electrolytic deoxidation examples

Experimenting in coin brightening. Heavily circulated coins.

 

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Here I have an example of a very brown wheat cent which I've brightened using electrolosys. Don't worry. I checked. This was 1 cup filtered water one tbsp baking soda, pinch of iodized salt, boiled and dissolved. 9v battery copper speaker wire negative to coin and graphite from carpenter pencil as cathode positive. Acetone bath first. Don't forget to rinse. I like it but you be your own judge.

 

Very simple setup

 

This one turned a purple hue. Pretty cool.

 

I love it, I am going to have some fun playing around with this.......I wonder what 3 extra volts could do?

 

experiment please first, I think 9v is pretty strong. only took 1 minute for this setup. Don't forget to post your experience. GL, OH and don't forget to rinse in filtered water!!!

 

Here's some silver, I'm not thrilled although it undeniably cleaner, I think I like my silver dirty.

 

Its funny, cause i started setting aside the darker coins I find, starting to like their tone...

 

Yup me too, patina is nice on silver but copper is just UGLY, IMO.

 

I've done some brightning on zinc coins with MS-70 though and I do like the results.

 

Copper cents are my most fav coin, zinc however, my least fav.

 

Yeah not too much to like about that cheap zinc there's some Nickel in it though if it makes you feel better. And hey don't forget negative to the coin do not reverse the polarity you'll ruin your coin.

 

I'd leave out the salt. Even though some of them will be chased to the other electrode, chloride ions are never great news for copper. Plus, they'll effectively turn into bleach as the reaction progresses, which is even worse for coins.

 

Hey Jeff, Yea I tried with and without, you get different effects. The amount of iodized salt I used on the first one was tiny not even 1/4 tsp per cup. Without the salt tends to get very coppery. Plus I rinse well. I'm confident the result is locked in but if it changes I'll post here. Sorry I retract the coppery effect... That happens with the vinegar. I'll post a pic of elec with no salt...

 

I am not a huge fan of toning, but looks pretty good

 

I did this one with heat first, Yikes!!!

 

I love the fact we have these cheap wheats we can toy around with.

 

Results may vary. I'm finding it difficult to get consistant results. Could be due to the actual surface of coins. Salt did not make much difference.

 

do you leave the positive end out alltogether?

 

whats the graphite do then, or why bother even hooking that up?