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 Replies: 11 / Views: 1,401 |
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Pillar of the Community
Poland
3201 Posts |
Sometime (knowing myself it will be next month probably) I will try cleaning coins using olive oil. So since I haven't tried it, I'd like to ask some questions, like: How long does it take (2-5 weeks?), how much of it to use, can the same amount be reused, on what composition of coins it works best, for what problems it works, and any other suggestions and procedures  Thank you. |
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Valued Member
Poland
392 Posts |
Hmmm... I can only say that I cleaned in this way some my roman (bronze) coins. I put them into some kind of soup plate, and I didn't touch them for 5 weeks. After that I used wool-cloth to clean them and effect was amazing - most of grounds and soils disappeared |
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Moderator
 United States
23731 Posts |
Depending on how crusty they are it could take a few weeks to as much as a year. I'm in the process of soaking 2000+ roman coins so I use a large plastic container filled with the oil and just let the coins soak. When the oil gets dirty and dark I'll change it and check the coins. Than I use a soft brass brush and dental tools to clean them.
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Moderator
Australia
16809 Posts |
Olive oil isn't a "general purpose" coin cleaner. The contexts I've heard of for olive oil cleaning are: - crusty uncleaned ancient coins - the oil softens up the encrustations without damaging the patina. I've never tried it myself on a genuine "crusty". For this purpose, a long soak is suggested - several months, with regular oil changes. - bronze or copper coins with the "green death" of verdigris or bronze disease. I've tried it, with minimal success. My attempts at removing verdigris from a copper token are chrionicled in this thread. I've also tried it with an ancient Roman bronze that had been smitten with the curse. It had better success, but the treatment lasted a year. In both contexts, the following statements apply: - It takes time, and patience. More patience than I've got, I'm afraid.  - Use enough oil to cover the coin. It apparently doesn't matter whether you pour a whole bunch of coins into a large jar and fill it up with oil, or use separate cups for each coin. - Olive oil isn't a "magic dip"; you'll need to apply some elbow grease, too. Every few weeks, take the coins out of the oil and give the problem area a working over with whatever soft-but-firm tool is your preference - toothpicks, rose thorns, and fingernails have all had advocates. - Once the coins have been worked over, put them back in fresh oil. - Once the treatment is complete, rinse the coin with acetone or alcohol to remove the oil. Some folks prefer to leave a thin film of oil on the coin, to try to prevent bronze disease. Personally, I think removing it is better, aesthetically. Don't say "infinitely" when you mean "very"; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite. - C. S. Lewis
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Naturally if you use the Olive Oil for your coins, you could also throw in some vinegar, Chives, Basil, a slight touch of Oregino. Toss and add some toppings and you now have a coin salad. If you really don't care about your coins, Olive Oil is as good as finger nail polish, Tomato Juice, Lemon Juice and even Prune Juice. If none of those work, don't forget to use a little battery acid.  Please note that Olive Oils are a manufactured item. Being such they can vary from one to another and even from one jar of the same brand to another. Hense what works well for one person may not work for someone else. And neve use plastic containers for attempting to clean coins with anything. Always use glass. Some substances will disolve some plastics and they will just add to your coins yuky stuff. Note as with Olive Oils not all plastics are manufactured the same. Regardless of what you try, just don't do it on a coin that is of any value or it will not be worth anything when you get done. And another thing to remember is your asking people on the internet and you really don't know if they know what they are talking about, have ever really tried what they suggest, nor care what happens to you or your coins. Those are your coins so be carefull out there. Remember that people that tell you to try something can easily just say OOPPPPs, sorry, to bad, tuff luck.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
I recall some of the chemists here chiming in that olive oil has some organic compounds which might actually attack a coin surface. I think there are some acidic components to olive oil. I would recommend mineral oil, which is a neutral, petroleum-based oil that does not absorb moisture from the air.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
860 Posts |
Plant based oils are rich in fats that break down into fatty acids over time. Any oil which begins to have a rancid smell, or if you follow Just Carl's recipe, a rancid taste, change the oil. I thought this was only done with ancients.
Jim
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Pillar of the Community
United States
632 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
Plant based oils are rich in fats that break down into fatty acids over time. Any oil which begins to have a rancid smell, or if you follow Just Carl's recipe, a rancid taste, change the oil. I thought this was only done with ancients.
Just what do you mean by a rancid taste? OK, so I forgot the lettuse. Otherwise great tasting coins The main thing is to never attempt anything with any coins that could have any value. Once a coin has been cleaned, it is almost impossible to return it to original status. |
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Pillar of the Community
 Poland
3201 Posts |
Thank you everyone for your useful posts. I assure you I won't try any experiments on coins of value |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1415 Posts |
I don't know if I would want to be tasting oil which has had a coin or two in it from god knows where for a couple of months! Ya never know what would dissolve in it? I think I would try motor oil  A good 10W30. All the right stuff to take care of an engine can't be all bad  |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
20753 Posts |
Quote:
I don't know if I would want to be tasting oil which has had a coin or two in it from god knows where for a couple of months! Ya never know what would dissolve in it?
I think I would try motor oil A good 10W30. All the right stuff to take care of an engine can't be all bad
Not meaning to say anyone should really try tasting coins dipped in anything, but if you've ever grown up on a farm or had a backyard garden, what crawls all over what you end up eating is rather not to appatizing. Ever see the slugs on tomatos? Your lettuse has been sat on by Bees, flys, moths, ants, slugs and just about anything else that exists. Now as to the 10W30 motor oils. I never thought of trying that. Good suggestion. All multi grade motor oils contain cleaning agents to help keep the inside of your engine clean so why not use it on coins? However, you would have to make sure you use the correct oil filter too. |
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Replies: 11 / Views: 1,401 |
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Posted 09/20/2008 08:38 am
