Metal Detecting: How to Clean and Preserve Your Finds for Years to Come!
Metal detecting is an exciting hobby that can lead you to all sorts of treasures and artifacts. Whether you’re searching for valuable coins, historic relics, or simply interesting items from the past, it’s important to know how to properly clean and preserve your finds.
Cleaning Your Finds
Before you start cleaning any metal object you’ve found while metal detecting it’s essential to determine what type of metal it is. This will help you avoid using the wrong cleaning method and causing damage.
Here are some basic steps that can be used with most metals:
1. Remove any dirt or debris – Use a soft-bristled brush or cloth to gently remove any dirt or debris from the surface of the item.
2. Soak in water – Fill a container with warm water and add a small amount of mild dish soap.
3. Soak in vinegar – For tough stains on copper, bronze, brass or silver objects soak them in distilled white vinegar for several hours but not more than 24 hours; then rinse thoroughly with water and dry with lint-free cloth.
4. Dry thoroughly – Once cleaned, ensure that your find is dry before storing it away as moisture could cause rusting over time.
For iron objects like nails or other ferrous metals use these steps:
1. Remove dirt – Begin by removing excess dirt using a soft-bristled brush
2. Soak in electrolysis solution – Make up an electrolysis solution by mixing one tablespoon of washing soda per gallon of hot tap water (do this outside) then insert two pieces scrap steel into the mixture so they don’t touch each other.. Next attach your iron find (using stainless steel wire) making sure it does not touch either piece of scrap steel which have been inserted earlier into the solution
3. Rinse off – After soaking for a few hours (5-6), remove object from solution wearing rubber gloves making sure no skin comes in contact with electrolysis fluid then rinse thoroughly in running water.
4. Neutralize – Soak again (in hot tap water) with baking soda (one tablespoon per gallon of water) this time for several hours to neutralize the object and stop any further electrolysis before rinsing off and drying thoroughly.
Preserving Your Finds
Once you have cleaned your finds, it’s important to preserve them so that they don’t deteriorate over time. Here are some tips on how to do this:
1. Store your finds properly – Avoid storing metal objects in damp or humid places as moisture can cause rusting or corrosion over time. Instead, keep them in a dry place like a display case or plastic bag with anti-tarnish strips.
2. Apply a protective coating – Use a clear acrylic spray to apply a protective coating on metals such as copper, brass or bronze after cleaning them; however avoid using it on silver items as it will change their color.
3. Handle with care – When handling your finds ensure that you use gloves if possible especially when touching silver items because oils from skin can cause discoloration over time.
4. Don’t clean excessively – Over-cleaning an item may damage its patina which could decrease its value thus only clean enough dirt off so it can be handled safely without losing any of its historic character
5. Consult professionals for preservation advice- If you come across something rare, valuable or delicate seek professional advice before attempting any preservation work yourself
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Conclusion
Cleaning and preserving metal detector finds is essential not just for their longevity but also for maintaining their historical value and beauty intact . Cleaning methods vary depending on the type of metal detected while preserving involves proper storage , handling , occasional protection coatings application amongst other things.. Always remember when dealing with rare artifacts always consult experts prior to undertaking any restoration work yourself . With these simple yet effective steps you shall be able cherish your findings for years to come!