04-10-2009, 10:04 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.
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.
