is there any way to get "gum" out of my coins without damaging it condition???

Flameboy

I have found rarerities looking in old rolls, But guess what???... THE COINS HAVE GUM!!!!.... I looks terrible, does anyone knows a way to geti it out eithout damaging the coin?

littlewicher

Wow, that sucks. I wonder how gum got in there. I think that NCS could possibly help it, if they're rare coins.

Draco

Gum, gum? Errr. . .if you mean some type of adhesive, try soaking it in alcohol for a few days and rubbing it off with your fingers. If you can find it (the EPA banned it about five years ago) 1,1,1 trichloroethane 71-55-6 will remove nearly any adhesive, epoxy, grease, ink and many other things from it without damaging the coin (it's also a great stain remover for clothing). If you do find it, be very careful as it is nasty stuff that your body will readily absorb causing damage to the liver and kidneys (just to name a few). It evaporates very quickly and it's specific gravity is more than 1 so don't be using it in the house. Don't get it near any type of plastic since it will attack most types and has an acid-like effect. Where can you find it? Many electrical grade cleaners (such as those made by CRC and found in most auto parts stores) used this chemical because it leaves no residue, fast evaporating and is non-conducting. I believe that CRC still sells a version of this cleaner with a slightly different molecular makeup than the original (but it's also less effective).

Disclaimer: I am in no way suggesting that this chemical will work for your specific problem. I make no guarantee that it will not damage your coin or you in the process of cleaning it. The bottom line here is you use it at your own risk I merely pass this information to you.

I have used it three times in the past to remove unidentified crap from a seated half, buffalo nickel and a Franklin. Had they been dissolved by the cleaner, it would have been no great loss.

indianabyron

Ok do you mean real gum like chewing gum or just that nasty time gunk gum stuff that gets on coins?? If you mean chewing gum believe it or not try peanutbutter the oil in it breaks down the gum very quickly. If you mean the time gunk gum try acetone but be very careful with it. It is very flamable and will give you a major buzz as well as brain damage( the smell)


Byron

LucyBop

<< <i>trichloroethane >>



Or commonly refered to as TCA was used in Oxidation furnaces, it is a solvent that was used to attrack positively charged contaminates and getter them and exhaust them out (via our atmo exhaust system) thereby allowing one to grow a high quality oxide. The EPA then after many years of study determined that the by-products of this chemical being used in the Semiconductor world was depleting the Ozone layer. Most if not all companys swith to DCE. Surprisely, I found TCA openly for sale at the last Long Beach show....

clackamas

I would try acetone, you will probably get better results than alcohol.

OnlyBuffalos

Freeze the coins. The gum will harden and can be carefully removed. If the gum has been on the coins for some time, the gum has likely "stained" the coins.

There also is a machine that is used to remove gum. It uses mostly steam at around 300 degrees. Don't know what impact that would have on coins.

hughesm1

Definitely acetone...unless it's on copper.

MacCoin

chew it off

dakra

OnlyBuffalos,
I was going to suggest the same thing. Freeze the coins and then peel off the gum but do not use a sharp instrument to take it off. If there is any remaining residue from the gum, soak the coins in acetone for a short period of time.

Has anyone ever tried "Goop Off" or is it "Goof Off"

-Dave

OnlyBuffalos

There is a product called "Gum Off". It contains ingredients that I would hesitate to use on coins.

Barry

I've heard peanut butter works on gum in hair :.)
Seriously, I vote for acetone (from the paint department at a hardware store, NOT nail polish remover).