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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,848 |
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Valued Member
United States
208 Posts |
After BadThad mentioned the idea of conserving/restoring my 1950s proof cents with Acetone, I jumped down the rabbit hole in the search box and read a bunch of threads about Acetone. However, I have a couple remaining copper-specific questions before I experiment:
1.) A lot of the threads mention rinsing the coin with water after an Acetone bath. However, I have also been told that even the water in my breath is enough to cause issues on the copper. So for Acetone dips, should I just let the copper air dry instead of rinsing?
2.) Will the Acetone dip cause a "details" or "cleaned" grade if I submit it? Most people seem to think it is safe to grade acetone soaked coins but didnt provide evidence. One of the threads in 2015 mentioned PCGS has a sniffer for things like Acetone. Is that true?
3.) Does Acetone remove fingerprint marks? What about carbon spots? Or does it only remove dirt and grime pretty much?
Thanks for your help!
P.S. I know about the Copper and Direct Sunlight thing based on the ScienceDirect article. I also enjoyed just carl commenting on every thread that mentioned that article saying that baking in the sun didn't hurt his coins and that he needed to find a "new sun." LOL Edited by Hordfest
04/15/2023 11:46 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3468 Posts |
Quote:
A lot of the threads mention rinsing the coin with water after an Acetone bath. Rinsing with distilled water after an Acetone bath is recommended. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
819 Posts |
You can just let it air dry. It will only take a few seconds.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5663 Posts |
A dip in acetone won't be detectable by a TPG. It evaporates completely and leaves no trace. If you rinse in clean acetone, I would just let it dry without a distilled water rinse so the surfaces stay dehydrated. Acetone will remove organic substances and PVC, but it won't help carbon spots or toning, and might not remove much dirt or grime. It can remove skin oils that will eventually cause fingerprints, but once the fingerprint toning is visible, acetone won't help. |
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
1. I reccomend a final rinse in clean acetone and let air dry. 2. Should not have a problem. 3. Fingerprints are forever unless it was your own and you dip it as fast as possible. Carbon spots will not be removed with acetone. Verdi-Care can help some, but most carbon spots are permanent damage. John1  |
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Valued Member
 United States
208 Posts |
Thanks everybody so far! Glad I asked about the air drying especially. Even distilled water on copper makes me nervous.
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Moderator
United States
95254 Posts |
Well, it looks as if you have your questions answered already, so instead of 'piling on' I'll just say that  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19935 Posts |
Acetone doesn't "clean" a coin, it's a simple organic solvent which will only remove surface residue. It dries instantly, within seconds. Rinse and put right into a holder. It will only remove recent fingerprints - ones you may not even see.
Edited by BadThad
04/16/2023 12:56 pm
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Valued Member
United States
71 Posts |
don't be nervous just try it on regular ole pennies won't lose anything that way.
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,848 |
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Posted 04/16/2023 01:00 am
