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 Replies: 11 / Views: 3,407 |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
9163 Posts |
When you do this do you have to change the olive oil if you leave them in it for months?
OR are you using some thing different?
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
You don't need to change it, but I find it gets murky after a while. I change the oil perhaps every 2 months, unless its a 'soak and forget' coin, in which case, I just let it be. I usually clean in distilled water these days - it is slower, but really porous coins or ones with nice patinas seem to come out the other side looking better.
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Valued Member
Netherlands
145 Posts |
I tried soap on a low-grade bronze coin and within 2 days all the hardened dirt came off. Downside= will give your coin a gray bleak tone. The dark oil patina looks so much better on Romans. But months.. I really should put them back after I tried a two-week oil bath.
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Pillar of the Community
United Kingdom
4208 Posts |
People get very concerned about using soap, but a little surfactant will speed things up. Thing is, there is a lot of not very good stuff in most soaps, so I tend to steer clear (and if the patina has changed colour, then something has happened to the patina, good or bad). Perhaps I'll try using some additive free soap for the next lot I need to clean.
As for grey coins, there are quicker, chemical ways to get the patina dark again, but I cannot speak to their suitability long term.
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
9163 Posts |
Thanks guys I did just change mine it's been 2 1/2 months now. Starting to see some detail.
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Valued Member
Netherlands
145 Posts |
Do you also use toothpicks to help speed things up? Or is it best to just give it months to let the oil do its work?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
581 Posts |
For copper and bronze, along with a few others, I swear by the original old school 3-IN-ONE HOUSEHOLD OIL. It does many things all at once, and does them all very well. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3-In-One_Oil |
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Valued Member
Netherlands
145 Posts |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
You don't have to change it, but as Ben said it's gets murky and the dirt settles in the bottom. Years ago when I collected uncleaned coins I would large lots and would keep them soaking until I got around to cleaning them. At one point I had coins soaking for two years. Also keep in mind that olive oil has a tendency to darken the coins.
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Rest in Peace
United States
4078 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
9163 Posts |
I think I will stay with the olive oil, don't trust 3 in 1 and yes MetzKaj it does take months.
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Valued Member
New Zealand
292 Posts |
 with Echizento. They do have a tendency to darken the coins. I've got a few darken because of it. But they look good anyway. |
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Replies: 11 / Views: 3,407 |
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Posted 02/06/2019 11:59 am
