A new way to clean coins!

someone I am close to recently introduced me to a new way of cleaning coins that I quite like. They said they wouldn't mind if I share, and since I am so impressed with the results I have to share. Steam cleaning coins. If you get a set of rubber tongs, and something like a europro steam cleaner, and use distilled water, you can steam coins. It's high pressure too, so it blasts of dirt, melts off a lot of pvc residue and other stuff. I'm sure some of you may find a potential for damage, but as far as I can tell the only danger here is either to yourself, or possibly dropping the coin.

This method won't remove toning, which is nice as well.

 

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Um not sure if Mrs Orc would look kindly on me purchasing a steam cleaner for my coins LOL do you or your mate have any before & after pics? they would be realy useful tp see.

De Orc :kewl:

 

I disagree. If the damage is there and if there is pitting, cleaning them wouldn't be of much help would it. Also, I don't think it's recommanded for coins that are like crepe thin.

 

GX, I agree on both accounts. I wouldn't ever do this on something like a 3 cent silver piece.

De orc, I don't have any before and after pics. I plan on buying a steam cleaner soon, so after I do, I'll find some grimy coins and hopefully put up pictures if I remember to do so.

 

I once left some coins in my pants pocket and they went through the wash..they came out very clean and shiny..well I tried it on purpose the next load..phooey...nothing happened..not sure what happened the first but have been unable to duplicate that feat!!

 

ZANEMAN,

"STEAM CLEAN YOUR COINS" Better yet why not just glue them to the hood of your car or truck and run them through a car wash.

 

I have a steam cleaner, Never took it to any of my coins. But DEPENDING on what type of coin, what type of substance or the metal its made of, as well as depending on how dirty the coin is would be the main factor in useing a steamer to clean it. Something like a Morgan with PVC wouldbe safe to clean tis way i would think. But a copper or brass type coin might not be a good idea. Distilled water or not. AGE is also anoter factor ad yet ofcourse proper drying. I think i would only use a steamer on something like a silver 0r gold coin that was unearthed or has PVC or or some sorta of oil on it. But with that said. I wold think that it would be a bad way of removing polish. I myself might polish a junk coin and steam it to see what happens. Most polish is of a oil base. So i think it might ot be a bad thing to try. Again this is one of thos things that needs to be done with great care IMO. Good luck with that idea and please post pics after you get out. Like I said i might TEST that out just t osee what happens. I WOULD like to state i dont se eaygood coming from this.

Natesdad

 

lol ,, thats funy i thougt something along those lines when i fist read this. lol

U FUNNY!

 

By using Distilled water or commonly refered to as DI water the distilation process (if it is good) does render 18 ohm water. This is technically pure with 100% of ionic material removed. I like the idea for some coins but the heat generated by the steam can render the metal to change on the immediate surface. Heat transfer on metal objects is a rather well know process....we have all seen the effects of this at one time or another...could be great for PVC, glue, and other gunk such as coins dug up from metal detecting..

RickieB

 

Never, never, never clean rare coins, or any coins...Stupid, stupid, stupid. They will just lose there value.....

 

We steamed several coins, including a proof morgan, several proof seated halfs, several 20 dollar gold pieces, a proof 5 dollar indian, and some proof liberty nickels. Every single one came out looking better after the steaming. All coins were crackouts, and after they resubmitted the coins, most were upgraded.

I'm not saying you can steam any coin and make it nicer. He specifically picked out coins that had altered surfaces, or haze etc that resulted in a lowered grade.

 

That is why I don't buy slab coins they steam clean them.

"THE FRANK GROUP"

 

fool!

 

personally, I prefer the power washer that I got off QVC.

I just line the coins up on the carport against the house and blast away. Of course, I have to hunt then down in the yard after they get bounce off the house but they are so shiny it's real easy on a sunny day when the sun hits them.

i do like the washing machine method also. I do that mostly for my currency though ..there really isn't a need to "launder" my pocket change...lol.

 

Didn't Forrest Gump clean his coins this way? Pickel juice works better anyway.

 

I would like to see the coins in about 10 years.....

Speedy

 

That's funny. LOL

 

Actually, distilled water only has 99% of ionic materials removed. If it was 100% pure water, that is what it would be called, instead of being called distilled water.

 

The method sounds like it has merit, and is worth further experimentation rather than condemnation. The major problem that I can see is the potential for small marks on a high grade coins from the tiny particles of dirt hitting the surface at high speed during the process. Other than that, it makes sense to try it. If it can pass the TPG slab test, the method is probably something to consider for certain coins that migh benefit or be upgraded.

 

It is actually 99.x % pure..the extra places behind the decimal classifies the water as (WFI) Water for Injection. I work in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, mostly rDNA proteins and use this water 99.999% of the time for cell cultures. That is why I mentioned if the distillation process was a good one.

Glad to see you up on your water..not everyone knows this!

RickieB