There is another aspect of this. First, its silly to think the majority of dealers and collectors clean their coins. This argument sounds like what drug users say...everyone else does it, they just aint telling you. Its a circular argument that can't be defended verbally. You just have to wait until the drug user ends up in the morgue. As for cleaning, novice users and others are just so thick skulled about it that nothing short of a direct and unilateral message has any chance of getting through peoples thick skulls. Consider it a conspiracy all you want, your being warned in the sternest language possible DON'T CLEAN YOUR COINS
Every time this subject comes up there appears a new, full proof, greatest, fantastic, etc. method of cleaning coins by someone. And they also have had them slabbed by someone to prove it can be done. And some of these cleaning substances are very dangerous if not handled properly. And then there are these long posts about how to do it, where to do it, what to use. My concern as a person that actually cares about the welfare of children and unknowlegable individuals with chemicals is the lack of proper instructions. Also, so many on the internet just repeat things they've heard and really do not know if they work. Sure would be nice to have a sticky about cleaning coins and only approved posts by the moderators.
I give up. My bud knows what he's talking about. He's done it for 40 years, and now I have proven it as well and he was/is correct. (specifically copper wheats/lighter fluid) The information provided is not. Thanks for the "opinions". The next time a "newbie" asks a question, have the courtesy to preface everything "it is my opinion", because it certainly isn't always based on fact. Sorry to have offended the "coin Gods". You're all grand wizards and no one else is and I'm certainly not. You guys remind me of the Republican party, living in their own little bubble despite the world around them. Got it. Thank you all for this big circle I've been spun in and good day. I'm done. Peace
I feel for Tom, and this is really why I don't post. I love this forum, and am constantly learning, though I have been collecting for a while now. The opinions on here are typically spot on. I do feel that from time to time, the less experienced collectors are given some ribbing, with a certain snootieness from the more seasoned collectors. OR someone who may be experienced with a different opinion than the status quo. So don't worry TOM, just do what I do, watch, read, and learn! There is some great stuff on here.
Tom, hang in there. You will still learn a lot here and it never hurts to hear different opinions. Maybe you can post some pics of your friends coins that have had lighter fluid treatment maybe along side of those without the treatment. See if we can guess which is which? I absolutely agree you will screw up coins accidently with most methods of cleaning. Unless your a have a surgeons' hand, even then you will screw up coins. Probably the longer I collect the less I am wanting to try to fix my coins. The mistakes are too painful to live with. Damaging a $30 raw coin and have to wait for it to tone to hid the scratch is frustrating. I don't like grime on my coins, but I don't like damaging my coins either in an attempt to improve them. That being said, I have improved a number of coins with no scratches whatsoever. You have to be VERY careful. Maybe a year from now I will talk like GD, who knows. Always be open to questioning your beliefs to be sure they are solid and based in fact. This is true in all things in life. That's my peace out.
Sorry, I missed this direct question way back, but No, I can't say that as I don't have any reference point to do so. It is similar to the question of using fingernail polish remover instead of pure acetone. There can be so many proprietary formulations of commercial products such as "remover" and lighter fluid ( your question) that it would be wrong to say it is OK without proof. But I would always say to use pure acetone rather than nail polish remover as I know what is in the pure acetone. I am always suspicious of any compound that has an oil of any sort in it as Boss mentioned sulfur content, and if a sheen lasts longer than it would take water to evaporate, it should be suspect. Jim
you know what you should do is cut and paste this in the resources section that way u can just provide the link in the future ditto for your other complete posts the all belong in the resources section
Nah I'm done Boss. I just wanted some basic information based on specific knowledge or facts (and hopefully somewhat non-biased). I have now found that now via other methods (mostly outside of this particular thread). This place is like some kind of cult of something that you have to earn secret passage to..way too deep. I love coins and will continue to seek accurate information where ever I can find it. There is indeed some here but, not presently what I consider accurate. It's like the Roe vs. Wade in here and I seem to be on the opposing team's view of it. I have found, just tonight, lots of information contrary from many different sources. I've also found many that basically say the same thing as in here. Ultimately I'll decide for myself through trial and error, as well as info searching, and actual specific experience (like my Bud) and from anyone who is willing to provide it, instead of mostly conjecture and predjudiced opinion. It was a simple task I thought, too simple maybe. Who knows, maybe I'll write a book someday. I'm sure glad I encouraged my son to learn and walk. After all, learning to walk conceivably be dangerous, so better not to try, right?
"Terminology is everything". See, I didn't have the right secret code word. I'm sure nobody knew what I meant.
Perhaps you could start with "Yes they can be cleaned" and go from there versus flippant, patronizing and demeaning "tone" (har, har) that is sounded here. I had already gotten the point and tried to be polite, but kept getting "reminded" what a no-no "cleaning" is, like I was some kind of child, rather than honest answers. I don't see how that breeds anything but contempt and indignitity to a "newbie".
It's not a secret code. It's called jargon. It exists on every field of every profession or hobby. You have quite the attitude for a novice. Most of the people here are just trying to help (although sometimes a little less sarcasm wouldn't hurt) with what they know, and most do so very honestly. You clearly have pre-conceived notions, and all you tried to do with the thread was obtain support for them. You didn't like what you heard, and now you are unable to let it go, as if other people were to be blamed for not sharing your opinion. I'll say, it's your coins. If you tried cleaning them with lighter fluid, and you are so very well pleased with the result, go ahead and keep doing it. No need for other opinions. Now you can let go of it and stop being unpleasant.
