Clean Your Metal Detecting Finds

Clean Your Metal Detecting Finds
      

Learn how to clean just about any metal detecting find the right way. In this section of our metal detecting website we give you various techniques for cleaning those finds with step by step instructions. You will be surprised at just how easy and effective some of these methods for cleaning metal detecting finds are. But before you get started I would like to give you a fare warning! As tempting as it is, sometimes your metal detecting finds are better off left in their dirty corroded state. The cleaning of a valuable coin or relic can destroy it's monetary and collectable value. You must be very aware of what you have before you start cleaning. It is up to you to find out what value your finds have and ultimately make the decision of whether or not to clean. If your sure cleaning your metal detecting finds is the way to go then follow along while we show you various methods for cleaning those hard earned metal detecting finds.
      

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http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,7513.msg46854.html#msg46854

Its about time !! We really need a "Coin Cleaning" topic written by our own forum members , so this will be a great starting point . Thank-You Christian !!    2 thumbs up !!

HH...........Eugene

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http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,7513.msg47829.html#msg47829

How is cleaning conflicting? Don't confuse cleaning your finds with polishing or restoring them. Cleaning a coin is a necessary process best done slowly and expertly. You can become expert at cleaning and resist polishing a coin quite easily.

If you don't clean a find, the process of loss due to corrosion will continue at a molecular level from the dirt and chemicals left behind. Once exposed to air, some metals will corrode further and they need to be treated or you will lose them. Some metals need an outer layer of corrosion to suspend further corrosion.

When you make a find, the first thing you need to determine is the type of metal it is. Silver and copper coins are easy but a medallion may not be. I have some coins from foreign countries that are steel based and plated. Where the plating wears off or scratches has blooming corrosion on the area. The coin is being eaten away by internal corrosion. They're of no value even if in perfect condition so I use them as training aids to show others what has to be done to save a coin.

In those cases, the coin needs to be sealed using clear varnish but only after you clean it. All old corrosion must be removed and you must get to the base metal. In some cases, the oxidation can be reversed a little by using electrolysis. Sealing it with varnish after you clean it thoroughly is sometimes the only way to preserve a coin.

It's a complicated subject, after all is said and done. The decision to clean is easy. Do it. The decision to polish and restore is the hard part.

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http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,7513.msg50935.html#msg50935

very good

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http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,7513.msg51109.html#msg51109