cleaning steelies

[ericodapro]

Just wondered since steelies dont have the toning issues that copper does, what is the best way to clean them?

[jcuve]

I wouldn't and haven't. They're steel plated with a thin layer of zinc, which reacts to everything. One false move and the plating is toast. Of course, maybe someone knows something I don't?

[corroded]

Don't cook them. Can't do that either. I have "cooked" hundreds of rolls of wheats
all with great results, all dirt embedded around design details dissolved and gone, does not harm copper pennies. I did couple steel pennies that got overlooked and they came out rusted beyond repair. I have even experimented with wire wheel on
grinder, holding penny in needle-nose pliars. Works great for an old beat up, unreadable steel cent that was worthless anyway. Shines them right up. I imagine
once that zinc coating is gone, so is the steel cent--unless someone knows something else.

Bill

[BadThad]

Never clean coins! Do you have any pictures?

[jupiterkm1]

Years and years ago, in my overwhelming ignorance, I soaked a couple pounds of rusted steelies in "must for rust". Half the coins came out looking completely rust free, shiny, but the zinc coat damaged and worn off, and ANACS obviously refused to grade because of "altered surface". The other half ended up with permanent dullness and embedded stains without the rust. It was a good learning experience. Stupid but illuminating.
Kevin

[Brad]

I would not clean or cook any coins. I am hesitant to even suggest goo gone or acetone.

[Cdiddle]

Without sounding really ignorant, what do you do? Lately the boxes of lincolns I have been getting are really nasty. On some coins the date is covered over with a greasy chunk of black crud or the motto will be partially covered with a build up of something. So far I have a pile of these not knowing how to clean them. Any help appreciated.

[Bri]

Good point. I would like to know how to do that without damaging the surface too.

[jcuve]

Try soaking in goo-gone and roll a q-tip over the impacted area. I hear a rose thorn works well to remove small clumps, but it should be done under magnification. Whatever you do, don't do anything to a valuable coin (monetary or sentimental) - just crap coins until you are sure you are not messing up the surface. Believe me, it is easy to permanently alter a Lincoln cents surface and experienced collectors will know within seconds of seeing it that it has been altered.

[corroded]

I have been without computer for three days. I"cooking" is putting up to 15 rolls in old electric skillet, covering them with baking soda, covering with enough water to cover them all, bring to rolling boil, when black foam appears, they are done, dump them in sink, rinse them off, lay them all spread out on a towell, in the sunshine or with a hair dryer, dry them off. Be as skeptical as you like, this works and works well. I was told how to do this by prominenet and well know collector and author of
variety cents,if he does this then i can do it. And it works. Does not harm the penny. Try it, you'll like it. Pick out the steels, pick out the UNC's (boiling turns them a little blue, as for overly corroded cents, it will not do them any better. Use
your other cleaning ways (goo gone, etc). I have done hundreds of rolls with great
results, wish I had know this sooner. Like i said---try a few!

Bill

[BadThad]

Without sounding really ignorant, what do you do? Lately the boxes of lincolns I have been getting are really nasty. On some coins the date is covered over with a greasy chunk of black crud or the motto will be partially covered with a build up of something. So far I have a pile of these not knowing how to clean them. Any help appreciated.

DO NOT CLEAN unless it's a coin worth less than a buck. Conservation is the first step. It's possible to address problems without resorting to a harsh cleaning. I've conserved thousands of coins. Always start with the solvent polarity ladder, assuming the coin is worth the effort. Soak the coin in following solvents in this order to see which one may remove the surface residue:

1) distilled water
2) acetone
3) xylene

If you have coins found in circulation and you simply want to be able to read the date to decide if the coin might be something, simply take it to the sink with running hot water and hold it under. If needed, rub between your fingers, do NOT use anything but you fingers just in case it is something. Hot water like this will remove most surface residues enough to where you can make out the date and mint mark.

Just an FYI - I'm a chemist and coin conservation is my passion. If you have more questions, feel free to ask.

[BadThad]

Try soaking in goo-gone and roll a q-tip over the impacted area. I hear a rose thorn works well to remove small clumps, but it should be done under magnification. Whatever you do, don't do anything to a valuable coin (monetary or sentimental) - just crap coins until you are sure you are not messing up the surface. Believe me, it is easy to permanently alter a Lincoln cents surface and experienced collectors will know within seconds of seeing it that it has been altered.

I am very hesitant to ever recommend Goo-Gone for coins. It contains a few different ingredients that may harm the surface over time. A far better alternative is pure xylene. Goo-Gone is actually a xylene based cleaner + added ingredients.

Also, using a rose thorn should ONLY occur while the coin is submerged in a conservation solvent. They should NEVER be used dry on a coin at the risk of marring the surface and causing permanent damage.

[abe]

Naval Jelly works great on steel cents. Its a rust remover and after a good soaking the coin will have a re-plated look to it.