Waterpik cleaning

I posted this on another thread, but got no response. If a spot on a coin in a hard-to-reach place is verdigris or some other 'soft' junk, could you possibly use a Waterpik or some small water jet thing to remove it? I have a number of coins with that stuff on them, and I don't want to scratch anything trying to remove it.

 

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I've never heard of using a Waterpik for cleaning coins. Not sure how it would work or the effect it would have. Maybe you should experiment by using the same type coin that is not valuable.

 

Can you give us a little more information like what kids of coins, grades and general values? Lots of people here can give some advice, but it depends on the details. For instance if your referring to low value ancient coins it’s a way different approach then Some high value moderns. But a quick answer is unless you know what you are doing don’t clean a coin, and a waterpik is definitely not an experts tool to say the least.

 

It is intriguing, for either ancients or moderns. Wait to see what a consensus is.

 

Of course I would experiment on junk stuff first. Dateless Buffaloes, silver hole-fillers, et.c I should have had a pic of something before I asked. The acetone thing is most likely a better way to go, as is not cleaning at all. I was just wondering. I may try it anyway and let you all know the outcome. Please continue to respond to this.

 

I think a better tool for removing the hard stuff would be one of those high frequency “water picks” the dentist uses to get the plaque off your teeth. I have no idea what damage might occur, but I bet it will get the hard stuff off. I think you can buy one for between $200 and $400.

 

How about using a can of compressed air or high powered air compressor GD?

 

No those will scratch the living daylights out of it. Those use water to flush the plaque away, but they use a metal point vibrating at ultrasonic speeds to break it up.

A waterpic MIGHT be OK for washing away dirt, but any grit in the dirt will act as a tiny sandblaster.

 

My dentist uses ultrasonic tool for cleaning teeth. Not sure how that differs from a high pressure water pick but it would be an interesting experiment on a worthless coin.

 

As a note of caution, only use denatured water in a water-pik to test your theory. Putting acetone or other chemicals in a water-pik will probably melt the plastic parts.

 

Thanks everyone for the input. I guess what I really wanted to clean off is the soft stuff, now that know what verdigris is. The usually dark junk crammed into the recesses of the devices bothers me and I want it gone. I'll try soaking rather than anything harsh.

 

Ha, my wife works for Waterpik. This might be an application they never anticipated.

 

Sodium sesquicarbonate?

 

Uh...don't use this...

 

water under the pressure of air is roughly the same thing as sand blasting, or "pressure cleaning" it's abrasive.
if you are going to do it, practice a lot on coins of little value with the same material and composition, And I'd suggest using only distilled water so there aren't any contaminants like minerals in it. Waterpik itself claims it's less abrasive than brushing or flossing and won't cause bleeding, but they do not say it's not abrasive at all, just that it's less abrasive and won't cause bleeding, even on people with sensitive gums or gum disease.

Water under pressure is still abrasive though or even moving slowly, the common term would be "erosion". gentle rain won't hurt you but over time it carves rocks.

I expect a waterpik could work, I also expect it could cause damage to the coin, and even so, you never really know what you will uncover until you uncover it, the thing you dislike and want to remove may uncover an even bigger eyesore.

 

Yup, the only question was how to make the solution. Could probably search CT for it, mixing sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate if memory serves correctly.