Can I clean spots on a medal?

[stratasfan]

Hi! If a medal (and I mean the metal part, not the ribbon) has little brown spots on it, is there a way to clean that off or stop the corrosion? (I am assuming it is corrosion). Thanks for any help! Medals are completely new to me. However, I am only getting them for displays, these are not family pieces or for museum. Thanks!

[jeff arthur]

Hello stratasfan,most U.S. Military medals are made of brass,which will darken with age,called oxidation,antique collectors or dealers generally call it patina,but cleaning or polishing it away will make brass just as bright as the day it was cast,corrosion refers to rusting of steel & other ferrous metals. If you want to clean away spots on medals,without completely losing the tarnish,you can use a pencil eraser to rub them away,that will however leave a bright spot where you rub it; most badge & medal collectors do not polish the collection for the same reason that coin collectors do not,polish,because repeated polishing gradually wears away the sharpness of the brass or silver or copper piece. I hope I have been a little help,Kind Regards from Iowa, Jeff

[stratasfan]

I probably mean corrosion. but am not quite sure. Here is a photo of a part of a medal that illustrates what I mean. If I were to try the pencil eraser, would it be likely yo return? Thanks!

 

 

Hello stratasfan,most U.S. Military medals are made of brass,which will darken with age,called oxidation,antique collectors or dealers generally call it patina,but cleaning or polishing it away will make brass just as bright as the day it was cast,corrosion refers to rusting of steel & other ferrous metals. If you want to clean away spots on medals,without completely losing the tarnish,you can use a pencil eraser to rub them away,that will however leave a bright spot where you rub it; most badge & medal collectors do not polish the collection for the same reason that coin collectors do not,polish,because repeated polishing gradually wears away the sharpness of the brass or silver or copper piece. I hope I have been a little help,Kind Regards from Iowa, Jeff

 

 

[jeff arthur]

Hello Again,Thanks for the picture,looks like tarnished brass,if you want to clean that away,"Brasso" can be found almost anywhere, there are a plethora of metal polishes available that will clean brass, if you want to make your own,lemon juice with salt added (e.g.reallemon) works pretty good,on a piece of cloth rubbed briskly on the surface; Good Luck, Jeff

[Bruce Linz]

Hello,

 

I would recommend you consider leaving it be. If you must clean it try soft soap, warm water and a very soft toothbrush. You can always get more aggressive in your cleaning if necessary. You can't undo most of the cleaning you do. I would not use brasso to clean your medal it will strip whatever finish off. You wii not be able to replace the finish. Additionally, you have to be carefully not to get any cleaning compound on the medal's ribbon. Good luck.

 

Semper Fi,

Bruce Linz

[stratasfan]

Hi, again! Thanks for the further suggestions. Now for one more thing, if it isn't a bother! I found an example of another variety. Any thoughts about this type of corrosion or tarnish? Thanks!

[Bruce Linz]

Hello,

 

That does not look like corrosion to me. It looks like some of your medal's finish has been chipped away. A light cleaning with soft soap, warm water and your hands should remove any contaminants. Medals get tossed in boxes and drawers and come in contact with all sorts of things. It is not uncommon to see wear and chipping to their finish.

 

Semper Fi

Bruce Linz