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 Replies: 43 / Views: 4,595 |
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Valued Member
United States
208 Posts |
Thought I would start a thread to catalog some Acetone experiments on copper. I'm not a scientist so the experiments wouldn't stand up to any scientific rigor but still thought it would be interesting to share. I'm soaking them in a small glass Pyrex bowl using Klean Strip Acetone from Ace Hardware for about 2 minutes on each side currently. This one had a bit of original luster to it so I thought I'd see if a dip helped.  Definitely seems nicer. Although plucking it out of the Acetone with my fingers doesn't seem like a long term solution...  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Seems to have helped a bit.
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
24878 Posts |
Noticeable improvement in appearance, Hordfest.
I'm also curious about how other people retrieve their coins from acetone. Slight exposure from getting it on your fingers is not a great health risk but it's uncouth and messy. I use a Q-tip to push them to the edge of the container and then flip it up.
There has to be a better way. Perhaps some type of plastic or bamboo tweezers or tongs? Chopsticks?
Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Valued Member
 United States
208 Posts |
Uh oh. Some of the Acetone spilled around the rim and dried like this. Does that mean it is not 100%? I thought Klean Strip was. It's the only brand available here at both Home Depot and Ace Hardware. It does not say on the container what the ingredients are. Maybe the acetone just stripped the plastic off the cap a little bit. The QR Code on the bottle took me to a website that says: "Klean Strip® Acetone is 100% acetone. It is not to be used as nail polish or thinner. While some nail polish products may contain acetone and other ingredients, Klean Strip® Acetone is not manufactured for use on nails or skin."   Edited by Hordfest
04/22/2023 12:06 pm
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Moderator
United States
56855 Posts |
I have been taking coins out of the jar with my fingers for years and I seem to be ok  ,and I seem to be ok,and I seem to be ok...LOL If you really want a true 100% pure acetone you need to buy lab grade. John1  |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
9149 Posts |
I use the long 6" tooth picks to stand the coin up then pick it out.
After the acetone I give it a wipe with Verdi-Care to conserve it.
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Moderator
United States
94636 Posts |
I use the exact same stuff, I have no residue on the top of my can. Is it possible that there was a tiny bit of 'something' on top of the can before you poured?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19108 Posts |
Yes, I suspect there was something on the top of the container to begin with. I've used acetone for many years and haven't had any trace of residue post evaporation. Having said that, it's best to use fresh acetone as one begins soaking one coin after another, after another. Substances lifted from coin surfaces will remain in suspension. Good idea to not reuse cloudy acetone.
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Valued Member
United States
208 Posts |
Thus isn't copper but it is a coin I found while metal detecting and makes a good test subject as a dug coin. I gave it a bit longer bath while I mowed the lawn. (20 minutes) definitely seemes to have removed some of the yellowish appearance perhaps caused by the soil. Definitely has more shine to it too although I wouldn't call it luster given how worn the coin was. Obverse before and after   Reverse before And after   |
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Valued Member
United States
208 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6500 Posts |
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Valued Member
United States
208 Posts |
Quote:
leave coins in for at least 24 hours Interesting. Most of the resources I have looked at suggest that everything that is going to come off usually comes off in the first few minutes. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6500 Posts |
Most of my research says, it can't hurt.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19108 Posts |
For ridding 'light' crud accumulations, a soak of under 15 minutes seems to work for me. I've had a few extreme caked crud cases that took a full five+ days to do the trick. After a while, you get a feel for it.
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Valued Member
United States
208 Posts |
That's fair. I have heard the same that you could literally leave coins in it for years and it would never damage or attack the metal.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19930 Posts |
I prefer isopropanol (100%) and xylene for copper.
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Replies: 43 / Views: 4,595 |
Posted 04/22/2023 11:55 am
