| Author |
 Replies: 14 / Views: 2,466 |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1372 Posts |
Every time I see this being discussed, I cringe at the thought of thorns and toothpicks being used to dislodge gunk from denticles and deep crevices between the devices and the fields. I decided to try something last week, and it works beautifully. I got in this 1847 Large Cent which was pretty gunked up, and decided to remove all of that stuff without ever touching it, or anything abrasive to the coin. I suspect that professional coin conservators use the same technique, but they ain't talkin'. First, I wanted to soften the debris built up in the crevices, so I soaked the coin in naptha....basically lighter fluid, which dissolves any PVC residue that may be present and softens accumulated dirt without altering the coin's color or toning. Next.......I filled the jar of my air brush with acetone, and running 35 psi, I basically used it as a micro pressure washer. It works admirably. I don't care what you use to dig stuff off a coin, you are going to scratch it. This is totally non invasive. Here's the before and the after shots of the coin. Chance First .... before ...kind'a makes sense.   ....after the soak and power wash....   Edited by Chancellor Sutler
11/06/2011 4:41 pm
|
|
|
|
Rest in Peace
United States
7075 Posts |
Truly amazing results.
When you did the naptha soak, did you do it in a closed jar or with the lid off?
I think that by sharing our experiences here we will finally be able to do coin conservation at home. Like you said: "they ain't talkin'". I really feel if numismatists had been sharing information like scientists have for the past few centuries that numismatics would be taught on the college level just like history and archeology.
Anyway, well done and thanks for sharing. (I have a ton of coins to clean -- left in the garage since the 90's -- all green and disgusting. I have been hoping to document their 'conservation' but first I have to learn to get good photos.}
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1406 Posts |
I see a little doubling now on the reverse. Machine Doubling? The T and F look notched. I also see a little verdigris left on the reverse as well. May want to try and nuke that with a bit of BadThads stuff. Amazing work BTW! It looks awesome! |
|
Pillar of the Community
Canada
1610 Posts |
Wow, looks good enough to eat  |
|
Valued Member
United States
326 Posts |
Very nice results. Thanks for sharing. I just made a shopping list of naptha and acetone.
|
|
Pillar of the Community
 United States
1372 Posts |
Yeah, I need to get some verdigris taker offer from BadThad. I just bought an 1855 that's AU ... and has some very light spots that I know will come off easily using verdi-care.
I just used a glass ashtray, open, to soak the coin prior to washing. I lined the bottom with a layer of paper towel so I could put the coin in the sauce without damaging it, even slightly.
Chance
Edited by Chancellor Sutler
11/06/2011 5:14 pm
|
|
Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
Wow, huge improvements. Well done and your photos are great too. I never thought of using an air brush as a power washer,that's smart thinking. John1  |
|
Pillar of the Community
 Canada
9864 Posts |
Air brush as power washer! Thanks,going to have to give that a try.
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
19949 Posts |
Good conservation!
I still wouldn't recommend using lighter fluid. I much prefer to use xylene on copper.
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
|
|
Valued Member
United States
326 Posts |
Where can I purchase small quantities of naptha and acetone? Lowes sells it in quarts but this is a silly amount to just clean a few coins? Do dealers at coin shows sell this stuff?
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
19949 Posts |
Lighter fluid can be bought most anywhere, try Walgreens. Acetone - Hardware stores, you might as well buy a large can because you'll use it eventually. It's also handy around the house for other things. Coin dealers don't sell this stuff. Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1372 Posts |
There was once a cartoon by Gary Larson ... Moses looking toward the sky saying "Just one thing Lord ... what's a cubit?"
So Thad .... What's a ml?....in "regular" measure, you know ... fl ozs. I can't wrap my head around metric liquid measurements at all, except I know what a 2 liter soda looks like.
Chance
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
507 Posts |
I think that's a fantastic idea. Thanks for sharing.
I'm just wondering if there are any plastic fittings or lines or seals or anything involved with the airbrush, or if it's all metal. Also wondering how strong of a stream / how splashy it is.
Ignorant about airbrushes,
-wheatiefan
ps: 30mL = one fluid ounce
|
|
Bedrock of the Community
United States
19949 Posts |
|
|
Pillar of the Community
United States
1372 Posts |
|
| |
Replies: 14 / Views: 2,466 |
|
Posted 11/06/2011 4:39 pm
