Vinegar cleaning question

Aquanoggin · Jan 30, 2015

I have kept saltwater reef aquariums for the past decade and know that vinegar will wipe out calcium build up fast. Anyway, I dumped a few smoked wheats and a few old shot shells in a boiling bath of half and half water/vinegar and the copper came to life almost instantly. Is this a bad method for copper, will it oxidize corrode when I remove it from the solution? Thanks!

Aquanoggin · Jan 30, 2015

I have rinsed them thoroughly and have them soaking in DI water now. Any info would be great! As said, they were smoked anyway, but man the color came out.

Mntnclmbr · Jan 30, 2015

Does ok job on copper junk.
I quit using any in my coin tumbler because it tended to cause leaks due to pressure build up.
Will also discolor any coins that are other than copper.

hoser · Jan 30, 2015

I have been tumbling a bunch of clad lately, and they come out looking good till they hit the air then they turn to rainbow colors. I put them back in the tumbler with fresh water and a little soap and they come out looking good. At least they are clean so the bank don't have a hissy fit.

This is the first time I have tumbled my coins so I'm still learning.

Ricki7 · Jan 30, 2015

I have used vineger but never boiled sounds like it works faster, have got to try it . Wouldn't take a chance on any thing good
HH

WildDigger · Jan 30, 2015

Anything other then soap water olive oil and electrolysis will damage a coin. And yes is done wrong or to long electrolysis will ruin it as well.

Aquanoggin · Jan 30, 2015

It cleaned the copper a little too well. They almost look fake now. Would not suggest.

ohiochris · Jan 30, 2015

Vinegar will discolor brass or copper but you can control that to some extent by watering down the vinegar and only doing quick exposure. After that make sure you use something like baking soda ( a base ) to neutralize the acid right away or traces of the acid can still be working away on the metal. Just takes experimentation to get it right.

steveFL · Jan 31, 2015

As others have mentioned once cleaned with vinegar you should immediately neutralize with baking soda/water mix to prevent further rusting, etc. This is how I have always cleaned iron, although have never tried with coins but should produce the same results.

Vinegar cleaning question

Aquanoggin

Full Member

Aquanoggin

Full Member

Mntnclmbr

hoser

Ricki7

WildDigger

Elite Member

Aquanoggin

Full Member

ohiochris

Elite Member

steveFL

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