De-Dusting China Clay (1 Viewer)

ChipManiac

Waiting List
Joined
Apr 9, 2020
Messages
9
Reaction score
6
Location
Massachusetts
Hi all,

Anyone who has bought new china clay before knows that when you they come they have this dusty powder all over them, I was just wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to speed up cleaning them off, or is the only solution to really just give them some good use (something I will be doing). Thanks for the help.
 
I would assume the fastest way is with an ultrasonic cleaner (lots of posts about that here). However that might be overkill especially if you don't already own one and don't anticipate cleaning dirty chips anytime soon.

Next fastest? Bucket of soapy water, gentle brush?
 
Last edited:
Dump’em in a bowl of water and mix them around. Dry them and there’s very little dust left. If you want, you can use a toothbrush and get the last spots that have dust on them off, but there’s no need to.
 
With my first CCs, I took the long way out and compression cleaned each chip one at a time. Totally not necessary. Water, or water/soap should be fine
 
Dump’em in a bowl of water and mix them around. Dry them and there’s very little dust left. If you want, you can use a toothbrush and get the last spots that have dust on them off, but there’s no need to.
If I do this do I have to be worried about the inlay coming off?
 
Mass-shower them under the tap in a salad spinner (lukewarm water, not hot). Should be more than enough for factory dust on brand-new chips.
Let them dry on towel-covered table.
Ultrasonic is meant for the filth and gunk left by thousands of sticky hands in years of casino use (and not all chip types can stand it).
 
Definitely dont put them in the ultra sonic...
I also would take caution submerging them in soap/water - this may cause the inlays to lift from the chips. Best recommendation is to wipe them down with a damp lightly soaped cloth.... or shuffling them, use and hand oil will remove the dust the same. Do not oil them
 
Definitely dont put them in the ultra sonic...
I also would take caution submerging them in soap/water - this may cause the inlays to lift from the chips. Best recommendation is to wipe them down with a damp lightly soaped cloth.... or shuffling them, use and hand oil will remove the dust the same. Do not oil them
Agreed, quickest way is just put them in water, but with no soap, or to be more thorough, use a damp cloth.
 
Still take caution, I've seen the inlays come off from less, definitely dont soak them for any length of time
 
I took a damp cloth to some sample CCs I just got and there is still a degree of haziness. Will try it again with a little soap, since it really seems caked on some of them. Thanks y'all.
 
Ultrasonic is meant for the filth and gunk left by thousands of sticky hands

Yeah, it's overkill. But as a test, I ran some through my US for 10-15 seconds and it took the dust right off of them. If you have 1000+ chips, could be a good option.
 
/sigh/

China clays don't have inlays -- which are actually pressed into a chip during production using high tempature and high pressure, deforming the chip and becoming a permanent part of the chip itself.

China clays -- like most injection-molded plastic chips -- have adhesive-backed plastic-laminated vinyl labels (aka stickers) which are applied to the chip surface after it has been created.

If applied properly, there is almost zero chance of the adhesive sticker being negatively affected by plain water, either by submersion or on the label surface. Even plain water which seeps under a misaligned label will not cause damage, since water is an inert material and cannot damage the solvent-based adhesive or vinyl and plastic label. Once the moisture dries, the adhesive will still be capable of sticking to a clean and dry chip surface.

Use plain water or a water-dampened cloth to clean china clays. Do not use solvent-based cleaners, and use care when applying cleaning solutions that contain detergents or degreasers. Although the latter is perfectly safe for cleaning china clays with properly applied labels, any chips that have ill-fitting labels may suffer adhesion issues if the solution gets underneath the label and interacts with the adhesive.
 
Sorry for reviving this thread, but I just got my first shipment of Majestics, bottle of mineral oil included, and I was wondering why this is?
Did you order them from a vendor/online store or PCF member?
China clay is majority plastic and not clay at all, therefore oiling them is redundant. It wont absorb into the plastic, just lay on the surface and become slimy
 
Did you order them from a vendor/online store or PCF member?
China clay is majority plastic and not clay at all, therefore oiling them is redundant. It wont absorb into the plastic, just lay on the surface and become slimy

A vendor, why? :)

Ok, good to know, I'll just go over them with wet wipes over the weekend.
 
That's quite odd. Dont know that I've ever experienced that. Perhaps reach out to the vendor as to why the included the oil?

It was an extra he put in the box, so I'm assuming it's just a friendly gift for a first time customer :)

Thanks for the advice!
 
Older china clay chips contain a higher percentage of silicates and non-plastic additives, and are thus both more dull in color and absorbent by nature -- oiling can provide both cosmetic and protective advantages.

Newer china clays have a much more plastic composition, trading off a chalky clay-like feel for brighter colors and a more stable and damage-resistent chip material. They gain very little from oiling.
 
Older china clay chips contain a higher percentage of silicates and non-plastic additives, and are thus both more dull in color and absorbent by nature -- oiling can provide both cosmetic and protective advantages.

Newer china clays have a much more plastic composition, trading off a chalky clay-like feel for brighter colors and a more stable and damage-resistent chip material. They gain very little from oiling.
Thanks Dave, was actually going to tag you for clarification. Where do majestics fall?
 
The china clays with brighter colors -- first appearing with the CPS chips -- are all what I'd consider 'new wave' CC chips, which includes the new Dunes, Majestic, Royal, and The Bank chip lines.
 
This is all very useful info, and for now I'll just go over the chips with a wet cloth to clean em a bit.

I might try the oil on the sample sets I have, just to see what gives :p
 
In my recent experience, the oiling makes a huge difference and the chips look way better for it. I did clean them with water and the smallest amount of soap before doing that as well. These together get rid of that hazy white coloring and really make them pop. Just don't go overboard with the oiling.
 
@MathijsVS - some China Clays like Majestics and Royals will benefit greatly from the oiling. However, heed the warning here posted by many (myself included). THIS IS THE WRONG WAY:


I used waaaaaaaaaaay too much oil the first time. I use about 2-3 drops per barrel now, and it's plenty.
 
@MathijsVS - some China Clays like Majestics and Royals will benefit greatly from the oiling. However, heed the warning here posted by many (myself included). THIS IS THE WRONG WAY:


I used waaaaaaaaaaay too much oil the first time. I use about 2-3 drops per barrel now, and it's plenty.

I tested it and I'm now using about 1 drop on a wash cloth for a barrel and a half. The only one that's the tiniest bit too slick was the very first one, because I'm an idiot who forgot to spread the drop out :rolleyes:

I agree that the Majestics benefit from a tiny bit of oil: the difference between cleaned and cleaned+oiled is clearly visible.
 
Where do the 8V's come in on oiling after applying label's ?
 

Create an account or login to comment

You must be a member in order to leave a comment

Create account

Create an account and join our community. It's easy!

Log in

Already have an account? Log in here.

Back
Top Bottom