Cleaning crusty copper.

markinswpa · Dec 29, 2019

If I dig a copper coin or token that has a nice green patina and the detail is visible I'm content to leave it alone. But when its so crusty you can barely make out what it is I feel the need to bring the detail to light. Yesterday I dug a Ihp, a 1909 and only at a certain angle and light could you make out the date. So I had at it and it came out a bit better than I hoped. I soaked it for about 30 minutes with Gojo, then rubbed gently between my thump and forefinger using my thumbnail to scrape some of the crust. Dryed it off without rubbing and then buffed it with Ren wax and Q-tip.

waltr · Dec 30, 2019

That IHC came out nice.

But this may not work with all copper coins/tokens.
Many do not have a hard green patina under the crud. Instead they have a patina that has softer corrosion underneath and is easily lifted when wet.

ToySoldier · Dec 30, 2019

waltr said:
That IHC came out nice.

But this may not work with all copper coins/tokens.
Many do not have a hard green patina under the crud. Instead they have a patina that has softer corrosion underneath and is easily lifted when wet.

Yep. I don't get my coppers wet unless I"m going all the way and tumbling them. The green patina is so fragile on some of them that even a quick soak and rubbing in olive oil will start to remove it. Yet, others with the thick patina look better and better with the same treatment.

I do need to try this Gojo method. I've seen enough examples now to believe there's something to it, especially on the nickels.

ToySoldier · Dec 30, 2019

markinswpa said:
If I dig a copper coin or token that has a nice green patina and the detail is visible I'm content to leave it alone. But when its so crusty you can barely make out what it is I feel the need to bring the detail to light. Yesterday I dug a Ihp, a 1909 and only at a certain angle and light could you make out the date. So I had at it and it came out a bit better than I hoped. I soaked it for about 30 minutes with Gojo, then rubbed gently between my thump and forefinger using my thumbnail to scrape some of the crust. Dryed it off without rubbing and then buffed it with Ren wax and Q-tip.

Is this the Gojo original or natural formula? I think the natural has an orange label and the original is white and red.

markinswpa · Dec 30, 2019

ToySoldier said:
Is this the Gojo original or natural formula? I think the natural has an orange label and the original is white and red.

TS I'm looking into Gojo without pumice. Although if you don't rub it hard it doesn't seem to take away detail. It also does a nice job of loosening the black gunk on war nickels. Good luck in 2020, Mark

diggin4clad · Dec 31, 2019

Nice job cleaning the Indian. Most of the ones I've found are so pitted that cleaning them doesn't matter.

markinswpa · Dec 31, 2019

I agree

waltr said:
That IHC came out nice.

But this may not work with all copper coins/tokens.
Many do not have a hard green patina under the crud. Instead they have a patina that has softer corrosion underneath and is easily lifted when wet.

Yes I hear you. I would only do it if you have no other recourse and are thinking of throwing it in the tumbler I would try this first. HH Mark

Cleaning crusty copper.

markinswpa

Attachments

waltr

Elite Member

ToySoldier

ToySoldier

markinswpa

Attachments

diggin4clad

Elite Member

markinswpa

Similar threads