With all the posts about conserving and cleaning coins, I've not seen any discussion about using ultrasonic cleaners. I use a ultrasonic cleaner with a heater and SS case for cleaning my eyeglasses and various machine parts and tools I make in my machine shop. Also works great for cleaning small carburetors and jewelry. I have tried it on cheap, crudded-up coins with mixed results using dishsoap/water and also acetone (very dangerous and not recommended!). My question amounts to a quest for other's experiences using this tool for gently cleaning coins and for any tips about cleaning solutions/techniques, etc. One of my concerns is about using it such that the crud from the coin falls off and the coin then lays in it with the crud then acting to abrade the coin. I guess I could machine a soft aluminum collar and suspend the coin into the solution from above. Thoughts?
Maybe lay it on some nylon mesh material, or cheese cloth? How long do you leave it in the device? Do you use it on potentially brittle/damaged ancients? My only experience using ultrasonic cleaners was for golf clubs (mainly my wedges...oh, & my putter! ) & it worked great for that.
A quick search of CT topics came up with lots of posts about Ultrasonic cleaners. https://www.cointalk.com/search/4565668/?q=Using+ultrasonic+to+clean+coins&o=date
Mountain Man, thanks for the search results. I did a search but came up with 0 results so, being new here, I must have done it incorrectly. PlanoSteve, I have tried on some dirty bronze Lincoln cents and a Mexican half reale. While 15 seconds is enough to clean my glasses, I've left the coins in for several minutes. I would be concerned about using the UT on brittle, cracked, porous coins.
