Frequently Asked Questions

These are our Frequently Asked Questions!

Please expand the boxes below to read the answers to the our frequently asked questions.

If we haven't answer your question fully or you have a question that's not listed please contact us .

What safety measures do I need to take?

Before you start ensure you are wearing suitable hand and eye protection and ensure the surface you are using is adequately protected in case of spillages.

Do not smoke when handling the product, this includes vapes or ecigarettes. Make sure the area you are working in is well ventilated.

Disclaimer: ArteSeal cannot be held responsible for the mishandling of the product and any personal injury or property damage as a result of its misuse.

How do I store it?

The bottle should be stored in a cool dry place away from any sources of ignition.
Important: the bottle should be stored standing upright. Ensure the lid is fully secure before storage or the contents may evaporate.

Do I need to shake it before using?

The Paraloid™ B-72 is held in suspension and before use make sure the product is agitated lightly just to ensure a nice even mix.

This is especially important after long periods in storage.

What brush can I use to apply it?

Try and use a solvent friendly brush. The Paraloid™ B-72 solution is acetone based and it may damage plastic or synthetic brushes.

In addition, be careful not to dip any of the handle in the solution, epecially if it is painted as the acetone may damage the finish.

Note: The brush we supply has a painted handle with a metal brush section so avoid getting the handle in the solution. Alternatively you can use the brush contained in the lid.

What can I use it for?

Paraloid™ B-72 can be used to coat metal artefacts and coins. It can also be used to coat other materials such as stones, ceramics, artwork and cloth to name a few.

Avoid using on products that are painted or have paint remnants.

Do not use on plastics, resins or any material that may be damaged by acetone.

How can I hold the objects I'm coating without my fingers getting sticky??

As you've seen in our videos, we use a lollipop stick and a piece of BluTack to hold the item in place. After the ArteSeal coating is dry you can restick the coated piece to the BluTack.

Will it damage my paintbrush?

That is possible due to the acetone used in the product. Make sure the brush you are using is solvent friendly and has a metal brush holder. If the brush has a painted or lacquered handle make sure that is kept away from the solvent or it may damage the coating.

If in doubt test your brush on scrap material first, and don't leave the brush sitting in the mixture.

How do I clean the brush?

The brush can be cleaned with Acetone and that will dissolve the active product.

If you leave it to go hard, dont worry, you can soak it in Acetone, or back into the ArteSeal solution and it will dissolve in 20-30 seconds and be ready to use again.

How much will 50ml cover?

That really depends on the size of the artefact or coin and how many layers you apply. As the majority of metal detectorist finds are relatively small the 50ml solution should be enough to coat plenty of finds (although we havent measure it precisely). Once we know we'll update it here.

What's the difference between 10% and 20% solution?

A question we often get asked is what’s the difference between the 10% and 20% solutuons.

The 10% solution is ideally used for artefacts with a good smooth stable finish, such as the George V coins in our instagram reels, the coating is thinner, dries quicker and provides a nice soft gloss finish.

The 20% is a higher concentration, so takes a little longer to fully cure but does provide a higher level of protection and is better on more porous artefacts with a rough finish, or any artefact that would benefit with a slightly thicker coating. The finish is soft gloss, and if used on coins the 20% solution may look a little glossier.

Note: the 20% is 'stickier' so care must be taken when applying and it does take longer to fully cure.

A good option if you want to try both is to purchase the twin 50ml pack which includes 10% and 20%and you can see which you prefer. We’ll also be adding twin packs in the larger bundles in the next week.

How long does it take to dry?

At room temperature the acetone will evaporate within 30-45 seconds and will be touch dry ready for recoating if required.

The 20% solution takes longer to dry and cure.

Both vary with the ambient temperature.

What's the finish like?

The finish can only be described as aspft gloss finish. It's not 'wet look' by any means, and is not really shiny.

The gloss can be slighty enhanced by adding more layers.

View our comparison images to get a better idea.

Can I remove it if I dont like it?

Absolutely! Paraloid™ B-72 is reversible. Simply soak a small cloth in acetone and rub the artefact gently to remove the coating. Repeat until the natural finish is restored.

What if I leave the lid off?

If you are unlucky it will all evaporate leaving the Paraloid™ B-72 reside in the pot. It can be re-dissolved by adding acetone, but the percentage may be difficult to evaluate.

If it's just for a short while a little evaporation will increase the percentage of Paraloid™ B-72, but it won't cause any harm and can still be used.

Remember to try and keep the lid closed when not in use.

Will it damage my finds?

Paraloid™ B-72 mixed with acetone has been widely used in conservation and artefact preservation for many years and it is unlikely your finds will be damaged.

We do recommend testing on an invaluable artefact or coin first to get used to the process. If in doubt test on a small inconspicuous area first.

Can I use it on valuable finds or treasure?

We advise you not to coat any finds that are valuable, are of historical importance or potential treasure as this may affect their value both financially and historically.

Use common sense and if in any doubt, dont apply it until you are satfisfied that no harm can be done.

The product is ideally suited to the display and preservation of your own finds that will not form part of any Treasure or Portable Antiquity Scheme processes.

Can I use it on silver?

Yes you can use it on silver artefacts or coins, however the natural finish of silver is enough to brighten any display!

Can I use it on glass?

Yes, the product can be used on glass, especially considering the risk of glass disease in older glass that has been under the ground. Humidity in the atmosphere can cause chemical changes to the glass which results in the disease.

As Paraloid™ B-72 provides a layer of protection, effectively sealing the artefact from the atmosphere, this reduces the risk of disease and helps keep your find stable.

What coins can I use it on?

It is more commonly used on Bronze or Copper coins to improve detail and add a more appealing finish. It also helps seal the edges of coins that are crumbling.

It is not widely used on Silver or Golds coins as the inherent properties of the metal provide a nice natural finish.

Can I have a discount?

Occasionally we will be offering discounts codes to metal detecting groups, clubs and those detectorists who have their own YouTube channels.

We may also run special offers from the website and try and circulate those offers on social media.

Can I buy it in larger quantities?

We are currently only selling 50ml, 100ml and 150ml bottles as they are cost effective and an appropriate size for most metal detectorists and mudlarkers. If the demand is there in the future we will condider selling larger bottles.

What if items aren't in stock?

If items aren't in stock it wont be long before they are availablle, we're most likely just awaiitng delivery from our suppliers of the raw materials.