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 Replies: 92 / Views: 16,255 |
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Valued Member
Canada
114 Posts |
I've always used distilled water. I tried peroxide a few days ago but was worried it might damage the coin so I only left it for a few hours and it didn't really do anything. I was going to leave it longer each time but now theres no need thanks to you guys. Has anyone seen any damage to Their coins after using peroxide? Is it safe enough that if I forget about it for a few days it will be fine?
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Valued Member
United States
132 Posts |
before and after 3 hours soak in my "homebrew" along with a quick toothbrush swipe to remove the heavy grit   |
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
3499 Posts |
tevlon- It is totally fine to leave it in. Peroxide does not affect the metal at all. It attacks calcium and other deposits. And it is about as safe of a substance as it gets (aside from water). After all, the bottle says that you can use it as mouth wash.
aboarman- That looks great! What is this "homebrew" that you speak of?
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Valued Member
Canada
114 Posts |
has anyone used alcohol before? any type? isopropanol, methanol, etc. its great as a cleaner. it dissolves almost any kind of dirt or adhesive residue. I use it around my house all the time but I dont know if it would affect the metal or dissolve the patina. any knowledge on this?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
tevlon- Oh it does not hurt the metal at all. But then again it does not really affect dirt that has been cemented on a coin for about 1500-2000 years. Its primary use for coin collectors is that it will dissolve Olive oil residue & other such substances which actually attack the dirt. So, nope, alcohol will not help too much with the dirt and encrustation.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
509 Posts |
In my latest post with the before and after pix:
#1 heated peroxide
#2 nothing at all
#3 distilled water
#4 room temperature peroxide
I know pix are hard to tell the differences, but you may be able to see improvement at least in #1. In hand, I at first thought there weren't any real differences at all. But on closer exam I think the H2O2 was more effective than just distilled H2O, just not by a dramatic amount. A couple of the coins may even be attributable if I want to spend the time scratching my head and rubbing my eyes.
Of course my 'speriment applies only to coins in the condition of mine. Different results may be expected for coins that are in different stages of cleaning or have different types of sediment. For me, I think it's worth keeping as another tool in the toolbox but don't think it will be part of the default routine.
I do think it's possible for H2O2 to harm coins, so wouldn't say it's completely harmless. But I'm thinking of those coins with such delicate fragile patinas that any bubbling might disrupt. I'm sure most of us would think twice about dunking those anyway.
Also interested in aboarman's recipe,
-wheatiefan
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
Here is mine - I have not bothered posting pics of coins 1 and 2 as I dont think the results were good but I also think I chose the wrong coins to experiment on. Heavy calcium crusties are where I think you will see the best results. Before:  After:  This was a week in H2O2 (warmed occasionally) and then about the same in distilled water just to dilute any nasties that may have been left on the coin. A slight improvement if not a huge one. Speed wise I would say this is better than olive oil and just water but coins still need a long soak and that could mean changing the H2O2 a number of times. I have seen no 'damage' to the coins I treated but all showed a whitish finish when treated, the patinas looked a little 'washed out'. Quote:
If you're interested, just send me a message and I'll get the shipping details arranged I'm also interested to see what results people can get from aboarmans solution. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2044 Posts |
I've noticed a slight change in the color of the metal when using peroxide on modern US coins a few times. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
Gil-galad- I think that the change in color is mainly just due to crud on the surface having been affected by the peroxide. The actual coin's surface should not really be affected.
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Valued Member
United States
132 Posts |
Hi All - just a reminder - I'd like to get your feedback on my cleaner, just send me an email privately. I developed it with two friends/colleagues - one is an archeology prof and the other teaches chemistry. I can tell you that you're on the right track with h2o2, but you're missing something "essential..."
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
aboarman- Oh just tell us. We're all friends here  (And I don't use emoticons very often) Edited by Archraz
10/25/2011 8:58 pm
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Valued Member
United States
132 Posts |
Archraz - LOL I can't do that, but I'd be happy to provide it for free (if you like it) in exchange for promoting it...I'm trying to eek out a living!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3499 Posts |
aboarman- True. But I do suspect that if one adds an acid, such as concentrated lemon juice or concentrated vinegar, then it may help with the process. But I know so little about chemistry to really know what I am doing...or talking about.
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Valued Member
Canada
114 Posts |
Hey aboarman, I would give your cleaner a try. I haven't been here long enough to send you a private message though. Can you send me one first and I can reply to it? Or do you have another idea?
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
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Replies: 92 / Views: 16,255 |
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Posted 10/22/2011 5:27 pm
