Old Marine Posted August 12, 2011 Share #1 Posted August 12, 2011 As I guess you guys know, I have digging through boxes of stuff I have accumulated over the years and have been sorting it out. I dug out some original 1960s SVN made Cross of Gallantry medals that have been stored in these boxes for well over 25 years. From the following photos you can see how foam rubber padding breaks down over the years. I should have known better, and not left them on that foam, but this is what happens when you accumulate more than you can care for, oh well. The foam padding has morphed in to some kind of crumbly, sticky goo. I'll probably be able to clean up these medals with some care, but you can see the damage done to the backs of the medals. Don't use foam rubber. Anyway I thought I would post the ugly photos just to let you see the effects of long term storage using the wrong materials. Go get those medals out of the foam padded boxes now. Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Marine Posted August 12, 2011 Author Share #2 Posted August 12, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Marine Posted August 12, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted August 12, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Marine Posted August 12, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted August 12, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted August 13, 2011 Share #5 Posted August 13, 2011 Dennis, Thanks for making "lemon-aid" for the rest of us. I hope it cleans up and you can save the medals!! R :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garandomatic Posted August 13, 2011 Share #6 Posted August 13, 2011 Acetone ought to clear it from the metal part of the medal, but I wouldn't try it on the ribbon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkdriver Posted August 13, 2011 Share #7 Posted August 13, 2011 Try putting them in the freezer. Then the rubber foam will harden up and it will crumble away, hopefully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boxerdogi Posted August 13, 2011 Share #8 Posted August 13, 2011 This is a common problem with old flight helmets...imagine black foam stuck to the white styrofoam inner shell. Huge mess! Krud Kutter may help, but I would try the freezer idea first....Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Marine Posted August 13, 2011 Author Share #9 Posted August 13, 2011 The Freezer huh? Brilliant! They are in there now I'll let you know how it works. Thanks guys. Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkdriver Posted August 13, 2011 Share #10 Posted August 13, 2011 Please, if nothing else, you will end up with some really cool medals! ..... OK, I know that was bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Marine Posted August 14, 2011 Author Share #11 Posted August 14, 2011 Bad, but funny.......I know you couldn't resist. You almost got my coffee out my nose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ASMIC2971 Posted January 7, 2013 Share #12 Posted January 7, 2013 Did putting them in the freezer work? I just picked up some older 1/7 Cav unit crests that have foam stuck to them and would like to clean the backs to see if there are any makers mark (not the whiskey, thats in the cupboard!)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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