How often and how do you clean your metal detector, coil and digger tool?

Ok so I finally got out, just in my backyard and dug a old long nail lol.. but when I looked at my digger tool.. (planters buddy) it was all dirty and I didnt want to put it back in my sheath, luckily I was out back so I just took it in and rinsed it off and it seems clean, also just dipped my coil in my sons pool and it rinsed away.. however tomorrow I am going to hit some tot lots and was wondering how you can fastly clean your digger before putting it in the sheath or do you just stick it in there dirty? Thanks from a newbie..

I bought my Ace 250 four years ago and it still has the dirt on it from the first time out plus the hundreds of times since then.

I am not a clean freak.  I clean my detector when it needs it.  If I don,t get it very dirty I usually don't clean it.  I do remove the coil cover and dump it when I am in any sandy soil.  I rinse off my pin pointer simply to keep from getting my apron full of dirt.  But for my digger and shovel,  I clean them if I am not going detecting the next day. Why? I have noticed when I dig moist, wet soil that soil will start to rust the diggers.  So I rinse of the dirt and coat with oil, engine oil works great.

One exception to cleaning when needed is when I get in salt water,  Then I clean as soon as possible and take apart the detector and wipe with a cloth.

Once a year I clean all my detectors and coat metal shafts and boxes with auto polish. (Usually in the winter.)

 

I remove what dirt I can from my digger in the field,what dirt gets in the sheath will dry and can be knocked out later.I wipe digger,detector/coil,pinpointer,sheath down with damp cloth and dry as soon as I get home,each and every time.

I don't clean my detector a whole lot. I'll clean off the coil & coil cover if it's got mud on it, or if it has sand inside the cover... but outside of that, I wipe off the control box of any dust and basically treat my machine well. As far as my digger... I just wipe it off on my pants before I put it back in the sheath. I've had to wash out the sheath once though, 'cause it was pouring rain and I just couldn't get the trowel clean of the mud. Eh... oh well.

Bran <><

I at least rub the dust off and check for anything stuck in the coil cover every trip.  Major cleaning depending on the conditions of the area hunted.  Monty

  When it gets too heavy.

my ace I got in a trade didnt come with a cover and the coil looks pretty banged up but works good, is it too late to buy a cover?

It's never too late to buy a coil cover, unless the coil is dangling by it's wires!
If solid & working good, then get a cover to keep it working good down the road...

Bran <><

i clean mine after every hunt regardless of what its been through. it just makes me feel better knowing its clean and ready for the next hunt. i also inspect the coil/probe connections and the coil washers and bolts.i always carry extras with me just in case also.
Do i need help....

Minerals can build up around the edges of the coil cover and give false signals. The only place I usually clean.
Newt

Clean it?   


B

Morning  BETH: You posted -->

'Clean it? '
~~~~~~~~~~

Hmm, I see that we are going to have problems.   You must remember that besides gathering firewood, cleaning up the camp site, cooking, washing the dishes, equipment, and laundry, you are expected to rub down the mules each night besides seeing to their feed and water  -  'and' have hot coffee brewing all of the time.    ROY  has been sadly neglectful.

Don Jose de La Mancha     

Geesh, Jose,




<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/9wO_6wMRS7A" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/9wO_6wMRS7A</a>

Coil = never
 Digger = after every target
Paints  = after every hunt
 sox = Every day
 Truck = every 6 months weither it needs it or not.

I Beach Hunt so I rinse everything off as soon as I get Home and do a quick check on the Connections, Nuts and Bolts. Man, I love my Garrett Sea Hunter Mark II - It's Waterproof, Sandproof and Built Solid. Rinse the Detector including Headphones Off with the Garden Hose and Occasionally put some Petroleum Jelly on the "O" Rings for the Coil and Headphone Connections and you are ready for your next Detecting Adventure.
Guy