I need some advice on cleaning

Greylock

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Jun 10, 2012
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Post a photo of the coin. There's a cleaning section here. I use distilled water or peroxide depending on what it is or how crusty it is.
 

treblehunter

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JMO, the crusty coppers I have found so far, it all depends on how crusty it is to start. I do believe that a person can clean off some of the detail if you get too aggressive ( peroxide, lemon juice) Any of those seem to take some detail away sometimes after the dirt is gone. Sometimes I feel that adding water turns some types of dirt to almost concrete. My choice would be very lightly use a tooth pick and try and remove dirt slowly by hand. After a little of that, then soak it in olive oil. For me it seams like after a few hours of soaking I can then start to see some detail in the light holding the coin in different positions.
 

TNGUNS

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I would advise that you stop finding them. No need to go through the aggravation of fooling with them. Just tell us where you are finding them and we will remove those pesky time consuming worries for ya. Just trying to help..... ha ha. HH:icon_thumleft:
 

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bountyhuntergirl86

bountyhuntergirl86

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Thanks for the info.. :-) ive found that vinegar and lemon juice are too abrasive..

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bountyhuntergirl86

bountyhuntergirl86

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I would advise that you stop finding them. No need to go through the aggravation of fooling with them. Just tell us where you are finding them and we will remove those pesky time consuming worries for ya. Just trying to help..... ha ha. HH:icon_thumleft:

Lmao! Nah, ill take the time ;-)

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mangum

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Toothpick it. No water. If it looks dried out afterwards seal it with Chapstick. This method has worked wonders for me. Water can ruin copper coins. Just my two cents.
 

WHADIFIND

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What is the best way to clean crusty coppers without damaging or discoloring them???

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So much discussion on the verboten topic of (GASP) cleaning coins! ;)

You'll get answers here but you'll have so many methods to choose from, you might as well not ask. :)

One thing I've learned over many, many years of getting my finds to look their best in my display is that it depends on the find.
The different ways that time and environment affect any one find makes them individuals. Oh sure, there are some overlaps. Somethings work as a sort of standard.
But, if one tries to use one method that worked on one find, they may find that it was the absolute worst thing they could do for another.

One develops an eye for what coins may lend themselves to being "cleaned". Also, that word, "cleaned" means different things to different people.

Until you develop that "eye", I'd suggest posting a good pic of the coin so those who may have the knack might be better able to help. In most cases, it's better to maybe knock the dust off but no more. Sometimes, the only way the detail can be seen is because it's dusty. :)

Good luck!
 

land1987j

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Feb 7, 2013
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? So a guy told me he would let he's coins sit in ketchup for a week..so my dumnass did with all my wheet cents..now they lost color and have greenish tent. .is there anyway to fix them or take that off
 

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bountyhuntergirl86

bountyhuntergirl86

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Okay thank you for the tips everybody ill try them :-)

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Msbeepbeep

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Good luck to you, hope you find what works for you! HH!
 

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bountyhuntergirl86

bountyhuntergirl86

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? So a guy told me he would let he's coins sit in ketchup for a week..so my dumnass did with all my wheet cents..now they lost color and have greenish tent. .is there anyway to fix them or take that off

To much acid in ketchup... that sucks

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bountyhuntergirl86

bountyhuntergirl86

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So much discussion on the verboten topic of (GASP) cleaning coins! ;)

You'll get answers here but you'll have so many methods to choose from, you might as well not ask. :)

One thing I've learned over many, many years of getting my finds to look their best in my display is that it depends on the find.
The different ways that time and environment affect any one find makes them individuals. Oh sure, there are some overlaps. Somethings work as a sort of standard.
But, if one tries to use one method that worked on one find, they may find that it was the absolute worst thing they could do for another.

One develops an eye for what coins may lend themselves to being "cleaned". Also, that word, "cleaned" means different things to different people.

Until you develop that "eye", I'd suggest posting a good pic of the coin so those who may have the knack might be better able to help. In most cases, it's better to maybe knock the dust off but no more. Sometimes, the only way the detail can be seen is because it's dusty. :)

Good luck!

Thanks a lot :-)

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huntsman53

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Jun 11, 2013
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mineral oil and q-tips ...and maybe a toothpick....

I agree! Soak the coins in mineral oil for several weeks or more to loosen dirt and corrosion, then remove the dirt and corrosion with Q-tips, a toothpick or green Rose Thorn. I sometimes use Virgin Olive Oil but it does tend to darken some coppers!


Frank
 

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TheRingFinder

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May I ask, why are you trying to clean up the coppers?
 

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bountyhuntergirl86

bountyhuntergirl86

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Gives Me something to do.. and I like to make them look there best..

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