James ND brass brush experiment

[Andrus(ut)]

I could never clean up my nickels worth a darn. I used James ND, brass brush technique on a pocket spill found earlier this year. I like the results, it makes them at least presentable which is all I care about. I don't think I would use this technique on semi or key date coins.

[attachment 97779 BrassBrush2.jpg]

This is how the "V" started - pictured here is the reverse which was not Brass Brushed.

[attachment 97780 BrassBrushback.jpg]

 

[Andrus(ut)]

n/t

 

[James N.D.]

If you do a thorough job the first time and wipe off as much of the redness from the Nickel, then give it another brushing except add a little Dish Soap to the Coin while wet and wet the Brass Brush as well. Then scrub thoroughly again and the Nickel may come out looking a bit more Silver Color than Golden. Also, you could try a little Brasso Polish if you really want to make them look good or some other kind of Polish like Chrome Mag Polish. If you try that, make sure to thoroughly scrub the Coin with the Polish since the more you do it, the better it will turn out. And you are right about Semi-Key and Key Dates, I wouldn't try this on them either. Glad you liked the results and Good Luck and HH to you.

 

[Andrus(ut)]

n/t

 

[Jaichim24]

Here's a pic of a quick little front yard hunt I did Friday night after work. The buffalo I brushed with a plastic bristle brush. It was a dark black in color prior. Seems as though I brushed off one layer, and got to the "red" layer you guys are mentioning. The Jefferson was almost as dark, but I used the brass brush. I'm a bit nervous to use the brass one on the buffalo because I can see a decent amount of detail on it now. I'm wondering how much of the detail will come off with the red layer. Also, it looks as though the buffalo on the reverse has some sort of misstrike/error on it, perhaps a lamination flaw. Btw I've been using the brass brush on some wheaties and it's been working great. It doesn't look like it damages the surface.

 

[Erik in NJ]

Put a couple ounces of ketchup (yup - ketchup) in a plastic bag and immerse the nickel in it. After a few days the ketchup will turn brown - once it changes color throw out the old ketchup and put in back in some new ketchup. The acidity is mild, but works wonders on nickels and will clean them nicely in a few days to about a week - without causing the abbrasions that a brass brush will create (not to mention that annoying shiney burnished affect.) Give it a try!

 

[Jaichim24]

Well it's sitting in a glob of ketchup right now, I'll check back in with you all in a week to show off the "after" results. Crossing my fingers!

Jai

 

[Erik in NJ]

Hi, If you're worried about losing any of the detail that has turned to red oxidation - check the coin every day or two so to see if it is clean enough for you - otherwise it will gently and slowly clean the coin to the silver metal, but you may notice some pitting on the coin caused by the oxidation and harsh ground conditions. The ketchup will not pit or wear away any metal on the coin, just the oxidation layers relatively slowly. Regards, Erik

 

[Jaichim24]

Ok, here are the results of the ketchup. I still used a plastic brush to get the red stuff off, and the obverse has some striations from it. However, I think the ketchup would have removed the red without a brush. It came out pretty well. The only "beef"one might have is, that the surface is still rough, and what I would call "soft" meaning if I took my finger nail I think I could scratch the surface. It doesn't feel like metal. I'm sure if I used a brass brush I would get down the the pure, un-corroded nickel, however I'm sure I would lose a lot of the detail I currently have. So for now I'm leaving it like this. Thanks all for the suggestions.

Jai

[attachment 98765 071108HuntPics4A.jpg]So you can see what I think is a lamination flaw in the lower left hand corner on the reverse. There are also a bunch of other specs on it. Anyone agree? Would it increase the value? (that is if a dug nickel can have value.