Hey guys i was looking around online today and read that someone that sells on ebay uses windex on the coins he or she sells. I never thought about windex before. What would it do to a coin? I feel like i should grab some junkers and see what happens. but I figga ask you all first, instead of waist my last few sprits of my oh so valued windex. I really have to write that down on the shopping list. I keep forgetting. lol Windex whats it do?
Me too, Maybe it wouldnt hurt the clads so much but, I would think maybe wreck copper. Silver and gold im afraid to try that.
Haven't any of you seen "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"? Windex is the universal fix-it for everything,second only to duct tape.
What, pray tell, is the chemical composition of Windex? What is its PH, and what, if any, specific concentrations of acidic or alkaline components does it contain? Without that information there's really no way to predict the effect of immersion on the various metallic compositions of coinage. Of course even with that information, those of us who lack a degree in chemistry still couldn't predict it very well.
Windex would be highly basic as it contains ammonia, and if I recall correctly ammonia has a ph around 10-11. I have heard of people who specialize in ancients using it. I would suspect to turn it a dark toned color.
the PERFECT cleaner would have a pH of 7.0... a.k.a. distilled water. If I can't get it off with water, I won't try, unless cleaning will raise the value of a coin. I do clean some display coins, such as custom 20th century coin holder, and I've even replated some 1943 cents (lots of places do it, including Littleton Coins, except they overprice theirs). But, something that's very alkali or very acidic will ruin the coin. Many people don't know that little piece of chemistry (e.g. "battery acid" from an alkaline battery is actually a base, but if it gets on your skin, it will still burn, and you need vinegar or a similar acid to neutralize it if this ever happens... fun but useful piece of trivia) Also, if you can't get distilled water, pour some water in a container and let it sit for at least 24 hours (add enough so it doesn't all evaporate) to get rid of the chlorine. But I don't even use windex for my coin holders/displays! I actually use an alcohol swab, as it isn't as mseey and does just as good (or even better) at cleaning as windex.
Note that Windex is a brand name. Many window cleaners have similar, but not exact, chemical compositions. Even Windex occationally changes their formulae. Alcohol is basically a gas at room temperature so note that what you purchase usually says 70 % Alcohol. This indicates other chemicals are present and usually not always of a desireable composition. Never, ever use tap water. Allowing it to stand will only dissipate the Chlorine used in many areas for germisiding purposes. Tap water also changes in composition practically hourly pending on the piping it goes through, your area you live, household water softeners, etc. If you ever let a pot of tap water evaporate completely you'll be shocked at the stuff left over that would be on your coins if used. Note that water softeners are basically a NaCl (salt) system. That is also why you should never use such water for plants. The NaCl will eventually kill plants. In water NaCl is ionic and will actually react with some coin materials.
