Waterpik cleaning

Just buy it rather than make it.

https://www.amazon.com/Sodium-Sesquicarbonate-Alkali-Household-Cleaning/dp/B06ZY7L77Z

 

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I’ve just returned to the hobby after being away since about 1995. I have actually been thinking of purchasing a water pick to use strictly for washing coins (using it with only distilled water and a few drops of Dawn dish liquid). My main purpose is to make sure al finger oils are removed before putting a coin in a 2x2. Thoughts?

 

I’ve just returned to the hobby after being away since about 1995. I have actually been thinking of purchasing a water pick to use strictly for washing coins (using it with only distilled water and a few drops of Dawn dish liquid). My main purpose is to make sure al finger oils are removed before putting a coin in a 2x2. Thoughts?

 

well I don't know if anyone has tried it or their results, but consensus here seems to be it would be ok and not damage the coin, However some here also think canned compressed air is OK though also.

No idea but feel free to give it a shot and tell us how it works.

Pure acetone is the tried and true method of prepping a coin before putting in a 2x2. a little soak in it to remove any surface contaminant and it evaporates off to nothing, just use clean acetone, don't try to save it and use it over and over for a long period.

 

The ultrasonic scalers used by dentists usually have a metal tip, not something you would want to push across the surface of your coins. I believe that these devices in the U.S. are restricted to sales to licensed dentists, but no doubt you can find them on eBay and elsewhere. New, they are expensive and designed to work with a continuous stream of water. The water acts as a transmission medium, provides cooling and washes away loosened material.

The use of ultrasound to clean coins has been discussed a number of times on this forum. Main worry is that they work by causing cavitation ... expanding and contracting gas/vacuum pockets in the fluid ... so cracking flawed or porous coins might happen.

The scalers sold to consumers and advertised as “ultrasonic” aren’t. They vibrate at no more than 12,000x per second, which is sonic, not ultrasonic. Further, they use direct mechanical vibration of the tip, so even the “sonic” designation is arguable. Yeah, anything that vibrates in a gas or liquid will create sound waves, but the real work of consumer scalers is done mostly by the tip moving rapidly against the tooth surface.

Cal

 

Thank you for that explanation. It helps me put it into perspective, and I appreciate that.

 

Wonder if @CamaroDMD uses anything like that...

 

from 2012: Questions:



desertgem
1. Will latex gloves hurt a coin when you handle a coin with them on?
2. Can you handle a coin with your bare fingers if you wash them really good with soap before hand?
3. Will it hurt to store coins in ziplock bags?
4. Will using a waterpik (high pressure water cleaner), damage a coin?
5. What's the best way to remove dirt from the devices of a coin?


1. OK to hold the coin, however latex is damaged by several substances such as alcohols, acetone, and dip type of chemicals. Many CSI protocols say to use 2 layers of latex gloves, or an outer layer of latex glove and inner of cotton glove, as skin secretions can contaminate through. Latex gloves were designed to prevent infectious material to entering the person. Nitrile gloves are mostly safe for alcohols, but not for acetone, etc. unless they are the thick ones. I do not collect MS-70 MODERN PROOFS, etc, so single latex satisfies me.

2. If you are careful yes. Most damage from such is dropping the coin, but that can happen as easily with gloves. DO NOT wash your hands before though. Contrary to common thoughts, washing ( unless you know surgical scrub procedures) will loosen pores and allow skin secretions to be released in greater quantity. In my Microbiology class I had students touch petri plates of nutrient agar with normal fingers and after washing 1,2,and 3 times. The first and second washings had more contamination than the others.

3. No, explained by others above.

4. Not the home dental use one. I have an old thread someplace here, where I tried this *. A waterpik can not generate enough pressure, even when a smaller diameter nozzle is used and a variac to boost the voltage/ pressure by 50%. Maybe a professional dentist water tool could, but I didn't have one to test. Also, you should do it nude or wearing a raincoat as it sure splatters all over
* Couldn't quickly find it.
5. Since this is a scratch harness comparison, few things would be safe to use on copper coins, Although it might seem a no brainer to think that copper can't be scratched by a brush bristle, toothpick, bamboo sliver, immature rose thorn, etc., they can. An experienced DR. can use softened bamboo slivers ( since they are basically hollow tubes) dipped in a solution like acetone to ease the grime out as the acetone flows out like fountain pen ink. However, it is done with a stereo microscope and about 1000+ practice coins, and still they can get scratches. It should not be attempted on a nice coin without such experience. Unfortunately, this is most often what happens.

Jim

 

My coins will never see me nude.

 

I hear good things about a camel hair jewelers brush for copper coins.... but if that's the case wouldn't a Q-tip produce a similar result as long as you aren't being too aggressive with the brushing/wiping?

 

It's not the material of what you are wiping with, but rather of what you may be wiping on the coin. Polishing compound is applied to a car's finish with a very soft buffing cloth, but the compound does the work. If a coin is wiped with the softest microfiber cloth imaginable, the grit that it scrapes over the coin is what does the damage.

 

We have them at the office for our hygienist. They can vibrate up to 30K...and they use this high frequency vibration combined with water to remove debris. I have never tried to use one on a coin but I have no doubt it would be damaging.

As for a "Waterpik" which is designed to irrigate the gums...I doubt it would be very effective as they are quite low pressure.

 

Don't I remember @Insider mentioning previously they use ultrasonic as a final step in professional conservation to ensure any substances which may remain from the actual cleaning are completely removed?

 

I have always heard that when fingerprints have been on a coin for a while, it is nearly impossible to remove them. They become etched into the coin metal. Does anyone know for sure?

 

Years ago there were people using a thorn from a rose bush or some kind of bush to remove stuff from a coin. I've never tried it myself so I don't know if it does.

 

Ultrasonic works.

Also, jewelers use high pressure steam equipment to clean things. Probably works great on coins too.

 

I've never timed anything? What's too long? The only damage I've see is that if any tiny bubbles stay in the same spot on the silver or gold coin's surface they will bore a tiny hole! I suppose if you left a coin in the Ultrasonic - eventually the surface will be damaged.

I don't let the coin touch anything except for plastic tongs on the edge and agitate it the entire time to keep off any bubbles from making a hole.