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Replies: 20 / Views: 1,946 |
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New Member
Canada
9 Posts |
I got a few tubes of SMLs that were inadvertently handled with bare hands, then put back into the tubes and sealed. This happened about 2 or 3 months ago. I have since bought E-Z-Est Coin Cleaner, and was considering using it to prevent milk spots or tarnish in the future. What do guys think? Should I quickly dip them in EZ-Est? Or instead just soak them in acetone? Or just give them a quick light wash in warm soapy water and pat them dry? Please give me some advice
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
9862 Posts |
They are bullion not collectible coins. Clean them as you see fit.
"Dipping" is not considered cleaning... -from PCGS website
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1505 Posts |
I wouldn't bother with it. If you are using them as an investment, bullion buyers are not concerned with it.
If your thinking about them as a collectible piece worth a premium, they are likely already beyond hope. Unless they are rare or unique. Most SML's have large mintages and don't circulate, so lots of problem free ones are out there.
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New Member
 Canada
9 Posts |
Thanks for the replies, Fellas. @DBM - Yes, they are not collectible but all I'm wanting to know is how best to clean off any oils that may be left on the coins. Right now, they still look shiny and new. I want to keep them looking that way. @purelywasted - "likely already beyond hope". What do you mean? The damage is already done, and it's pointless to attempt to clean them now? Also, what about a 100oz RCM bar that was touched with bare hands. How best to clean that guy?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
819 Posts |
I would give them a acetone soak and let them air dry.
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Moderator
 United States
56855 Posts |
atc250r, If you feel the need to clean them start with 100% pure acetone. If that doesn't do it for you then zest it.You might want to water down the zest by about 20% with distilled water. John1 
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New Member
 Canada
9 Posts |
Thanks Guys. So a 1 minute dip in pure acetone, and then air dry? Or remove from acetone and straight to a rinse with water and pat them dry with a microfibre?
The thing is, they still look shiny like brand new. I don't visually see any fingerprints or oils on them right now. But I want to prevent any smudges/tarnishing from appearing in the future.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1484 Posts |
I believe @purely is saying the finger oils have been deposited on the bullion and the chemical reaction is underway, even if it doesn't show yet.
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Pillar of the Community
 Canada
9862 Posts |
Dip in acetone for a minute. Rinse in clean acetone. Air dry.
"Dipping" is not considered cleaning... -from PCGS website
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New Member
 Canada
9 Posts |
@halfamind - So would acetone not help then?
E-Z-Est is my best bet?
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Acetone is unlikely to help, but worth a try I guess.  to the CCF!
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New Member
 Canada
9 Posts |
Thanks for the welcomes to the forum. Been a member for over a year, just not much time to post.
I guess I'll try acetone tomorrow and then I'll know in what, a year or so, if it was successful in removing the oils which I cannot see. Like I said, they still look brilliant like brand new today.
If they begin to deteriorate, then E-Z-Est will be what I need, I guess.
Edited by atc250r 12/15/2023 6:38 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1648 Posts |
All 2018 Maple Leaf silver bullion coins and newer should no longer experience milk spot issues https://www.coinworld.com/news/prec...pot-fix.htmlI'll play around with it more eventually, but some positive results have been shown from using EZEST, the key is diluting to 1/2 EZ Est 1/2 Distilled water or even 1/4 strength EZest. Another key is to be quick with the dipping, perhaps 2-3 seconds only then rise with pure distilled water. Anything more than that will start to ruin the surface which is where most likely gave up, so perhaps a little practice on some bullion that has no premium value would be a good start and then can move on to those pieces with value. Milk spots on the other hand apparently wont work by that method once they have settled in. It usually works more on the Haze/Cloudiness such as in silver proof quarters for example.
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New Member
 Canada
9 Posts |
@datadragon - So is it milk spots that fingerprints will eventually lead to? Or what is the eventual result of fingertip oil on polished coins like SMLs?
And like I said earlier, I do not see any fingerprints on the coins. But I'm worried about oils that's I can't see. Or am I being over paranoid here?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1648 Posts |
Quote: @datadragon - So is it milk spots that fingerprints will eventually lead to? Or what is the eventual result of fingertip oil on polished coins like SMLs?
And like I said earlier, I do not see any fingerprints on the coins. But I'm worried about oils that's I can't see. Or am I being over paranoid here? I would say you are being overly worried about it as the coins from what you say are not low mintage collectible versions where its important to keep in best condition possible and can be graded, but are the standard bullion sold for their silver value. Milk Spots are different than oil which may differently react with the metal surface over time, leading to corrosion and discoloration. Before 2018 the canadian maple leafs did sometimes have milk spot problems but they seem to have fixed that problem. Over time, oil can penetrate the coin's porous surface, making it increasingly difficult to remove. Oil can attract dirt and dust particles, further compromising the coin's appearance and overall value but again thats more in general for collectible coins such as when you buy a limited edition with low mintage to keep it in top condition. For those bullion coins you can just do the EZEST or acetone if you feel you really just want to try to remove the oil to keep them looking good but its probably not needed since they don't appear to be in any worse visual shape per your post.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2280 Posts |
The neurotic rabbit hole is strong with this thread.
You realize when you know how to think, it empowers you far beyond those who know only what to think.
-Neil deGrasse Tyson
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Replies: 20 / Views: 1,946 |