Now you should understand that I am one of those purists that would never think of polishing medals, punching new holes in tunics, or mucking around with hat badges. It is as it is. But I got this great deal on an armor summer M40, the great deal because it isn't just stained, it's actually moldy. Really, really moldy. Too moldy for me to risk putting it with my other uniforms so I break down today and am cleaning it (gently, gently). The collar tabs are semi-removable with a hook and eyelet at the apex and simply whip-stitched around the edge so I pulled those off. A look at the rear gives you a clue as to why you should not store your uniforms in a flooded basement.
Well, some better
The mold left some darker stains on the upper shoulders but the tunic isn't moving on its own anymore. Several rounds with woolite followed by some spot toothbrush scrubs with oxyclean. I'll put some shiny orders in the two tailored holes on the left chest to distract from the spots. Below is back of collar tabs, post scrub.
devalcourt Wrote:You should offer to do an endorsement commercial for whatever cleaning products you used because the difference is remarkable.:) Phillip
Oxyclean needs a new pitchman.
"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.'
10-28-2009, 11:49 AM (This post was last modified: 10-28-2009, 11:54 AM by Jeffrey Meffert.)
I would take it up with Billy Mays that it didn't work as well as the infomercials implied but there is that whole dead thing. I will say it worked better on the tunic itself than the collar tabs. The chevron patches were almost as bad as the back of the collar tabs but they cleaned up nicely without damaging the gold. (Didn't use the oxyclean here, just woolite and a toothbrush)
These are "post" cleaning. I should have taken "pre" photos
Wow, the gold just pops out at you. Looking at the tunic, I'd hate to imagine what the "before" picture would look like. Was there a warning label with it from the EPA about the health hazard? :rolleyes:
I am surprised the fabric itself hasn't suffered more damage from being host to a mold and mildew orgy (what? It is what the organisms were doing - reproducing in large numbers...);)
I also love the tailored order/badge holes. It shows a certitude or finality of ownership probably because the "Terror" was pretty much over by then. I don't know much about Soviet rank based on chevrons, so could you tell me what rank and branch this jacket is from?
