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Electrolysis Experiment

A

Anonymous

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Had fun tonight messing around with this electrolysis protocol. Works really well on organic covered coins but I'd never use it on anything truly valuable.
Electrolysis Experiment
http://www.gometaldetecting.com/electrolysis_cleaning.htm
 
Not thrilled how this one worked. Had more corrosion so not so pretty when cleaned.
 
It really worked on this silver ladies dresser set lid, but I liked it much better with the patina! <img src="/metal/html/cry.gif" border=0 width=40 height=15 alt=":cry"> Well, this was a valuable learning experience with electrolysis. I think it's a useful tool under the right conditions. I'll never use it on anything 1) of value 2) with much base corrosion 3) or with a patina I like. A few seconds really brightens up silvers! And if you want to pass that clad quarter without embarrassment, give it a buzz first! <img src="/metal/html/grin.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":grin">
 
Andrew,
You'll have to show me how you do this. Maybe you can set up a demo for the club folks.
Take care,
Tim
 
Always bend over or file down the clip that goes on the coin as it may indeed scratch...
 
The reason I ask is that I played around a little last night. I have a 0-60V, 0-6A power supply. Yeah, I know, that's overkill and then some! I was surprised that with salt and lemon juice I could get the current up to 6A! Bubbled real fast, probably too fast. I was testing it on a wheatie I nearly cut in half with my plugger due to a pinpointing inaccuracy on my part (dumb attack!). Anyway, I boiled the heck out of this coin, and now it's all pitted. Maybe it was pitted before and didn't show it?
If you could tell me what your power supply is rated at, current wise, I would appreciate it.
Also, reversing the polarity is not a good idea... But I wonder if toggling it every couple seconds would have any benefit.
The stainless steel spoon didn't hold up too well to my abuse of high current. I don't think I'll be putting that one back in the silverware drawer! "You sure we used to have 8 spoons dear? Funny, I only remember ever seeing 7..." <img src="/metal/html/biggrin.gif" border=0 width=15 height=15 alt=":D">
Thanks and HH,
Rhoderman
 
I'm using an output of 12V DC 200mA. You really don't need any more than that. As you can see from this pic of a 1920 wheetie, if it's pitted before, it turns into a clean pitted coin! It's the patina that makes these pitted coins even readable. However, cooking a coin too long at a low current, or even for short periods at a high current (out of the mA range) you'll definitely going to start pitting the item.
I haven't found it necessary to add the lemon. This makes the solution more acidic which promotes the reaction. Washing the coin with baking soda afterwards is intended to neutralize this acidity. If you have no lemon, you don't need to add the baking soda.
I like to give these coins a nice fingerthumb baking soda rub to scrub off the crud the electrolysis loosened up.
We also have only 7 teaspoons in our set! Warning to others, this process pits the heck out of the spoon!
 
Yep, I don't see where you got any improvement on the '20 wheatie. It almost looks like blades of grass caused the striping.
HH - Rhoderman
 
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