Damaged, Repair, Clean, Preserve Soviet Awards And Documents. - Page 5

GabrielMk3 · 11-03-2011, 10:51 AM

Sorry for bumping this, but I saw it almost a little bit important to say that you shouldn't remove patina, because patina is a reaction between special "noble metals". Noble metals, like gold, copper, silver, platinum and some more, doesn't corrode. Instead, patina is created on the surface when the metal is in contact with oxygen, so patina will always exist.

But, when patina is created, there is no more oxygen on the surface of the metal, therefore no more patina will be created at the area. BUT!!! If you remove the patina, more patina will be developed, and for each layer of patina you remove, a new one eats a little bit of the metal while being made, and this is like corrosion. But will only damage the metal if you polish it, let patina come back, polish it, and continue with this. Patina should rather be considered as a protective layer for the metal.

Hope this was understandable

Gabriel

EricFG · 11-03-2011, 08:23 PM

You can tell where I stand on this issue by my sig quote.

Bob · 11-04-2011, 12:35 PM

To paraphrase somebody: collecting medals is like sex, the dirtier the better.

Besides, I'm lazy so prefer not to spend time cleaning

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!

EricFG · 11-09-2009, 11:21 AM

Wowzers! That's about as worn out as it can possibly get.
Kinda strange the other two rings show little wear.

Tommy · 07-16-2012, 02:48 PM

Hey Guys,

Got this today.

Medal for the Liberation of Warsaw - Obverse.jpg

Medal for the Liberation of Warsaw - Reverse.jpg

You could say that it's seen better days!

Anyway, age old question...

To clean or not to clean?

New ribbon?

New suspension?

Opinions please!

Tom

medals73 · 07-16-2012, 02:56 PM

The hard life this one has lived is part of its history. I'd leave it completely alone. But, then, I am a purist when it comes to the clear-cutting of history.

Tommy · 07-19-2012, 05:02 AM

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

I'm gonna keep it as is :-)

The thing that surprised me the most is, depite the fact that it's rusty as sin, the pin on the back still works and the metal feels really strong. I have far newer medals with pins that fel much flimsier!

Tommy

Oh and one more thing.

Is this a Type 2 piece? Issued 47ish? The ring seems pretty U-shaped to me, even more so in real life.

Cheers

Lützow · 08-21-2012, 03:13 PM

This is my first comment on this forum. For the record I've been collecting Soviet militaria since about 1990 when I was in Berlin.

I'd clean it up. This is not the condition in which the veteran would have worn this particular campaign medal, so why not make it look presentable?

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

11-03-2011, 10:51 AM	#1
GabrielMk3 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Norway Posts: 190	Re: Cleaning medals Sorry for bumping this, but I saw it almost a little bit important to say that you shouldn't remove patina, because patina is a reaction between special "noble metals". Noble metals, like gold, copper, silver, platinum and some more, doesn't corrode. Instead, patina is created on the surface when the metal is in contact with oxygen, so patina will always exist. But, when patina is created, there is no more oxygen on the surface of the metal, therefore no more patina will be created at the area. BUT!!! If you remove the patina, more patina will be developed, and for each layer of patina you remove, a new one eats a little bit of the metal while being made, and this is like corrosion. But will only damage the metal if you polish it, let patina come back, polish it, and continue with this. Patina should rather be considered as a protective layer for the metal. Hope this was understandable Gabriel

11-03-2011, 08:23 PM	#2
EricFG Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Naples, Florida, USA Age: 59 Posts: 1,496	Re: Cleaning medals You can tell where I stand on this issue by my sig quote. __________________ "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.'

11-04-2011, 12:35 PM	#3
Bob Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Zurich Posts: 335	Re: Cleaning medals To paraphrase somebody: collecting medals is like sex, the dirtier the better. Besides, I'm lazy so prefer not to spend time cleaning

11-08-2009, 11:55 AM	#5
Commissar Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 424	Re: Extreme wear That is definitely something to be proud of!

11-09-2009, 11:21 AM	#6
EricFG Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Naples, Florida, USA Age: 59 Posts: 1,496	Re: Extreme wear Wowzers! That's about as worn out as it can possibly get. Kinda strange the other two rings show little wear. __________________ "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.'

07-16-2012, 02:48 PM	#7
Tommy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Beside the Shankly Gates Age: 36 Posts: 826	To clean or not to clean? Hey Guys, Got this today. Medal for the Liberation of Warsaw - Obverse.jpg Medal for the Liberation of Warsaw - Reverse.jpg You could say that it's seen better days! Anyway, age old question... To clean or not to clean? New ribbon? New suspension? Opinions please! Tom

07-16-2012, 02:56 PM	#8
medals73 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Earth, most of the time Posts: 2,016	Re: To clean or not to clean? The hard life this one has lived is part of its history. I'd leave it completely alone. But, then, I am a purist when it comes to the clear-cutting of history.

07-19-2012, 05:02 AM	#9
Tommy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Beside the Shankly Gates Age: 36 Posts: 826	Re: To clean or not to clean? Thanks for all the replies everyone. I'm gonna keep it as is :-) The thing that surprised me the most is, depite the fact that it's rusty as sin, the pin on the back still works and the metal feels really strong. I have far newer medals with pins that fel much flimsier! Tommy Oh and one more thing. Is this a Type 2 piece? Issued 47ish? The ring seems pretty U-shaped to me, even more so in real life. Cheers

08-21-2012, 03:13 PM	#10
Lützow New Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Europe Posts: 6	Re: To clean or not to clean? This is my first comment on this forum. For the record I've been collecting Soviet militaria since about 1990 when I was in Berlin. I'd clean it up. This is not the condition in which the veteran would have worn this particular campaign medal, so why not make it look presentable?

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