How to Protect Your Discoveries for Years to Come
There is a certain moment every detectorist knows well.
The soil parts. A shape emerges. Maybe it is a hammered silver coin that has slept beneath pasture for 700 years. Maybe it is a Georgian buckle, a Victorian milled coin, or a tiny fragment of history that somehow survived centuries beneath mud, salt, and pressure.
And then comes the temptation.
To rub it. To scrape away the dirt with your glove. To see instantly what you have found.
But experienced detectorists know that this moment — the first few seconds after recovery — can determine whether a find remains historically valuable or becomes permanently damaged.
Cleaning and preserving metal detecting finds properly is one of the most overlooked parts of the hobby. A good detector can locate treasure, but the right cleaning process preserves its story.
At Crawfords Metal Detectors, we have spent years working with detectorists recovering everything from Roman bronzes and medieval hammered silver to modern jewellery and beach finds. Over time, we have assembled a collection of cleaning accessories and preservation products that genuinely work — not gimmicks, not harsh chemicals, but tools trusted by serious detectorists.
This guide covers the essentials of cleaning, preserving, and storing your finds properly, while also exploring the best cleaning accessories currently available at Crawfords Metal Detectors.
Why Proper Finds Care Matters
A metal detector can only reveal what lies beneath the ground. What happens afterwards is entirely down to the detectorist.
- Incorrect cleaning destroys detail
- Over-cleaning removes patina
- Aggressive rubbing scratches silver and gold permanently
Many historically important finds have lost detail simply because someone became overexcited in the field.
The Less You Do Initially, the Better
When you recover a find outdoors — especially coins — avoid rubbing them harshly with gloves or fingers. Soil particles themselves can act like abrasives. Even experienced detectorists occasionally forget this in the excitement of recovery.
If you absolutely must clean a find while detecting, use only clean water from a spray bottle to gently remove loose mud.
- Do not scrub
- Do not scratch
- Do not force identification immediately
Wait until you are home where the find can be cleaned safely, carefully, and under controlled conditions.
Top tip: The best detectorists know that they don't know everything. Particularly astute detectorists recognise their inability to identify all finds and to clean them to a professional level without causing damage. If in any doubt about a find, don't clean it — get professional help.
However, if you're desperate to clean, do what many do and only clean the finds you have identified and know are not particularly rare. There's something quite fun about cleaning a nice Lizzie penny, and the chances are it's not too rare!
Essential Finds Cleaning Accessories
CMD Finds Cleaning Kit
The easiest way to start properly cleaning finds is with a complete kit designed specifically for detectorists.
The CMD Finds Cleaning Kit combines several of the most useful cleaning accessories into one package, making it ideal for beginners and experienced detectorists alike.
The kit includes:
- Loxley Coin Vice
- Composite Cleaning Pencil
- Aventor Gold & Silver Cleaning Fluid
- Aventor Copper & Bronze Cleaning Fluid
- CMD Coin Brush
Together, these tools allow detectorists to safely clean a huge range of finds without resorting to dangerous household chemicals or damaging abrasive methods.
The Loxley Coin Vice — Stability Matters
One of the biggest mistakes detectorists make while cleaning coins is attempting detailed cleaning while holding the coin loosely in their hand. Movement causes slips. Slips cause scratches.
The Loxley Coin Vice securely holds coins and small artefacts while cleaning, allowing for controlled precision work under magnification.
Whether cleaning Roman bronzes, hammered silver, or Victorian copper, stability dramatically reduces the chance of accidental damage.
Composite Cleaning Pencil — Gentle Precision Cleaning
The Composite Cleaning Pencil has become one of the most popular cleaning tools among detectorists for good reason. Unlike metal picks or aggressive tools, composite pencils allow gradual cleaning without heavily scratching the surface.
They are particularly useful for:
- Hammered silver coins
- Roman bronzes
- Delicate artefacts
- Buttons
- Lead seals
The key to good finds cleaning is patience. Composite pencils reward slow, controlled work.
Aventor Cleaning Fluids — Trusted by Museums
The Aventor range has developed an excellent reputation among detectorists and conservators alike. The Aventor Gold & Silver Cleaning Fluid and Aventor Copper & Bronze Cleaning Fluid are specifically formulated for historical metal finds.
Importantly, Aventor products are natural formulations used by the Spanish Museum — something that gives many detectorists confidence when applying them to historically important artefacts.
Unlike harsh acidic cleaners, Aventor fluids are designed to clean while respecting the integrity of the object. Copper and bronze objects especially benefit from specialist cleaning products because improper treatment can trigger further corrosion.
CMD Coin Brush — Simple But Essential
A good brush sounds simple, but it is one of the most frequently used tools in any detectorist's cleaning setup. The CMD Coin Brush is ideal for:
- Removing loose soil
- Cleaning crevices
- Initial gentle cleaning
- Applying preservation products
Combined with distilled water and patience, a soft brush often achieves more than aggressive scraping ever will.
Don't Clean Finds Aggressively in the Field
This point deserves repeating. When you recover a coin or artefact outdoors: do not aggressively clean it in the field.
The temptation is understandable. Every detectorist wants to know what they have found immediately. But rubbing a coin with muddy gloves can permanently scratch the surface within seconds.
A simple spray bottle filled with clean water is usually enough to gently remove excess mud until proper cleaning can take place at home. Many experienced detectorists barely touch their finds until they return home. Patience preserves history.
Preservation Is Just As Important As Cleaning
Cleaning a find is only half the process. Preservation prevents future deterioration.
Once cleaned, many artefacts begin reacting with oxygen and moisture again almost immediately. Bronze disease, corrosion, and tarnishing can all return if finds are left untreated. This is where proper preservation becomes essential.
CMD Finds Preservation Kit
The CMD Finds Preservation Kit was assembled specifically for detectorists wanting long-term protection for their finds. The kit includes:
- Preserve It Wax
- Aventor Patina Creams
- CMD Large Finds Box
This combination provides protection, presentation, and safe storage.
Preserve It Wax — Long-Term Protection
The Preserve It Wax creates a protective barrier over cleaned finds, helping reduce oxidation and moisture exposure. It is particularly useful on:
- Bronze artefacts
- Copper coins
- Silver coins
- Iron relics
Applied correctly, preservation wax gives finds a subtle finish without creating an artificial appearance.
Aventor Patina Creams
Patina matters. For many historical finds, the surface colouring developed over centuries is part of the artefact itself. The Aventor Patina Cream range helps preserve and enhance this natural appearance while offering additional surface protection.
Good preservation should protect a find — not make it look artificially polished.
Storage Matters Too
Cleaning and preservation mean very little if finds are then stored poorly. Humidity, friction, and temperature fluctuations can all damage finds over time.
The CMD Large Finds Box provides organised storage for cleaned and preserved artefacts, helping detectorists keep collections safe and accessible.
Magnification Changes Everything
As detectorists become more experienced, magnification becomes increasingly important. Tiny details often determine whether a find is common or exceptional.
The CMD Double Lens LED Loupe is ideal for inspecting:
- Coin legends
- Hallmarks
- Artefact details
- Hammered coin clipping
- Surface condition
Built-in LED lighting makes inspection easier during evening cleaning sessions or when studying fine details.
Pairing Great Finds Care With Great Detectors
High-end detectors recover high-quality finds — and those finds deserve proper care afterwards. Some of the most capable machines currently available include:
The better the detector, the more important careful finds preservation becomes. After all, there is little point recovering beautiful hammered silver if it becomes scratched or chemically damaged afterwards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I clean metal detecting finds in the field?
No. Aggressive field cleaning is one of the most common mistakes detectorists make. Soil particles act as abrasives, meaning that rubbing a coin with muddy gloves can permanently scratch silver and gold within seconds. Use only clean water from a spray bottle to remove loose mud, then wait until you are home to clean under controlled conditions.
What is the best way to clean hammered silver coins?
Use a Loxley Coin Vice to hold the coin securely, then work slowly with a Composite Cleaning Pencil. Apply Aventor Gold & Silver Cleaning Fluid following the product instructions. Patience is essential — rushing causes irreversible damage.
What cleaning products are safe for historical metal finds?
Products specifically formulated for historical artefacts, such as the Aventor cleaning fluids, are the safest choice. Aventor uses natural formulations trusted by museums including the Spanish Museum. Avoid household chemicals such as vinegar, bleach, or commercial metal polishes — these can strip patina and cause permanent surface damage.
How do I prevent corrosion returning after cleaning?
Once a find is cleaned, apply Preserve It Wax to create a protective barrier against oxidation and moisture. Store finds in a proper finds box in a stable environment, away from humidity and temperature fluctuations.
Do I need specialist tools to clean metal detecting finds?
Yes — the right tools make a significant difference to the quality and safety of your cleaning. The CMD Finds Cleaning Kit contains everything you need to get started: a coin vice, composite pencil, specialist cleaning fluids, and a coin brush — all in one package.
Final Thoughts
Metal detecting is not simply about recovery. It is about preservation. Every coin, artefact, and relic carries history with it. The way a detectorist handles a find after recovery often determines how much of that history survives.
Good cleaning is slow. Good preservation is careful. And sometimes the best thing you can do is simply leave a find alone until you are home.
At Crawfords Metal Detectors, we believe finds care deserves just as much attention as the detector itself. Whether you are cleaning your first Roman coin or preserving a lifetime collection, the right accessories make all the difference.
Browse our full range of finds care products:
Happy hunting — and preserve history properly.