I have received quite a few PMs regarding how I clean my finds.
So I thought that this ugly piece of silver would be a good example of how I do it.
I could easily have posted the pic I took when it came out of the ground. And then posted the clean version after.
But when I got home this is what it looked like. And I hope that you all agree that it is not a pretty sight.
What I do in cases like this where the coin is stained I put it into my reverse electrolysis system.
Which consists of a transformer and a DC power supply. And let the coin thoroughly blacken.
Which normally takes less than 1/2hr. And then I put it into my tumbler.
I personally use a Loretone like this one. The mix I use when tumbling is white aquarium gravel and water with a drop of dish soap.
If I am tumbling silver I add a couple of ounces of vinegar to the mix.
The vinegar helps to cut through the staining.
Do not add vinegar to your mix when you are tumbling copper or brass.
It will not look good when you are done.
When silver coins or rings have been blackened first the tumbling time is substantially reduced.
So there is no excessive wear put on the item by the tumbling.
And since the aquarium gravel is smooth and polished it does not harm the items.
This is the same coin after 1/2hr in the tumbler.
So I thought that this ugly piece of silver would be a good example of how I do it.
I could easily have posted the pic I took when it came out of the ground. And then posted the clean version after.
But when I got home this is what it looked like. And I hope that you all agree that it is not a pretty sight.
What I do in cases like this where the coin is stained I put it into my reverse electrolysis system.
Which consists of a transformer and a DC power supply. And let the coin thoroughly blacken.
Which normally takes less than 1/2hr. And then I put it into my tumbler.
I personally use a Loretone like this one. The mix I use when tumbling is white aquarium gravel and water with a drop of dish soap.
If I am tumbling silver I add a couple of ounces of vinegar to the mix.
The vinegar helps to cut through the staining.
Do not add vinegar to your mix when you are tumbling copper or brass.
It will not look good when you are done.
When silver coins or rings have been blackened first the tumbling time is substantially reduced.
So there is no excessive wear put on the item by the tumbling.
And since the aquarium gravel is smooth and polished it does not harm the items.
This is the same coin after 1/2hr in the tumbler.
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