Can I use a jelly jar for acetone?

I'm just going to dip one Peace Dollar that I have to see what happens or doesn't happen. I have been reading cleaning posts and non cleaning post archives for the last 2 nights, along with mineral oil and thorn techniques etc. etc. Don't try to talk me out of it....or the dollar gets it.:hammer:

Anyway I read the back of the Acetone can and it turns out this stuff could potentially level four city blocks if I happen to have any static on me or around me....sheesh. So, can I use a modern day jelly jar minus the jelly :goof: to put some acetone in and soak the coin for say 1 day without it evaporating out or leaving fumes etc?

I would attach quotes but they are too far gone in my memory banks as to where they were and who posted it, but some people appear to not dip in distilled water afterward and some do. My intent is to soak it hope for the best dry it and store it in an air-tite. To distill or not to distill, that....is the question.

Or maybe I will do 2

Here is a before: :smile

 

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First, I will bet acetone will do nothing for those dollars.
Second, yes it is explosive. Probably similar to or a little less that gasoline, but more volitile.
third, jelly jars should work, but I would recommend not sealing (cover, but not air tight) them. They have banned the sale of gasoline in glass bottles because some have developed enough pressure to break the bottle. (i.e. an instant Molotov cocktail) If you are going to use a jelly jar, it must be cleaned (not rinsed) and it is possible that the acetone will destroy the lid seal and you do not want that in with your coins.

 

If it's glass it's fine but you don't need something that large. I like to use something as small as possible. It's really cool to use something that keeps the surface of the coin from touching the glass. A small collection of shot glasses works well. Don't use a lid that has any plastic or rubber on it. I use a small piece of glass as a cover.

 

I use acetone to remove pvc residue and tape or adhesives. It will also remove both oil and water-soluble forms of scum. It won't remove tarnish, however, which is what I think I see on the Peace Dollar. I have some small, pyrex dishes from the grocery store, I cover them with a glass dish (the kind that comes with a set of glass teacups) and have had no evaporation problems.

 

1. The Acetone itself is not dangerous. It is the fumes, as with gasoline, that is the problem. And yes it is more volitile than automotive gasoline.
2. The reason for the above is the fast evaporation rate of this product.
3. Acetone from a can in a store itself could be contaminated if in that can for an extensive period of time. Eventually could dissolve the inner lining of the can
4. And glass jar MAY work with Acetone but always test first. Glass, like any man made product can vary massively. Ever notice how the Glass utinsils for cooking usually say can be used for cooking. Same with glass for a microwave. Usually states Microwave safe. Not all glass is the same.
5. Prior to using Acetone or any solution that is volitile, Pour a very small amount on a clean dish and allow to evaporte. No residue should be there if pure.
6. As noted attempt to find a jar with a glass lid. Most lids are metal or plastic or contain a seal. If the Acetone comes in contact with that it will create a problem.
7. If you want to play around with products such as Acetone you may want to check with a Phamacist or a chemical supply house for Pyrex Glass utensiles, glasses and covers.
8. Always rinse everything with distilled water when finished.

The really important thing about Acetone or any solution, solid or gas you are not familiar with is to be cautious of people on the internet giving you advise. REMEMBER, it is your eyes, your house, your face that could be in danger. People that tell you to try something have nothing to loose.

 

With normal precautions, acetone should be as safe as gasoline to use and probably safer.

 

Doug,
Your numbers are wrong, but your principles are right. First gasoline is very explosive, but not that bad. Roughly 1 cup equals 1 stick of dynamite. Look it up. I did. And, yes, acetone is more volatile than gasoline, but has less explosive power.

 

From my experiences, the only thing I can say is that your few ounces were a lot more than 2. And yes, I was in charge of 20,000 gallons of butadiene. That is as explosive as gasoline or more so and boils at -4°C. Put that on your volatility scale and see were it comes out. It was capable of destroying several square miles under the right conditions. We studied more than one explosion, and none of them approached your number.

 

When I use acetone- which isn't often- it's always in a well ventilated area, away from flames, and I cover the dish and recap the can immediately.

 

I didn't think you should use acetone with plastic jars- it will degrade and the plastic will bond to your coins?? Am I wrong here. RLM- I didn't know you have such chemical experience. You posted on my rose thorn/oil deal and you seem to be pretty knowledgeable about this stuff. Do you work in an industry that deals with chemicals?

 

Plastics are all over the map. To say that plastics are or are not anything does not work. Some will dissolve in most anything while others will dissolve in nothing. High density polyethylene will resist just about anything. Lab squirt bottles are made to resist the worst.

Not one you would think of, but yes. Xerox, but retired 9 years ago.

 

Having used it enough in painting acetone can be pretty nasty stuff as far as flame and fumes.
Well ventilated (outdoors if possible) is the best IMHO.

Avoid breathing the fumes as well. It's a decent buzz but the headache after isn't so hot. Hey guys, I ONLY know this from painting.

 

It should not take more than an ounce or so for each bath the coin may need in acetone. The fumes from that are nothing unless you have an open flame beside it or stick it under your nose. There is no need for a large amount of acetone at one time.

With that said, the young folks here should never be messing with this stuff.

 

Just to give you some perspective of that 1 ounce, the explosive limits for acetone are 3 - 13%. Not practical, but it is theoretically possible for that to form an explosive mixture of 13 cubic feet. Now that would take perfect mixing and no absolutely escape to any other area, but .......... Hey, Doug's numbers exaggerated the hazard, but if you were in that 13 cubic feet were it to go, you would not think so.

All that aside, with normal ventilation, there should be no problem.

 

I have found that my specifc prescription pill containers are Not affected by acetone, including the lids. In my test, acetone evaporation was very small and when the solution was poured into a glass container and evaporated, no residue remained. The containers are transparent amber plastic.

This comment is to back up the fact that some plastics are not affected by acetone.

I am NOT saying all prescription vials are resistant. I tested mine well. They do leak if tilted or inverted

Jim

 

Hmm, I won't play with acetone in my mini refrigerator.

heck I am not sure I could fit in 13 cubic feet

Jim

 

Not to be offensive, but you are about 3 cubic feet, Jim.

Water is 62.4 lb/cubic foot. The human body is just lighter than water.

 

You can test your acetone by placing a few drops outside on a mirror and seeing what remains after it evaporates. Also one can of acetone might be OK but another could be contaminated, I wouldn't trust any acetone but would give the coin a distilled water rinse to remove the potential of contamination.