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Replies: 19 / Views: 4,895 |
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Valued Member
Brazil
117 Posts |
Hello everyone, I thinks I want to clean up my coins. I would like to ask if you already used this device, if so, what do you think about it. It really works? I mean, it really removes all the dirt? http://www.lighthouse.us/epages/lig...roducts/VBR1Thank you for the help and let me know about good cleaning methods.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
 I suspect your new here. Otherwise you would have seen many, many, many posts about cleaning coins. Although they may end up looking pretty, usually end up ruined. Use the search tab at the top for cleaning coins, coin cleaning, Acetone, etc. Regardless of the method, cleaning coins is just not a great idea. It's sort of like using a varnish remover on an old oil painting.
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Moderator
 United States
23522 Posts |
As a numismatist, that linked webpage (including the "We also recommend" stuff) is one of the scariest things I've ever seen. I am flabbergasted that a reputable coin-related supply house would speak of such destructive measures as "acceptable," and based on that I'm done recommending Lighthouse to anyone, ever again. "Coin polishing cloth?" Really? 
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Valued Member
 Brazil
117 Posts |
Hi carl. I haven't seen that many topics talking about cleaning coins. I'll search around. It looks like the idea is not quite acceptable. But it makes me feel more curious: Isn't nothing, absolutely nothing I can do to remove dirt from my coins?
That device I linked works only with vibration and water, no chemical products there. How bad could it be?
SsuperDdave, I am sorry Lighthouse disappointed you.
Anyway, thanks for your help. I want to learn and all you can talk is so welcome.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote: Hi carl. I haven't seen that many topics talking about cleaning coins. I'll search around. It looks like the idea is not quite acceptable. But it makes me feel more curious: Isn't nothing, absolutely nothing I can do to remove dirt from my coins? As explained many times on this and other coin forums, yes you can remove some of the dirt. HOWEVER, always noting that removing something that is not just dirt may be now part of the coin. By that I mean substances, like Oxygen, may have combined with the metal of the coin and removing it, removes part of the coin. Sometimees leaving pot marks. Anybody that says to use soap, water, vibration systems, toothpicks, etc. is sort of a joke and doesn't know it. The worst part of someone saying to use water or soap is no where on Earth is Soap and Water the same. And your tap water could be the worst for coins. Your best method is to first of all try Distilled Water. Soaking a coin in that would only remove plain, ordinary, soluable dirt and not the metal of the coin. To take one step further, purchase something called Acetone. Dip the coins in that for a few minutes then make sure it is dry after words. HOWEVER, again, please check out the tab for Search for Acetone. Highly flamable STUFF. Precaustions should be the primary concern.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19935 Posts |
Quote: Isn't nothing, absolutely nothing I can do to remove dirt from my coins?
Generally, collectors like them dirty. 
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Valued Member
 Brazil
117 Posts |
BadThad, I like them anyway, but I would like to improve their appearence without causing damage to them. 
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Valued Member
 Brazil
117 Posts |
just_carl, I have Acetone 99.5% and while searching, I found some people saying about calcium carbonate to conservate coins (I won't say cleaning anymore) :) What do you think about this product?
The freeze/thaw method works on every type of metal? I have some stainless steel coins with so many dirt, I would love to see them in better conditions.
Thanks everyone for the advices!
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19935 Posts |
Quote: BadThad, I like them anyway, but I would like to improve their appearence without causing damage to them. Your best bet is to sell them and replace with coins that meet your appearance requirements. As I see it now with reference to calcium carbonate and the like, you're on the path to ruining what you have. Sorry, just my opinion.
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Valued Member
 Brazil
117 Posts |
Ok, BadThad, I appreciate your help. I will keep researching.
How about this Verdi-Care, is it good for conservating coins? How does it work?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19935 Posts |
VC is primarily designed for the conservation of lightly corroded coins. Yes, it will also remove dirt and residue, but I never really intended that use of the product yet many do use it for that. I still stand-by my statements, if they are just dirty, leave them alone or replace them. Conservation is not a task to be taken lightly since it can ultimately ruin your coins when done improperly or unnecessarily.
Lincoln Cent Lover!VERDI-CARE™ INVENTOR https://verdi.care/
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Moderator
 United States
187702 Posts |
Quote: I still stand-by my statements, if they are just dirty, leave them alone or replace them. Conservation is not a task to be taken lightly since it can ultimately ruin your coins when done improperly or unnecessarily. And I will quote them, as they are worth repeating. 
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Valued Member
 Brazil
117 Posts |
Nice, thanks for your explanation. And how about the freeze/thaw method? Is it good for all types of metals? No risk for coins involved?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
19935 Posts |
It doesn't matter what you try. Anything you do to a coin to try to "enhance" it can result in permanent damage and loss of numismatic value. The ONLY time I recommend doing anything is if you have no choice, i.e. the coin is corroded or has problem that makes it completely unacceptable to any collector. The whole point of conservation is to make an uncollectable, problem coin acceptable.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Freeze, dry, thrqw, soak, dunk, wash and on and on. Regardless of what you attempt, if not sure what your doing, a good chance you'll make things worse. It is rather fun to experiment on what you consider a valuless coin, but even that someday may be required for someone's Album. It is always best to just leave a coin as is. It's an odd world we live in. We do all sorts of things to our cars to make them shine as good as new or better. We wash and claen our cloths, our houses and polish our shoes. Yet cleaning coins is just wrong. Sanding down old furniture is wrong. Odd isn't it?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
784 Posts |
I gotta admit I'm really glad we don't take that same kind of thought process with our clothes... or toilets... pew!
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Replies: 19 / Views: 4,895 |