughest areas are around the rims and edges. If you have to soak them longer I say go for it. The coins won't heal themselves after all.

I've soaked coins well over an hour on a few occasions. What else can you do?

Two Possibilities, which were mentioned above, You may be seeing the thin layer of permanent corrosion which might need some dipping substance to remove, or it might just need more acetone, but I rather doubt it, as usually it does a complete job of what it can do.

My question is about the part you say


did you rinse the coin first with clean acetone solution before rinsing with water? If you blotted the coin with a q-tip, the acetone/pvc solution could have quickly flashed, leaving the lesser concentration of pvc back on the surface. When I use acetone soak, I then stand the coin on end, or hold upright and rise it with clean acetone, and then if one wishes distilled water, but I prefer not to do that unless I have lab grade distilled water. This clean acetone vertical rinse is very needed for Proofs or PL surfaces also.

Jim

Keep dipping it in acetone, and maybe try to get a small soft camel's hair brush (like artist's paintbrushes) and use that instead of the Q-tip. Keep the brush clean by constantly rinsing it in new acetone. I've had great results doing that.

I assume you do change the Acetone. Remember that Acetone absorbs that grees stuff and it is now in suspension in the Acetone. Redipping in the same Acetone is like taking a bath in dirty water. Yes you can get most of the dirt off your body but there is still dirt left from the dirty water you started with. Same with the Acetone. If you've used some, discard and redip in a new batch. Do not reuse the same on any coins. Attempt not to use Qtips or anything else unless your really carefull. Try rinsing with distilled water between each dip in the Acetone.

I would suggest not posting things like this. Try to remember there are numerous differnt ages and types of people on this forum. The younger ones might attempt this without knowing how volitile Acetone is and over a stove such heating is dangerous. Also, note the details left out such as not using metalic containers for the Acetone. Having a really good fan exhaust hood over that burner on the stove. Wearing safety glasses. The necessity of protective gloves and the type of instruments to be used for handling the coins. Some or many may well be aware of all this but every day there are many new, younger, excessively older individuals joining forums like this for the first time.

Alcohol is a less-optimum solution for PVC than acetone - although isopropyl alcohol will soften PVC, I don't know how effective it would be at removing the bled vinyl chloride which is the actual cause of the residue we love to hate.

Give it a shot - it won't hurt the coins - but I'm thinking if acetone won't do it, you're in a world of hurt. If the "infestation" is serious enough, you'll be wanting to change the solution frequently - as much as every hour in the first few hours - and swish the coin around prior to moving to the new solution.

I wouldn't recommend rubbing alcohol because some brands contain non-volatile additives that will remain on the coin after the soak. I would stick with acetone.

One suggestion: if you use a straight-sided glass for the acetone soak, you can cover it tightly with aluminum foil and use a heavy rubber band to seal the foil against the outside of the glass. With this arrangement you can continue the soak for days and the acetone won't evaporate. Whenever you are ready, take out the coin and give it a final rinse using fresh acetone.