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 Replies: 39 / Views: 3,682 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2540 Posts |
Good luck!
Let us see it when you are done.
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Rest in Peace
 United States
5375 Posts |
Finally got my hands on the acetone. I should keep it in a sealed glass jar, right? My mother is a chemist and says that it evaporates. I should also do this in a well aired out space, I assume.
No dilution also, correct? And how long should I 'swish' it for?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
14454 Posts |
all is correct, you should swish it around in some 100% acetone for about 30 minutes then pour that out and put some more in it (just enough to cover the coin is enough) and you can leave it in that solution over night if you haven't gotten the results you are looking for in about 2 hours. Just remember it will take off some dirt and stuff so it still may change the appearance of the coin a little bit but will not effect the toning on the coin at all
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Rest in Peace
United States
5375 Posts |
And using normal kitchen rubber would be fine, right?
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
Quote:
And using normal kitchen rubber would be fine, right? As long as you're *sure* it's rubber and not latex, yes. |
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Rest in Peace
United States
5375 Posts |
Alright, I'm going to get everything to the garage. Starting soon!
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Rest in Peace
United States
5375 Posts |
Rats. Only 'playtex' gloves. I'm assuming that these are not acceptable?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
860 Posts |
I hope you are careful if your garage has any gas appliances.
Jim
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Rest in Peace
United States
5375 Posts |
No, that's not a problem.
I'm at a huge loss here. My mother also has these thin plastic gloves. Where can I get 'pure rubber'? Maybe I should just head over to the coin shop....
Thought this would be a lot easier.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
Just forget the gloves if you do not mind dry skin, that is the worst side effect of it. Obviously, you do not want to get more potent organic solvents on your skin but short-term acetone exposure on skin is relatively harmless(just make sure you do not have a hangnail or a cut- it will burn like the dickens) and that is the method that I personally use. The first dip of your fingers in acetone will pretty much remove all of the essential oils on the surface of your skin. Of course, always dunk the coin in clean acetone after your initial soak. Once you are done with your work, slather on lotion as needed  |
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Rest in Peace
United States
5375 Posts |
How long do I dip my fingers in it?
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New Member
United States
11 Posts |
I was always told you never clean a coin period. I have a unc. 1859 Indian that has a couple of green spots in the wreath or the reverse. Will this work without changing the coins color or affecting the luster? What are the long term affects on the coin after putting it in this chemical? Thanks
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
12437 Posts |
SLQS1916, using acetone is considered to be conservation, not cleaning- the distinction is important. Cleaning(in the numismatic sense) is considered to be damaging while conservation merely preserves the coin. Acetone is an organic solvent and will not react with metal, it simply removes any organic material that may be present on the surface of the coin. That may include PVC residue, finger grease, oils, etc. It will not remove toning or stains and it will not affect luster and patina unless the patina underneath the gunk is different that that of the exposed surfaces of the coin. Acetone will also not remove verdigris or corrosion so unless you think the green spot on your IHC is PVC residue, then acetone will probably do nothing to it. Acetone is fairly harmless to you if used properly. It is volatile so it cannot be used near any ignition sources and the fumes are intoxicating so make sure to have proper ventilation. ShadowCreator, the initial dunking of the coin into acetone with your fingers will remove the oils from your skin surface, you do not need to soak you hands in it or anything(I would not recommend that). Just make sure to give the coin a final rinse with clean acetone, otherwise you just succeeded in transferring more finger grease to your coin 
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6385 Posts |
I use a small glass beaker for my acetone treatments, but any clean glass container is fine. I put the coin in first, then pour in enough acetone to cover it. If I want to soak the coin for awhile I cover the beaker tightly with aluminum foil which greatly slows down evaporation. When done, I pour off the used acetone, rinse with some fresh acetone, and finally tip the coin onto a clean paper towel. The remaining solvent evaporates within a few seconds. Since my hands never touch the acetone, I don't need to worry about gloves or skin drying! |
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Rest in Peace
United States
5375 Posts |
Started the process, if this works, I have a few more coins that I think would benefit from it!
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Replies: 39 / Views: 3,682 |
First Page
Posted 03/16/2009 1:12 pm
