Fast, neat way to oil T-mold chips -- foam polish applicator (photos)

[JoseRijo]

Bumping this thread, because of its awesomeness.

I recently oiled about 700 chips using this method, and I think it took me less than an hour and a half. It really works!

My only suggestion is to get your hands wet! First I grabbed a stack of 20 and rolled the applicator around the sides. Then I picked up each chip and pressed both sides into the applicator. This was much faster than trying to stamp them.

Thanks wijwij for remarkable idea!

[Turner Profit]

Awesome idea! May hafta try this on some of my samples.

[Midnight Rose]

First, thanks very much, Will, for posting this. I've had it on hold ever since I stumbled across this thread, in anticipation of getting hotstamped chips to oil.

A few questions, if you're still around. I'll warn you, I tend to overthink processes.

First, I'm getting nothing but bubbles; it's probably just the way I'm pressing down, but I'm not sure that I'm doing this right. I don't see the dramatic difference in the before and after, but that may be because of the gold hotstamp; it's pretty dominant on the chip.

Second, is it necessary to let them dry for 24 hours, or is that just overkill? I've tested it out last night (about 1am) on my ASM Hourglass rainbow chips, and they feel good; a bit slicker than before, but not at all oily. If they're dry enough, I'll get started on the other 700 chips.

Last, do you "wring" the excess oil out of the sponge before pressing it on the chips, or do you just let the sponge soak the oil in and go for it? I've been doing the former, and see some sparkly stuff at the bottom of the bowl now; I assume that's part of the excess gold coming off. It doesn't seem to be causing problems, though.

[JoseRijo]

May I offer my suggestions?

Originally Posted by Midnight Rose

First, I'm getting nothing but bubbles; it's probably just the way I'm pressing down, but I'm not sure that I'm doing this right.

As I said in an earlier reply, I think it's easier just to hold the chip in your hand, rather than stamping it. Plus you can move it around to make sure the oil gets in all of the nooks and crannies.

Originally Posted by Midnight Rose

Second, is it necessary to let them dry for 24 hours, or is that just overkill?

Actually, I think 24 hours is the minimum. But you should be able to tell when they are dry enough.

Originally Posted by Midnight Rose

Last, do you "wring" the excess oil out of the sponge before pressing it on the chips, or do you just let the sponge soak the oil in and go for it?

Soak it! You can always wipe off the excess oil from the chips when you are finished.

[Midnight Rose]

Thanks for the reply, Jose. I haven't started the main group yet, just the first 50 or so, so I'll give your version a try today.

[Halfhoff]

My Paulson Pharoahs and Samurai Palace chips thank you. And for any of you who have Sumarai Palace chips, OIL THEM! They just POP afterwards!

What I did was lay the chips out on a towel. Dab my polisher into the oil and press down and spin on the chips. The Pharoahs insert is pretty durable and the Samurais don't really have an insert per se. I spun the applicator and then flipped the chips over and did the other side. I then used a cloth and wiped off the oil making sure the edges were oiled. I then rolled up the towel so each row of chips was in the towel not touching any other row. I left the towel overnight. The next day I just quickly dried them again (but they were pretty much dried anyway) and threw them in the case.

I did 500 chips in about 2 and a bit hours.

[jsmithjr732]

I'll agree with that. Oiling any t-mold chip is like night and day.

I've still got my Pharaoh's un-oiled, but maybe I'll just sit down and do it via this method.

[Midnight Rose]

I forgot to reply back here. Not only has this thread been a godsend - my Timeless set is simply stunning now that it's fully oiled - but I'm now addicted to oiling chips. Any Michiganders want to take advantage of my addiction? I'd be more than happy to lovingly fondle your chips for you, gratis.

[ltwt74]

I used this method on my Samurai Palace chips, and they look great. I had the bubbles after using the aplicator but it didn't cause any problems.

[erdiesel]

i finally decided to pull the trigger and oil my samurais and t-mold solids using this method. Finally finished oiling 900+ samurais and 650 t-mold solids last night (did it in batches over 4 nights). It was painful but well worth it.

Instead of pressing down and "rocking", i would actually rotate the applicator to ensure the nooks and crannies got properly coated.

needless to say, the chips look even more beautiful after being oiled. can't wait to whip them out during the next home game in a few weeks.