Average mechanical cleaning time?

Roy W

Praetorian
Posts: 98

Average mechanical cleaning time?

« on: November 04, 2022, 01:11:50 pm »

Hello, all!

I’m just curious how long, on average, it takes you pros (you’re all pretty pro to me) to mechanically clean a coin. Assume DW soaked for a week or so, Antoninianus size, favorite scalpels, pics, brushes, etc in hand.

I know it doesn’t really ultimately matter, but I’m just that guy that always wants to know how he’s doing.

Thanks!

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Roy W

Praetorian
Posts: 98

Re: Average mechanical cleaning time?

« Reply #1 on: November 04, 2022, 01:13:14 pm »

I’ll start…like 10 friggin hours on a good day 🤣

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Nathaniel N2

Consul
Posts: 141
A Lover of History and Art

Re: Average mechanical cleaning time?

« Reply #2 on: November 04, 2022, 05:16:39 pm »

It really depends on the coin. I spend 4 hours on hard dirt on a dupondius once, another time I spent 2 hours cleaning the soft dirt and green encrustations from a silvered Gallienus, I've also spent 5 minutes on a coin that only took distilled water.

My favorite tool is the fiberglass brush. I feel that that does a great job but rubbing them straight on hard dirt like I do tends to wear them out quickly.

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Roy W

Praetorian
Posts: 98

Re: Average mechanical cleaning time?

« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2022, 06:00:41 pm »

Are you talking about the fiberglass scratch brush or the Andres pencil?

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Joe Sermarini

Owner, President
FORVM STAFF
Caesar
Posts: 12126
All Coins Guaranteed for Eternity.

Re: Average mechanical cleaning time?

« Reply #4 on: November 04, 2022, 06:08:17 pm »

Never more than 10 minutes at a time. Total time? No idea.

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Joseph Sermarini
Owner, President
FORVM ANCIENT COINS

Nathaniel N2

Consul
Posts: 141
A Lover of History and Art

Re: Average mechanical cleaning time?

« Reply #5 on: November 04, 2022, 06:22:11 pm »

The one that is sold in a red plastic container with a black spin top.

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Roy W

Praetorian
Posts: 98

Re: Average mechanical cleaning time?

« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2022, 10:26:45 pm »

@nathaniel that’s interesting. Are you using only the fiber brush? If so, does it eventually completely clean the coins? How long?

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SC

Tribunus Plebis Perpetuus
IMPERATOR
Caesar
Posts: 6068

Re: Average mechanical cleaning time?

« Reply #7 on: November 06, 2022, 08:46:58 am »

I'm more like Joe. I sometimes spend a bit more than 10 minutes at a time if I get hooked, but no more than 15-20 and that's rare. Longer than that and I find that frustration and impatience start and then I risk doing something stupid as I attempt shortcuts.

So after the brief time I move on to another coin or do something else entirely and go back to it another day.

Makes it hard to keep track of total time though.

SC

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SC
(Shawn Caza, Ottawa)

Nathaniel N2

Consul
Posts: 141
A Lover of History and Art

Re: Average mechanical cleaning time?

« Reply #8 on: November 06, 2022, 12:45:12 pm »

@Roy, I've also been using a bamboo skewer, and a simple sewing needle quite a bit. I have noticed that some of my diamond encrusted tools leave very tiny scratches so I try not to use them except when absolutely necessary. Yesterday I finished cleaning up this As of Hadrian, it took a few hours but the patina remained in great condition.