Is there ever an instance where you would use a dip to clean a coin and what dip would you use if you were going to?
For silver coins only. If there was bad toning/tarnish, yet the underlying luster was good enough that I was sure it hadn't been badly dipped already. If you can't tell , it would be a guess as to how it would come out, but usually not good. I would use the old Jeweluster/EZest formula, but I would dilute it 1:10 with distilled water in a small beaker before I use it. This decreases the activity of the sulfuric acid/thiourea greatly and allows a person to be able to better see what is happening. I really don't advocate the SpeedDip version, as it is even more concentrated and more use in industrial applications. Solutions should be disposed and not returned to the container. I know they call it a dip, but where do you think the ions you remove from the toned/tarnished go? They stay in the solution if you dip it. That is why extensive rinsing is needed to avoid future problems if you don't dispose of used solutions. That is my opinion. You can always re-dip, but you can't UN-DIP. Jim
I have been using a small plastic coffee scoop drilled a few hoes in the bottom as to hold the coin being dipped. This way i dont have to use plastic gloves as they always split when i put them on. Then i use the scoop and do the same thing in rinsing the coin, replacing the rinse after every coin .
The only reason I've used a dip was b/c there was a haze or smokey looking substance on a couple of coins. The dipping worked well and was needed in those cases. I used Tarnx. Same Tarnx, a different day and I ruined a dime which had turned black from the previous owner. You gotta be really careful.
Not sure but are referring to the many DIPS on this forum? Many of my neighbors are really DIPS too. :whistle: If referring to coins, none of the DIPS around me would be usefull in handling my coins so I avoid those. In the real world I've used almost anything imaginable for dipping coins. Not ones of any value though. In the past I've actually purchased coins that were highly polished, coated with something, plated, cleaned, etc. Then used as an experiment piece. I've used Paint thinners, Laquer thinners, Acetone, Gasoline, Kerosine, Vinegar, Tomato juices and on and on and on. In almost every instance it usually proved to be a waste of time, money and effort. A few, very few, turned out to look a bit normal. Once a 95 Double Die Lincoln was purchased really cheap. Large finger print on the obverse. Many of the above mentioned items had no effect. Finally the Silver Cleaner from Walmart actually did work removing the fingerprint. Rare instance though. Not long ago the use of Acetone on some coins proved to be weird. Usually everyone tells you Acetone has no effect on coins. A Large Cent turned really Red from that. No, not the red used to discribe Copper coins but a really bright red. As a general rule no coins should be cleaned, dipped, etc. Might help but might really mess them up too.
I'm partial to a good guacamole, or a nice spicy green chili dip, but I can't see how that might benefit a coin's appearance. Sorry, the holidays have my mind set on food, and you did ask my preferred choice of dips. Guy~
Coleguy, I like a nice smoked salmon cream cheese dip myself! I have never used a coin cleaner or any subsitute for one before,but I do have some silver that is old and black,I also have a pile of scrap silver coins to experiment on. I have never cleaned a coin before but most of this silver is investment silver not collection silver,so I'm not as worried about it as I would be a expensive coin,just want it to look purty again thanks.
I've never tried dipping a coin. I have cleaned silver before and have used tarn-x dip and it worked really great. Not sure how it might work on a coin. We had to clean a tuba that is solid silver that had smoke damage from a fire. 3 bottles of tarn-x in the tub and it turned out looking like new again. Guy~
I'am kinda leaning towards a french onion with a hint of scotch bonnet mixed in for some pizazzzzzzzzz :eating:
liquid courage If you need an ethanol solvent, Rossvile Gold Shield (191 proof) can be used. And properly diluted (say 1:1) with a splash of vermouth and an olive, can help you get over any mistakes you made when dipping coins.
