View Full Version : Medals
heights good
25th Nov 2006, 13:05
Help!!! I have a parade tomorrow and I have just put my medals on my No 1's and they are quite tarnished. Does anybody have any idea how to clean and polish medals without damaging them?
Many thanks
Heights good
RETDPI
25th Nov 2006, 13:11
Help!!! I have a parade tomorrow and I have just put my medals on my No 1's and they are quite tarnished. Does anybody have any idea how to clean and polish medals without damaging them?
Many thanks
Heights good
Sounds like you must be below Air Rank ( presuming that they are theatre based medals)
Chugalug2
25th Nov 2006, 13:18
. Does anybody have any idea how to clean and polish medals without damaging them?
Hand them over to your batman, old boy, and tell him to be quick about it!
Skua'd
25th Nov 2006, 13:51
You can get metal polishing cloths, or be very careful with Brasso.:ok:
You've been Skua'd...
HeliAviator
25th Nov 2006, 13:55
Heightsgood - STEADY!
Chap, get down to Tesco's for some Brasso Wadding. Put some plastic over the ribbon (under the gong), apply using eblow grease, let dry, polish orf.
Don't polish the dark coloured one(s).
Honestly, this must be a WAW?
PS. I know you............
QFIhawkman
25th Nov 2006, 14:01
I wouldn't go with brasso too often. It's quite abrasive and will scratch the medals. Duraglit is slightly kinder.
I personally use lemon juice however. It's just slightly acidic and so will remove that tarnish, and it won't scratch. Leaves your medals fresh smelling too!
As the previous posters have said, cover the ribbons (cling film is good) otherwise they'll stain.
Mr C Hinecap
25th Nov 2006, 14:09
Pop along to John Lewis or the like (you DO have a John Lewis near you don't you?) and get a silver polishing or jewellery polishing cloth. More gentle again and very effective.
SASless
25th Nov 2006, 14:20
"Tarnished Medals".....sounds like John Kerry could answer your questions since he is an accomplished medal polisher.
HeliAviator
25th Nov 2006, 14:34
Heightsgood
I never knew you were in the "Medals Group", though it has been some time since I saw you last. :eek:
L J R
25th Nov 2006, 14:34
Don't bother about your Medals or your No 1s, just DONT FRONT to the parade!
teeteringhead
25th Nov 2006, 14:35
Use a rubber (eraser for the cousins!) on the end of a pencil. Works wonders very quickly. When they are clean,then clingfim them (after the parade!) and they'll stay that way 'til the next time...
brickhistory
25th Nov 2006, 14:40
Use a rubber (eraser for the cousins!) on the end of a pencil.
So is the reverse phrase-ology true as well?
Good call teetering, the rubber erasing tool is the way forward; don't forget to take them of the No1s 1st!!!! I find one not attached to the pencil more efficient.
Over polish an OBE and it will become an MBE. Believe me, my Dad did just that.
snapper41
27th Nov 2006, 18:00
My Iraq medal seems to have been made with built-in tarnish; it's definitely poorer quality than my others, and try as I might with polish, it never comes properly clean.
heights good
27th Nov 2006, 18:07
Heightsgood
I never knew you were in the "Medals Group", though it has been some time since I saw you last. :eek:
Heliaviator I think you may have mistaken me for someone else, looked at your profile and I'm afraid I dont recognise you at all.
Heights good
Olly O'Leg
27th Nov 2006, 18:39
Snapper,
Sent my medals (all 2 of them...) off to get mounted and they polished my Iraq medal. Came back shiny on one half and dull on the other. If you listen to the ladies in the tailors, apparently that's how they should be (dull, not half and half)!!!! Don't make `em like they used to.......
QFIhawkman
27th Nov 2006, 18:42
Heliaviator I think you may have mistaken me for someone else, looked at your profile and I'm afraid I dont recognise you at all.
Heights good
Sod all that! How did the medals turn out? Did you get the big thumbs up from the big SWO man? And what method did you use? I'm on tenterhooks!
228 OCU
27th Nov 2006, 19:27
How can someone not know how to polish their medals; you'll be asking how to polish your boots next! :rolleyes: :)
I assume you are from the "Staybrite" & plastic webbing era. None of that crap in my day; just good old brass buttons, Brasso, button stick and a tin of blanco. Oh well that's progress.
heights good
27th Nov 2006, 19:47
How can someone not know how to polish their medals; you'll be asking how to polish your boots next! :rolleyes: :)
I assume you are from the "Staybrite" & plastic webbing era. None of that crap in my day; just good old brass buttons, Brasso, button stick and a tin of blanco. Oh well that's progress.
Ok chaps there is obviously some confusion, bad brief on my part I suppose. I know HOW to polish medals but my grandpa's medals are worn away because he used Brasso on them and have been warned about the same problem from the old knackers on the sqn. I wasn't sure if there was ANOTHER less destructive way to get them shiny. :)
Heights good
228 OCU
27th Nov 2006, 19:54
Sorry for my post, no insult intended.
heights good
27th Nov 2006, 19:59
Sorry for my post, no insult intended.
Its ok I didn't realise it was an insult, no offence taken. I think they call it banter, obviously didn't have it in "your day" :} ;)
Heights good
228 OCU
27th Nov 2006, 20:01
Touche dear boy.:)
Butty
27th Nov 2006, 21:51
Silver dip, clean water, soft cloth.
Army Mover
28th Nov 2006, 12:19
Cigarette ash and a soft duster - doesn't leave any debris in the engravings. After use, wipe off any stains from rain (or beer:E ) and store in a folded duster.
TrickyTree
28th Nov 2006, 12:55
You should not polish medals because it destroys the minting.
I just dip mine in this stuff (http://www.scjohnson.co.uk/products/product.asp?idr=1&idb=3&idp=32), rise them under the cold tap and then pat dry with kitchen/loo roll. Works really well.
I'm told that Spink's will gild and plate them but I haven't investigated this, though I may well do.
spannerless
28th Nov 2006, 13:24
Heightsgood - STEADY!
Chap, get down to Tesco's for some Brasso Wadding. Put some plastic over the ribbon (under the gong), apply using eblow grease, let dry, polish orf.
Don't polish the dark coloured one(s).
Honestly, this must be a WAW?
PS. I know you............
Personally I'd bee fookin careful I'd hardly worn mine before retirement and probably polished twice and the cheap silver coating on the edge started to depart!!!!
Just shows whot a bunch of cheap skates the MOD are and how much they value your efforts!
I'd be very careful around the tarnished surface area!!!
:sad:
Blacksheep
29th Nov 2006, 02:13
While worrying about the medals I'd advise whipping your sword out for a quick butcher's.
Our plating workshop does a roaring trade twice every year. Once just before National Day and again just before His Majesty's Birthday.