Collecting

Collecting vinyl records is a hot hobby, with thousands of websites and stores catering to those who prefer the scratchy sounds of an LP to a CD. Because it is a potentially expensive hobby, care...

Medical antiques are a popular collectible. Sometimes, a collector will find that a surgical instrument set has been coated in grease in the past to protect it from corrosion, and he or she wishes...

Porcelain dolls are treasured family heirlooms that, with proper care, can be enjoyed by generations of children. You may have a collection of dolls that you wish to pass down to your own...

The mainspring on your Seth Thomas clock should need only seldom cleaning and lubricating. If your clock's mainspring is inside a barrel, do not attempt to clean it yourself; ask a professional to...

First released in 1986, the American Silver Eagle was part of a program authorized by Congress to produce coins with a weight and purity guaranteed by the US government. These coins are purely for...

Clean old vinyl records with care to prolong their usefulness and protect their quality. Take your time to work any dirty buildup or spills with a soft brush so you don't cause any damage. Enjoy...

The challenge in learning how to clean vintage tools is that you cannot use any old abrasive to scrub away rust and dust that accumulates over time. You must use special techniques that not only...

Whether you collect coins or you just like having bright, shiny change, cleaning coins can be approached in a variety of ways depending on the coin itself and the type of dirt and grime that have...

Coin collecting is an enjoyable hobby for many. Those who collect coins can appreciate the differences in some of the money which has been produced in the country, as well as how it has changed...

While cleaning coins improves their shine it can adversely impact their value. Coins that have been whizzed---that is cleaned and conditioned---to simulate the original luster are degraded by...

Dirty coins should never be cleaned because doing so will often significantly lower the value of the coin. Find out how to clean coins that don't have much value with soap, water and a Q-tip with...

The process of cleaning a gold coin will typically reduce the value of the coin substantially, so it's important to visit a professional before deciding to clean a coin. Find out why coins should...

It’s important to know the proper way to clean up silver coins. You can damage a silver coin if the improper clean up technique is used on it. There are several clean up methods to use on silver...

Coin enthusiasts are faced with the dilemma of how to safely clean their coins when needed. If they are left dirty, the value is decreased. Yet, if they are cleaned incorrectly, they lose all...

Coins can become quite dirty with grime, tarnish and even corrosion. Before you decide to clean your coins, especially antique coins, it is best to find out their value. Then decide if cleaning...

Precious Moment figurines are highly collectible porcelain dolls that were first created in the 1970s by Sam Butcher. These large-eyed figurines generally depict children and reflect Christian...

Coins can generally be cleaned in a variety of ways. They can be cleaned with a soft toothbrush dipped in a mild soap and water. They can also be soaked in a cup of white vinegar with a tablespoon...

If you have antique tools, chances are you're not looking to use them as much as to preserve them. That means you have to take special care when cleaning them to ensure that they don't get...

Collecting coins is a pastime that can be enjoyed by anyone. Occasionally there will be one in the collection that turns out be rare or worth a surprising amount. Perhaps only in the world of coin...

It’s very exciting as a coin collector to come across an old coin. Since most found coins were in circulation years ago, they can be very dirty. Coins that have been found when metal detecting can...

You may have come across old bottles in your attic or you might have bought an old bottle or two at an antique store. Before you show off or attempt to sell the bottles, you may rid the insides of...

Old paper money is often covered by layers of dirt and grime, having been passed between individuals many times over the years. If you want to clean bills before putting them back in your wallet,...

Meerschaum tobacco pipes are exquisitely carved examples of the pipe maker's art and are highly valuable and collectible. When new, a meerschaum will be creamy white or bone colored. As the pipe...

The goal of most antique collectors is to find an item in the best, most original condition and keep it that way. However, it isn't always that easy, especially when it comes to old wood fireplace...

Lunchboxes and old collectors items are often made of painted tin. Cleaning these tin lithographs--or litho, as they are sometimes known--is relatively simple and easy. Unfortunately, there is no...

Old coins can become oxidized and grimy with age. This can make it hard to see the markings on the coins. Even newer coins can quickly become dirty and grimy, especially if they have been found in...

The decision to clean coins should not be taken lightly. If you do not know the value of the coin, it is best to store it in a safe place and avoid getting fingerprints on it until it can be...

Old milk bottles can be used as decorative pieces or sold at auction. Depending on where the old milk bottles have been stored throughout the years, however, they could be filled with quite a bit...

Cleaning coins is considered by most collectors to be a huge no-no. If you collect high-end coins, cleaning them could cause irreparable damage that could severely lower the coin's worth. A good...

Before cleaning a piece of antique furniture, determine if the wood is sealed and use a little water. Clean antique furniture and avoid harming the wood with tips from a certified estate...

I have always wanted to know how to clean silver coins. They look terrible when they have black or brown oxidation coating them. Air causes this build up. To prevent your coins from getting an...

To clean a gun without a cleaning kit is rather easy. One must be relatively knowledgeable with firearms to know what parts are the most essential to clean and what parts are simply cosmetic. When...

In order to keep your gun in tiptop shape and ensure it shoots perfectly for years to come you will need to clean it properly and regularly. Gun powder, grease, and other types of grime can end up...

Old 78 records and LPs are collectible items. The value of such items, though, works on a sliding scale, based on the current condition. Albums that are clean and well-maintained are more...

If you have a pinball machine with a dirty playfield, you need to clean it to protect your playfield surface. A pinball traveling across a dirty pinball playfield can damage the surface. A...

If you use a metal detector regularly. You probably already know that there aren't many places you can take one in to get it repaired. This article will describe some maintenance tips to prolong...

Coin collecting is a great hobby, but you sometimes need to clean your coins due to their advanced age or improper storage. Some coins are fairly easy to clean; others prove more challenging....

Depending on the rarity of a silver dollar, cleaning it may decrease its worth. Older coins that have oxidized or collected a little dirt over the years are generally more valuable. However, if...

Cleaning silver can be a slow and careful process. Some types of silver are very fragile, and you feel the need to take your time with your valuable collection. Nevertheless, you don't want your...

To keep your gun in optimal working condition, you should take it to a professional gunsmith for cleaning periodically. This is especially important if the gun has been dropped in salt water or...

Coin cleaning can negatively affect the value of old coins, which is the last thing you want to do if you have a coin that is potentially very valuable. As the economy worsens, more people are...

Antique mirrors are beautiful and have a character all their own, but can pose some cleaning challenges. You may need to consider which cleaning agents pose the least risk to your antique mirror...

Whether you collect them for decoration or simply to own your own pieces of history, collecting vintage traffic and road signs can be a rewarding and challenging hobby. Below you'll find some tips...

A lot of the antique dug bottles that are found come along with lots of nasty dirt and other things like stains and alumina deposits. they each take a different way to clean so that you can have a...

Learn how to clean oil lamps from the mid-nineteenth century in this free diy collectors video from our antiques dealer collection expert.

Learn How to clean your books for your book collection in this free book collectors series from our obsessive bibliophile and book nerd.

An antique bird cage is a work of art and a true collector's treasure. Antique bird cages come in a variety of styles and some types are very rare. Most are made of brass, iron, or wood. Since...

Whether you have inherited your great-grandmother's engagement ring or you are an avid collector of antique jewelry, chances are you want to preserve the beauty and integrity of your pieces for...

There's something timeless and special about vintage rhinestones. Many have been passed down from older generations who lovingly cared for these irreplaceable pieces of personal history. You can...

If you have a collection of coins that are old and potentially rare, you're better off not cleaning them until you can establish their value. But, if you simply want to clean a jar of odd pennies...