Acetone

[usernameerror]

Anyone on here use Acetone to remove fingerprints from Proofs found in the wild? I found a total of 6 clad proofs in my last half dollar box. Looked to be a small collection dump as 3 of them were found in the same roll. 4 of the proofs are in great condition but have some fingerprints that I would like to remove. Any tips or instructions would be appreciated.

 

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[BuffaloBoy]

do it, what do you have to lose? i once found a dime in one of my dime rolls that had pink nail polish on it, but looked shiny from what I could tell(i couldn't read the date)... dipped it in nail polish remover and out popped a 1988-S clad proof dime that looks flawless.

afterall, there is really no market for proofs, why not!
hh
buff

 

[CoinFetcher]

I almost have 10 face in clad proof.

Might want to slang it on embay.

 

[usernameerror]

I'm definitely going to dip the proofs in acetone. Just wanted to see if anyone has any tips on procedures.

 

[Gilmore Happy]

I just wipe mine off with some condensation HHHHHHHHHH, and a wipe of the shirt?

 

[BuffaloBoy]

show us some before and after pictures! (joking, but it would be a neat experiment!)
hh
buff

I'm definitely going to dip the proofs in acetone. Just wanted to see if anyone has any tips on procedures.

 

[CoinFetcher]

How long do you dip for? 1 second?

 

[mamabear]

acetone is a known cancer causing agent. wear gloves, & be careful. If you look at finger nail polish remover now there is no acetone in it. but who knows what they replaced it with? O & I'm sure air is a cancer causing agent now too!?

 

[vetarun]

I use soaked cotton ball with acetone. I don't use fingernail polish remover. I heard it has an additive in it. Works great

 

[usernameerror]

I've read different techniques online. Some people do multiple soaks of 20 seconds. Some even longer.

 

[SilverForBrains]

I work with acetone on a daily basis, it's the preferable solvent to clean off almost anything. It evaporates really fast, and is less toxic than say methanol or dicholoromethane, or any of those really nasty solvents. In chemistry as an undergraduate, they would give everyone a squirt bottle of acetone along with a squirt bottle of water. Just wear gloves and do it in a well ventilated area. Honestly if you are only doing it every now and then you don't have much to worry about. Now if it's your daily job to be working with acetone, then you want to take every caution possible

 

[SilverForBrains]

Although acetone will eat the hell out of anything plastic. metals are ok though

 

[MrSchulz]

I clean my MD Finds in Nail Polish Remover.. Never done it with CRH finds.. I'll grab some clad proofs and see what they do.

 

[jerseyben]

acetone is a known cancer causing agent. wear gloves, & be careful. If you look at finger nail polish remover now there is no acetone in it. but who knows what they replaced it with? O & I'm sure air is a cancer causing agent now too!?

Acetone is not a known carcinogen. Also, many nail polish removers still contain acetone. I believe a few companies now make a remover that is acetone free.

 

[maine_Jim]

Keep windows open and invest in tongs. Many people will dip any silver that is being submitted for grading to reduce the possibility of spotting. Dip away as any you find CRH are likely "impaired" proofs and are only worth about face. I've never had any luck removing finger prints as acetone will only remove prints that are very recent. It will remove haze off of them.

Maine_Jim

 

[cti4sw]

acetone is a known cancer causing agent. wear gloves, & be careful. If you look at finger nail polish remover now there is no acetone in it. but who knows what they replaced it with? O & I'm sure air is a cancer causing agent now too!?

I think most nail polish remover these days is just straight turpentine.

 

[silvershooter]

Have not used acetone, but have dropped them in TarnX seems to work ok on the ones I've found.

 

[Dark]

Eh, I wouldn't worry too much about acetone being dangerous.
Like everyone said, just use it in a well ventilated area. It can come into contact with skin for short amounts of time with no real issues. It just makes that part of your skin feel cold since it is so volatile and evaporates very quickly.
In my organic chem lab we all had acetone and water spray bottles too so we could clean out our glassware after each experiment.