Sealing Clay or Ceramic Chips (1 Viewer)

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Ironrey

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I read that you guys use oils to make the chips nicer... But have any of you tried penetrating stone / grout / cement sealer? These would be absorbed into the clay and prevent dirt and other things from getting into the pores which would help in not having to use all the cleaning methods I've read about (OxyClean, Magic Eraser, and a sonic washer that scratch the surface with micro bubbles) and simply use soap.

What do you guys think? Anyone want to experiment?
 
Ironrey said:
I read that you guys use oils to make the chips nicer... But have any of you tried penetrating stone / grout / cement sealer? These would be absorbed into the clay and prevent dirt and other things from getting into the pores which would help in not having to use all the cleaning methods I've read about (OxyClean, Magic Eraser, and a sonic washer that scratch the surface with micro bubbles) and simply use soap.

What do you guys think? Anyone want to experiment?
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as for ceramic chips "NO". If you try to oil ceramic chips they will become unbearably slippery. I've owned enough ceramic chips in my time that they don't need any type of sealant or anything. If your using them for what their designed for, a ceramic chip will last you a life time as is.
 
I'd be happy for someone else to experiment on their own chips and post pictures + a narrative about the results. I have a host of concerns but basically I see this as a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. Once I get my chips cleaned up they aren't at much risk in my home game so I do not see a benefit to sealing them even if it works flawlessly.

DrStrange
 
I thought I read some thread where someone was washing his chips after every few games. Personally, I agree, once casino gunk from 100,000 degenerates fondling them is off, no need to re-clean, but to each his own paranoia.
 
BiGGyT said:
I thought I read some thread where someone was washing his chips after every few games. Personally, I agree, once casino gunk from 100,000 degenerates fondling them is off, no need to re-clean, but to each his own paranoia.
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I seem to recall similar stories... I really think that is few and far between... and likely an OCD issue. :eek:
 
the correct term for the sludge on used casino chips (especially from Vegas), is hooker juice :)

I don't anticipate my chips to be dirty enough ever again in my lifetime....plus no way I am going to spend weeks cleaning and oiling them again :cool:
 
There are a few folks here with sets that see enough use over the course of time to warrant cleaning -- and have posted pics of chips that were pretty dirty just from repeated home use. I know courage certainly has, and there are others too.....

I have only cleaned the occasion odd chip or two that started to show gunk build up.
 
I clean cards after every game (damp cloth), but other than an initial cleaning for dirty casino chips, or dust removal from new China clays or CPCs, chips just haven't needed it yet.
 
Oh, in that case why would anyone consider getting a sonic machine? Seems like something that I'd you needed done you could just go to a jewelry store or somewhere and pay them to use it instead of buying.
 
The ultrasonic cleaners you've seen are typically used to clean casino-used (aka: uber grimey) chips in quantity.
 
Ironrey said:
Oh, in that case why would anyone consider getting a sonic machine? Seems like something that I'd you needed done you could just go to a jewelry store or somewhere and pay them to use it instead of buying.
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All ultrasonic's are not made alike. The ones in the jewelry store don't have the same power that the ones we use do. Probably slightly different chemicals as well. Plus the jewelry store won't allow me to clean 5k-10k chips in their machines.
 
Not to mention that the amount of grime released from just a handful of used casino chips is probably equal to what they'd get off of literally thousands of jewelry pieces. :)
 
True, I guess what I'm trying to say is... Since it doesn't happen very often that you get used casino chips... That I would prefer to fine a friendly chip fanatic in my area that would help me clean them and I would pay them for their troubles and the use of their machine instead of buying my own machine that you use once and maybe never again.
 
I'd be concerned about using any sealant. How long will it take to discolor or lose transparency? How would it affect feel?
 
Ironrey said:
True, I guess what I'm trying to say is... Since it doesn't happen very often that you get used casino chips... That I would prefer to find a friendly chip fanatic in my area that would help me clean them and I would pay them for their troubles and the use of their machine instead of buying my own machine that you use once and maybe never again.
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That assumes a few things...
  • You have a chip fanatic in your area willing to help clean them/use their equipment
  • That you have quantities that can be done in a session or two - OR - that your fellow chipper doesn't care how much you use the machine
  • That you won't be acquiring more chips down the road that need cleaning
Now if you're only talking 500-1000 chips ever, I can see going without or seeking to borrow a friend's equipment. For someone like myself who's cleaned quantities of chips approaching five figures this year, and the closest chipper to me that might have the equipment is an hour away, it's worth a $200 investment to save all the gas, hours driving, and hours scrubbing to just have it on hand.

And who knows how many chips I might have to clean in the future...

I'm not aware of a chipper who has invested into one and regrets it.
 
Yeah, I can't justify the investment today, given that I've sold almost all of my used chips and rarely buy anything that isn't mint these days. But I sure wish I had purchased one 'back in the day' when buying large quantities of used casino chips that required cleaning (PCA, Empress, etc.). No-brainer back then, and apparently I didn't have one at the time. :unsure:
 
courage said:
I'd be concerned about using any sealant. How long will it take to discolor or lose transparency? How would it affect feel?
Click to expand...
Yeah, I just got my first nice set... From DetroitDad and they are fine... I just figured I would throw it out there as an idea :)
It would take someone with courage to try it and report back to use if it worked... A chip dealer with this kind of data would be a good resource/lab to try it :p
 
I would think the sealant after cleaning, as alternate to oiling. I'd love to see the experiment/pics/pr0n, but as many have said it's probably overkill.
Tangential to this, as a type of "sealant" I saw this:

http://www.wipenew.com/recolor/

Although the instructions to this sound like possible huge chemical overkill, it shoulds like making colors pop for chips might be right up the same alley. Would sure love to see a bottle of this stuff and do some experiments, see how it affects the feel and handling. Maybe if someone in LA areas is getting ReColor for other things, and would like to sell off unused portion, I'd give it a try
 

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