Coinserv Solvent, BU Plus and Durmashield: Good or bad for rare coins?

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by brinssig, May 26, 2020.

  1. brinssig

    brinssig Active Member

    I just learned of 2 cleaners called Coinserv and BU Plus which are used for removing contaminants from rare coins. Does anyone know if these are any good or do they harm coins? Also there is something called Durmashield which is supposed to shield your hands from harmful chemicals when treating rare coins. Does Durmashield also get on the coins if your hands are coated with it?
     
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  3. BlackberryPie

    BlackberryPie I like pie

  4. Mountain Man

    Mountain Man Supporter! Supporter

    My experience with BU Plus® has been less than advertised, so wouldn't recommend it based upon my using it. The other products I have no knowledge of. I have tried many "cleaners" on junk coins to determine if they can do as advertised, without damaging the coin, and haven't really found any that I'm happy with. Good old acetone baths and distilled water are still my "go to" cleaners.
     
  5. desertgem

    desertgem Senior Errer Collecktor

  6. desertgem

    desertgem Senior Errer Collecktor

  7. brinssig

    brinssig Active Member

  8. desertgem

    desertgem Senior Errer Collecktor

  9. desertgem

    desertgem Senior Errer Collecktor

    Generally so, but most also do not remove material from coins unless it is organic and not metallic compounds (like verdigris) . High molecular weight ones ( oils) make them shinier, but graders would notice. Acetone is what I would use instead.

    If people want to experiment first on low value coins, its educational and fun, but if it is to use on a valuable coin to send for grading, I recommend caution.
    IMO, Jim
     
  10. Conder101

    Conder101 Numismatist

    A pure hydrocarbon probably won't, but unless it is a very low molecular weight hydrocarbon, it will probably leave an oily film behind on the coin, and isn't that why you are "cleaning" them in the first place? To remove contaminents from the surface of the coin. What good is a "cleaner" that leaves its own contaminents behind.

    Frankly most contaminents you are going to want to be removing from you coins (unless you are trying to remove toning/tarnish) can be removed with either distilled water or acetone, both of which are pretty safe, harmless to the coins, and probably cheaper than these cleaners.
     
  11. GDJMSP

    GDJMSP Numismatist Moderator

    If and until someone invents a completely new compound/concoction or whatever you wanna call it - there are 4 things that when used properly are safe to use on coins.
    1 - distilled water
    2 - acetone
    3 - xylene
    4 - coin dip

    That's it.

    And yeah, you could throw in alcohol but one of the 4 above always does a better job than it does.
     
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