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 Replies: 33 / Views: 4,518 |
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Valued Member
 United States
99 Posts |
The halves I'm talking about I want to put in my album but the black smut looks nasty. The smut rubs off pretty easy with my fingers.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17884 Posts |
Then just dip them in Ez-est, rinse real well and then either let them air dry or give them a quick acetone rinse to dry them.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
513 Posts |
Quote:
give them a quick acetone rinse You really want somebody to use pyroacetic acid on a coin? It's probably better to wash it in dimethylformaldehyde.   |
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Moderator
 United States
189340 Posts |
 All kidding about nomenclature aside and for the record, acetone is perfectly acceptable for rinsing or removing organic material from coins. It does nothing to the metal. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
513 Posts |
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acetone is perfectly acceptable for rinsing or removing organic material from coins. It does nothing to the metal. That truly is good to know. I've had a few coins taking a weeks-long acetone bath to try to remove some gunk. And I routinely swath (with a rolling motion of a Q-Tip(r) swab) coins that appear to have a little stuff stuck on them. Is there a decent way to remove more stubborn gunk that acetone doesn't remove? (I'm also trying Verdi-Care on a few) Not stains, verdigris, and the like, but gunk, especially stuck in lettering. I'm thinking acetone power wash, but don't have a power washer. |
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Bedrock of the Community
 United States
12845 Posts |
Quote:they'll still be 90% silver halves. Quote:
we are talking about 40% silver halves. Oops. 40% or 90%, my statement still holds.  Edited by CelticKnot
09/11/2015 11:05 am
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Moderator
United States
189340 Posts |
Quote:
Is there a decent way to remove more stubborn gunk that acetone doesn't remove? (I'm also trying Verdi-Care on a few) Not stains, verdigris, and the like, but gunk, especially stuck in lettering. I'm thinking acetone power wash, but don't have a power washer. In my experience if acetone does not remove it, then whatever does remove it will reveal damage beneath. That being said, it is best to leave it alone. Unless it is verdigris, in which case VERDI-CARE would work. |
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Valued Member
United States
95 Posts |
I am aware that most collectors frown upon any type of cleaning.  But leaving debris or verdigris on many coins is foolish. I have cleaned many many Kennedy halves. I am not sure what you mean by "smut" but first try a gentle scrub with a soft brush and Joy dish detergent and distilled water. If that does not work use acetone, if that does not work try TARN-X, or Ezest coin dip. The two dips should ONLY be used on MS coins or proofs. I speak from experience. I have also sold at auction lots of cleaned silver (90 % and 40 %) Kennedys, andf have had compliments, no complaints. But before following my advice, I would like an image of the "smut" of which you speak.  Edited by GSDykes
09/13/2015 4:54 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
711 Posts |
Images of family friendly coin 'smut' that is. . . . .
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
2519 Posts |
GSDykes, that is terrible advice on what to do to any coin with numismatic value. If they are scrap silver in the first place, then it doesn't matter, but I want to emphasise that cleaning coins is still not a good idea.
Do NOT brush coins! They will leave scratches. To be on the safe side, use ONLY distilled water, acetone, and xylene (but not all three of them at the same time). An overnight soak or two is usually sufficient. Don't use soap on silver or copper coins - I've read that it will discolour them in time.
Tarn-X and other silver/jewellery cleaners are destructive. I've seen a thread here before on Tarn-X, and it wrecks any metal it is used on. Dipping any proof coin is guaranteed to turn them into ugly scrap.
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Valued Member
Canada
276 Posts |
Disclaimer: I do not condone the cleaning of coins.
How about ultrasonic cleaners with distilled water to get the crud off then use what you want to get the coin to shine again.
The ultrasonic cleaners also can clean other things around the house too.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1959 Posts |
Try Di-hydrogen monoxide and surfactant first.
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Moderator
United States
189340 Posts |
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Try Di-hydrogen monoxide... Giggle. |
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Valued Member
United States
95 Posts |
SlurExe97.
Perhaps you did not use a soft brush? None of the many silver proofs which I cleaned showed any signs of scratches, even under 20x loupes, the mirrored fields remained perfect? If they or any did not remain absolutely pristine, I certainly would NOT offer it as advice. You may not agree, but I speak from experience, not parroting what others opinion. Lets see pics of your scratched samples? I have pics of some of my cleaned proofs!
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New Member
United States
12 Posts |
All the trouble your going to it would probably be easier to replace the coins.
If you must, mild soap and water, pat dry with soft cloth.
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Replies: 33 / Views: 4,518 |
First Page
Posted 09/10/2015 1:04 pm
