Question About 100% Pure Acetone

I have used both,100% pure nail polish remover as well as a can from the paint section at Walmart.
John1

, however I get it by the gallon....
If you buy the "nail polish" place a small amount in a dish and let it evaporate, then check for any left over residue...good luck

Two items; (1) use in well ventilated room and (2) do not use near spark source.

I've already gotten sick from sniffing the stuff for too long. And just for giggles I'll toss my used solution onto the pavement outside my house and light it on fire. The stuff burns so clear, you can't even see it burning. Very hot and extremely flammable.

Hardware store, Lowes, Menard's, Walmart etc. look in the paint departmen. And it will almost certainly be cheaper than nail polish remover as well.

And I warn you, acetone is good for removing grease and oil from coins but it is not a miracle worker. It won't remove stains, tarnish, restore luster etc. I say this because a lot of new collectors hear people talking about acetone and get the idea it can do anything.

FYI - posted all this info before b/c questions always seem to come up when people ask about acetone:

Walmart sells 100% acetone inexpensively in their health and beauty department as a fingernail polish remover, or its also sold the paint department (quart).


Do not use fingernail polish remover with added perfume or coloring in coins as those chemical might deposit on the coin.

I have used Walmart and/or dollar store 100% acetone on coins for years with absolutely no problems, and the 16 oz bottle lasts a long time.



Acetone evaporates quickly so the best way to use it for coins is to put some in the bottom of a lidded jar (like a baby food jar) and put the coin in.

Acetone cannot meddle with the metal of your medal (or coin)!

No need to rinse afterwards since the acetone totally evaporates off of the coin's surface.


"PURE" acetone is a relative term. Denatonium Benzoate, the most powerful bitterant known, is added to acetone in 10 parts per million so people will not drink the acetone. The chemical definition of "pure" acetone allows for 5000 parts per million. So don't worry when you see your 100% acetone has this additive listed on the bottle.

Acetone is not toxic. Otherwise there would be many reports of poisoned little girls having slumber parties coinciding with fingernail painting parties. Your body actually produces very tiny quantities, and acetone is also found in grapes.

If a person cannot help themselves, can endure the extreme bitterness, and absolutely MUST drink a bottle of acetone, then the Dr. will treat that person by letting the patient relax until the acetone is all naturally flushed from the body...life continues as normal.


Very helpful link for conserving coins from our own BadThad:
http://goccf.com/t/57008#447106

As noted any place that sells paint should have that.

Thanks so much everyone! I am trying to save some nice varieties from PVC damage caused by improper storage before they made it into my collection. I will certainly try Walmart, and take everything everyone said into account. Thanks again!

-CH27

In most cases a few seconds will do. If the PVC residue is very heavy or has died and caked on the coin it may take longer and you may want to change the acetone a time or two. If you are doing an extended soak gentle agitation of the acetone occasionally will also help. (If it is just left sitting the acetone close to the coin can become saturated with the contaminate and the process slows down, agitation exposes the coin to fresh acetone.)

As far as safely removing the coin, I just use my fingers. Acetone won't hurt them, and it will strip the skin oils etc. off your fingers as well so you won't leave fingerprints. I would still do my best to pick it up by the edges though.