Go Bills
Jr. Member
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Thread Owner
Destructive vs. Non-Destructive cleaning- AUG '05 Coins Mag. Article
Hi y'all,
This is my first time posting and MD newbie, but I have collected coins since i was a child. I was reading an article in the Aug 2005 Coins mag (I'll have to double check that date) on cleaning methods. The author described 2 categories, Destructive vs. Non-Destructive cleaning. He went on to re-state some of the things I've read on the posts, such as rubbing with a soft cloth (that has picked up abrasives) or fingers is actually destructive, bc when viewed with a Lupe, scratch marks can be seen. He also stated that popular baking soda, and CLR and other type solvent are destructive because they take off a thin layer of metal that the coin was minted with.
As for non destructive methods, he listed these 3.
1. Water soak with non detergent soap
2. Acetone
3. Olive Oil soak
Which of these 3 methods works best for you? It was also noted to PAT coins dry with e soft cloth, not to rub. I guess it also comes down to why you collect, if you plan to someday sell or just enjoy your collection. I know that some coin grading agencies do not grade "cleaned" coins. But he did not state ( if i recall correctly) that non destructive coins would be graded by someone like PCGS or NGS.
WARNING I found this on the net regarding acetone
How can acetone affect my health?
If you are exposed to acetone, it goes into your blood which then carries it to all the organs in your body. If it is a small amount, the liver breaks it down to chemicals that are not harmful and uses these chemicals to make energy for normal body functions. Breathing moderate- to-high levels of acetone for short periods of time, however, can cause nose, throat, lung, and eye irritation; headaches; light-headedness; confusion; increased pulse rate; effects on blood; nausea; vomiting; unconsciousness and possibly coma; and shortening of the menstrual cycle in women.
OPINIONS on cleaning
thanks, ordered an ace250 from eBay based on its high praise throughout the site, can't wait to start finding some of my own coins.
Hi y'all,
This is my first time posting and MD newbie, but I have collected coins since i was a child. I was reading an article in the Aug 2005 Coins mag (I'll have to double check that date) on cleaning methods. The author described 2 categories, Destructive vs. Non-Destructive cleaning. He went on to re-state some of the things I've read on the posts, such as rubbing with a soft cloth (that has picked up abrasives) or fingers is actually destructive, bc when viewed with a Lupe, scratch marks can be seen. He also stated that popular baking soda, and CLR and other type solvent are destructive because they take off a thin layer of metal that the coin was minted with.
As for non destructive methods, he listed these 3.
1. Water soak with non detergent soap
2. Acetone
3. Olive Oil soak
Which of these 3 methods works best for you? It was also noted to PAT coins dry with e soft cloth, not to rub. I guess it also comes down to why you collect, if you plan to someday sell or just enjoy your collection. I know that some coin grading agencies do not grade "cleaned" coins. But he did not state ( if i recall correctly) that non destructive coins would be graded by someone like PCGS or NGS.
WARNING I found this on the net regarding acetone
How can acetone affect my health?
If you are exposed to acetone, it goes into your blood which then carries it to all the organs in your body. If it is a small amount, the liver breaks it down to chemicals that are not harmful and uses these chemicals to make energy for normal body functions. Breathing moderate- to-high levels of acetone for short periods of time, however, can cause nose, throat, lung, and eye irritation; headaches; light-headedness; confusion; increased pulse rate; effects on blood; nausea; vomiting; unconsciousness and possibly coma; and shortening of the menstrual cycle in women.
OPINIONS on cleaning
thanks, ordered an ace250 from eBay based on its high praise throughout the site, can't wait to start finding some of my own coins.
