Damaged, Repair, Clean, Preserve Soviet Awards And Documents. - Page 42

Bogdan · 04-10-2009, 05:04 PM

I'm with Tretov on this, it is probably better if medals and orders are not cleaned. However, if there has to be something done, then what Eric FG suggests should be the most that should be done to them. The threads he suggested are very helpful in this matter too.

Recently, a person showed me a "cleaned" piece and the results were terrible. I saw this piece before and seeing it now really makes me feel bad for the soldier who won it. Abrasives and chemicals should never be used in cleaning as years of history will be removed and the piece will never be the same again. Leave them as they are or clean loose and surface crud with very little dishwater liquid and water and a lot of carefulness.

Lapa · 04-11-2009, 04:55 AM

Guys,

My general advice when it come to cleaning is: don't do it!

Now, that being said, there may be cases when a little touching up is in order. If you need to remove some gooey gunk, then use some acetone (in a well ventialted location), it will dissolve most grease and dirt and is neutral with respect to metal. The only other variant would be some mild soap in warm water. In both cases, make sure that you thoroughly rinse the piece under running cold water.

Marc

UQWozza · 04-11-2009, 07:08 PM

I also agree with the guys that the best way to clean is NOT to do it!

However, there is one situation for me that overrides that basic rule. If there is an obvious spot of corrosion what is damaging the award then I generally polish it off so that it doesn't damage the award further.

Simon

Esteban_cool · 04-12-2009, 01:05 AM

After receiving the advice of not polishing/cleaning medals, I don´t do it neither. What I do clean is a green stuff that sometimes gather around the notches. I have managed to remove them with a toothbrush, mild water, soap and a LOT of patience.

Bogdan · 04-12-2009, 02:42 PM

I agree with Simon and Esteban, taking corrosion off might be a good idea but only in a gentle way. It will come back but if the medals are stored properly, it will take a longer amount of time for it to come back. To sum, the best thing to do is not clean, but if trash or junk or corrosion is a problem, remove it gently and with a lot of patience as Esteban advises. We are collectors but we are also preservationists and we need to keep those things that are pertinent to the history of the piece rather than to make our pieces look like they were just minted. (ribbons included)

EricFG · 04-12-2009, 02:52 PM

The only actual corrosion I know about is "zink pest" and since there are no zink Soviet medals we have nothing to fear. The green stuff on brass medals is called "verdigris" and is not harmful to the metal I believe.

Nota Bene · 04-12-2009, 06:01 PM

Verdigris is quite harmfull to the metal and with time can cause significant damage. I have seen old coins almost completely "eaten up" by this stuff.

Alexei

Bogdan · 04-12-2009, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nota Bene

Verdigris is quite harmfull to the metal and with time can cause significant damage. I have seen old coins almost completely "eaten up" by this stuff.

Alexei

I agree Alexei, I have seen this happen too and have some coins that this has happened to. Any time I see it, I do whatever I can to get rid of it outside of using anything harsh.

EricFG · 11-08-2009, 09:23 AM

I noticed this DoS last night while looking for something else. I saw how thin the suspension ring was at the bottom point of the loop. Looks like it's been worn thin from so many years of swinging back and forth while proudly worn by its owner.
Sorry for the slight lack of focus; it's early here and I've had too much coffee already.

Commissar · 11-08-2009, 11:55 AM

That is definitely something to be proud of!

View Poll Results: Repair or not
Leave the damn thing alone! Don't mess with what looks like a period repair	12	54.55%
Have the solder removed to make the serial number readable	9	40.91%
Repair the enamel only	0	0%
Remove the solder AND repair the enamel	1	4.55%
Voters: 22. You may not vote on this poll

04-10-2009, 05:04 PM	#411
Bogdan Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: East Texas Age: 64 Posts: 52	Re: Cleaning medals I'm with Tretov on this, it is probably better if medals and orders are not cleaned. However, if there has to be something done, then what Eric FG suggests should be the most that should be done to them. The threads he suggested are very helpful in this matter too. Recently, a person showed me a "cleaned" piece and the results were terrible. I saw this piece before and seeing it now really makes me feel bad for the soldier who won it. Abrasives and chemicals should never be used in cleaning as years of history will be removed and the piece will never be the same again. Leave them as they are or clean loose and surface crud with very little dishwater liquid and water and a lot of carefulness.

04-11-2009, 04:55 AM	#412
Lapa Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: St Petersburg, Russia Age: 63 Posts: 2,397	Re: Cleaning medals Guys, My general advice when it come to cleaning is: don't do it! Now, that being said, there may be cases when a little touching up is in order. If you need to remove some gooey gunk, then use some acetone (in a well ventialted location), it will dissolve most grease and dirt and is neutral with respect to metal. The only other variant would be some mild soap in warm water. In both cases, make sure that you thoroughly rinse the piece under running cold water. Marc

04-11-2009, 07:08 PM	#413
UQWozza Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Brisbane, Australia Age: 62 Posts: 432	Re: Cleaning medals I also agree with the guys that the best way to clean is NOT to do it! However, there is one situation for me that overrides that basic rule. If there is an obvious spot of corrosion what is damaging the award then I generally polish it off so that it doesn't damage the award further. Simon Last edited by UQWozza; 04-12-2009 at 03:14 AM.

04-12-2009, 01:05 AM	#414
Esteban_cool Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Santiago, Chile Age: 36 Posts: 1,103	Re: Cleaning medals After receiving the advice of not polishing/cleaning medals, I don´t do it neither. What I do clean is a green stuff that sometimes gather around the notches. I have managed to remove them with a toothbrush, mild water, soap and a LOT of patience. __________________ There's nothing in the streets Looks any different to me And the slogans are replaced, by-the-bye And the parting on the left Are now parting on the right And the beards have all grown longer overnight The Who, Won't get fooled again

04-12-2009, 02:42 PM	#415
Bogdan Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: East Texas Age: 64 Posts: 52	Re: Cleaning medals I agree with Simon and Esteban, taking corrosion off might be a good idea but only in a gentle way. It will come back but if the medals are stored properly, it will take a longer amount of time for it to come back. To sum, the best thing to do is not clean, but if trash or junk or corrosion is a problem, remove it gently and with a lot of patience as Esteban advises. We are collectors but we are also preservationists and we need to keep those things that are pertinent to the history of the piece rather than to make our pieces look like they were just minted. (ribbons included)

04-12-2009, 02:52 PM	#416
EricFG Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Naples, Florida, USA Age: 59 Posts: 1,496	Re: Cleaning medals The only actual corrosion I know about is "zink pest" and since there are no zink Soviet medals we have nothing to fear. The green stuff on brass medals is called "verdigris" and is not harmful to the metal I believe. __________________ "patina imparts character" - PJS A wise man said: 'you should not pay a premium for what you want beyond your comfort level, and always ensure there is a mutually agreeable return policy.'

04-12-2009, 06:01 PM	#417
Nota Bene Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: New York USA Posts: 2,296	Re: Cleaning medals Verdigris is quite harmfull to the metal and with time can cause significant damage. I have seen old coins almost completely "eaten up" by this stuff. Alexei

11-08-2009, 11:55 AM	#420
Commissar Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 424	Re: Extreme wear That is definitely something to be proud of!

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