Advice on issues with chip cleaning (1 Viewer)

[Talrem]

Greetings, Programs!
I’ve recently acquired some chips and have been doing some cleaning with differing results. Now before you direct me to other forum posts, let me tell you that I’ve already tried some of the methods previously mentioned by other members (I’ve done some research before posting) and have some successes.
So out of all the cleaning tests I’ve done, the one that seems easiest (and more successful) for me on “live” chips harvested from various casinos is using a very small amount of rubbing alcohol and a toothbrush.


A small amount of chip color comes off if using too much alcohol or scrubbing too long, but the chips are spotless!

I recently purchased some LGK Dragonara hot stamp chips and these were much, much dirtier than any chip I’ve ever seen before. I tried my proven cleaning method on a single sample chip with barely a dent in the grime, so I tried the Dawn warm-water soak & scrub with minimal results again. I tried hot water for a longer soak and was still unable to get the dirt out.
Then I switched to an electric toothbrush. I tried alcohol, soap, even toothpaste because of its micro-abrasive properties!
Still barely a dent in that dirt wall!
Then, with a drop of soap, a drop of alcohol, and pressure-pulsing (alternating soft then hard presses in single spots for a few seconds) and help with a dish sponge, I was able to get 90%-95% of the dirt off the chip, but then I ran into a problem - the hot stamp rubbed off!

[Flash made green color lighter after cleaning]

I’m sure that rubbing the casino hotstamp off reduces the chip’s value so I wouldn’t want that, but if I customize them it won’t matter anyway.
I don’t want to invest in an ultrasonic cleaner if I don’t have to, but I’m looking to get better cleaning results than 5-10 minutes per chip.

Is there another hand-cleaning agent/method that will yield better results without damaging the chip? I’ve tried a “degreaser” on a different type of chip without texture and had some success, but will it work on a chip with texture? Is there a brand name goop that will dissolve that grime fast and will scrub out the rest with ease…and won’t harm the chip?

I saw that Sterlings Magic works wonders…?

 

[Rieguy]

Do not use rubbing alcohol for chip cleaning.

I simply use a magic eraser with hot water/dawn, before a quick rinse in hot water and a dry. If you are using hot-stamped chips, do not scrub over the hot-stamp; you have to be very careful.

 

[Talrem]

Do not use rubbing alcohol for chip cleaning.

I simply use a magic eraser with hot water/dawn, before a quick rinse in hot water and a dry. If you are using hot-stamped chips, do not scrub over the hot-stamp; you have to be very careful.

I’ve got to get that crud out of the center though. How do I clean the textured center if I can’t scrub?

 

[Josh Kifer]

I’ve got to get that crud out of the center though. How do I clean the textured center if I can’t scrub?

Magic erasers are abrasive, so just use your kid gloves. Dawn and water will get most of it off. Or a little simple green. Don't use alcohol.

 

[Talrem]

Do not use rubbing alcohol for chip cleaning.

Don't use alcohol.

What does alcohol do to the chips?

 

[BGinGA]

Removes moisture, drying them out. Can also discolor some chip materials, and destroy hot-stamps foil.

 

[mnebesny]

So out of all the cleaning tests I’ve done, the one that seems easiest (and more successful) for me on “live” chips harvested from various casinos is using a very small amount of rubbing alcohol and a toothbrush.

Unrelated, but did you harvest those Tropicana roulette chips? Just so you know, harvesting roulette chips can potentially get you banned, as they're a variable denomination.

 

[Talrem]

Unrelated, but did you harvest those Tropicana roulette chips? Just so you know, harvesting roulette chips can potentially get you banned, as they're a variable denomination.

Nope. A buddy had the two in his regular chip stack and didn’t realize it, then he just gave them to me knowing I was into poker and chips.
Should I return them?

 

[mnebesny]

Nope. A buddy had the two in his regular chip stack and didn’t realize it, then he just gave them to me knowing I was into poker and chips.
Should I return them?

Honestly no idea. I don't go to the casino very often...my thoughts would be that if you've gotten away with it it's yours and that it's better to stay quiet as returning it would raise unwanted questions, but I'm no expert. That's also assuming you don't intend to try and cash it in or sell it.

 

[chipinla]

I did some of those Dragonaras in an ultrasonic today with pretty good results. I’m not super worried about the hotstamps on these though

 

[Talrem]

I did some of those Dragonaras in an ultrasonic today with pretty good results. I’m not super worried about the hotstamps on these though View attachment 735986
View attachment 735987

I tried cleaning the chips I got from you and it’s very difficult! First I used a drop of alcohol with a toothbrush but that only scratched the surface. I stopped using alcohol after the warnings about chip damage. Then I used an electric toothbrush after a warm water/dawn soak with a slight improvement - there‘s still grime caked into the key grooves and in textured center. It took roughly 5-6 minutes with the electric toothbrush to get the center grime out!

Then I switched to a black scrub brush (like a green dish scrubber but industrially firm…bought from Lowes) and with a couple of scrubs most of the crap came out with some key mold traces. I think it’s too abrasive and don’t want to damage the chips if I scrub too hard.

My Sterling’s Magic came in and I used that with no success aside from using the black scrub brush. I’m going to try a hot Sterling soak and see how that goes.

I was going to split the 700 chips you cleaned with someone but allforcharity snagged them instead.
Any suggestions for cleaning them without damaging them or tearing a ligament in my arm from scrubbing forever?!?