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Aluminum Token Cleaning - Example

AirmetTango

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Apr 14, 2017
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I read an article recently on cleaning trade tokens, and it recommended using a baking soda paste for cleaning the ones made out of aluminum. I decided to give it a shot on an aluminum play coin that I found at the recent group hunt at ChrisMD's family farm and I was very pleased with the results, so I figured I'd share some before/after pics. The whole process is very simple - I just created a thick paste using standard baking soda and a touch of water, then applied it to the coin and scrubbed with a soft bristled toothbrush. I kept repeating the process until I was satisfied with the results...probably less than 10 minutes in this case.

I didn't take any really close up shots right out of the ground, so the top picture is the best I have before any cleaning was done (the play coin is at the very bottom of the shot). The next two pictures show the front and back after cleaning with dish soap, water, and a toothbrush only. Then the last two pictures show the front and back after cleaning using baking soda - fantastic difference! There is still some light staining and small corrosion spots, but overall it's a dramatic improvement:
 

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After trying the technique on a couple other aluminum items, I liked the results well enough that I decided to try it on an early 1900s aluminum trade token that I found recently. The token is in pretty rough shape - bent up a bunch and a lot of corrosion. Although certainly not perfect, I think the overall appearance and readability of the token is much improved after the baking soda treatment. Again, the first photos are straight out of the ground, the middle two are after cleaning with dish soap, water, and soft toothbrush, and the last two are after cleaning with baking soda paste and toothbrush:
 

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Wow those turned out great. I found an aluminum play coin and tried toothpaste and tooth brush, didn’t know the aluminum was eaten up a bit, so ended up with little holes, where the dirt had been. Next time (ha! Only found 1 in 5 years) I’ll try baking soda.... thanks!
 
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