Yes, if he wants to submit them, he should - it is his coins and his money. However, by virtue of the fact that he thought 1) that cleaned coins would necessarily exhibit hairlines and 2) that "trusted dealers" don't sell cleaned coins, it sounds as if his decision to submit would have been an uninformed one.
I am a participant in the coronet registries. Mikeinfl. And don't tell anyone, but I've submitted many coins to PCGS and gotten virtually all of them graded. That said, I'm not exactly a rookie at collecting copper either having collected them on and off from childhood -- 30 years by the calendar. However, submitting them yourself is not a path I would recommend to someone relatively new to collecting in any way, shape or form, as the OP appears to be by his statements in this thread. Respectfully...Mike
p.s. and for the record, I think the large cent does stand a chance reasonable chance to grade, but would need to see in hand to be sure.
You should be able to submit any coin to PCGS for encapsulation, even if they aren't worth very much. It is what matters to you, not the others. This is your hobby, no one else should be butting in trying to tell you what is best for you. Of course you did ask for advice, but sometimes I notice that good solid and proper advice is sometimes not given. Try to keep that in mind when you are expressing your intentions regarding your coins.