AAF_Collection Posted February 19, 2012 Share #1 Posted February 19, 2012 I have in my collection this USAAF P-38 Pilots Ring which is heavily tarnished and I would welcome any thoughts on whether I should clean it or not?. Thanks, Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sjef Posted February 19, 2012 Share #2 Posted February 19, 2012 I asked this same question ones about an observer wing which had become quite dark over the years. The advice given was to just brush it lightly with water and soap. It came out very nice with the higher parts standing out though leaving a nice patina on the lower areas. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted February 19, 2012 Share #3 Posted February 19, 2012 We've had this same question come up about cleaning wings. Personally, I'm with Sjef - I'd clean it with soap and water. Dish soap is best because it doesn't leave residue and it leaves a nice, light gloss behind. Depending on the patina, I'll just lightly brush the highlights with a polishing cloth (NEVER with polishing liquid or paste!) and that leaves 90% of the original patina behind in the deep areas. I used to do this all the time when I collected Soviet awards, but it doesn't work so well on US uniforms.... Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Costa Posted February 19, 2012 Share #4 Posted February 19, 2012 frankly--- i leave it alone. it is what it is and the age makes it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted February 19, 2012 Share #5 Posted February 19, 2012 I'll go along with Sjef and Dave! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAF_Collection Posted February 19, 2012 Author Share #6 Posted February 19, 2012 Thanks to all for your advice :thumbsup: I have given the ring a gentle clean in soapy water using a soft toothbrush,followed by carefully using white sprit and a q-tip on the highlights and I'm pleased with the result. Cheers, Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
17thairborne Posted February 19, 2012 Share #7 Posted February 19, 2012 I'm with Costa. My opinion is to only clean for the purpose of removing something that will cause further degredation of the item. Granted, soap and water will do no damage, but it does remove some of the patina, and that is where the value comes from. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swmdo Posted February 19, 2012 Share #8 Posted February 19, 2012 frankly--- i leave it alone. it is what it is and the age makes it. I agree best to leave things alone!! :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyCanteen Posted February 20, 2012 Share #9 Posted February 20, 2012 A question with many answers. IMHO it is not "tarnished", it has "patina" and I wouldn't touch it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sjef Posted February 21, 2012 Share #10 Posted February 21, 2012 Thanks to all for your advice :thumbsup: I have given the ring a gentle clean in soapy water using a soft toothbrush,followed by carefully using white sprit and a q-tip on the highlights and I'm pleased with the result. Cheers, Matt. Could you maybe post a picture of the result? I am very curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAF_Collection Posted February 22, 2012 Author Share #11 Posted February 22, 2012 Sure,let me take some pics... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAF_Collection Posted March 9, 2012 Author Share #12 Posted March 9, 2012 Apologies for the delay in taking these shots of the ring after cleaning. The rings owner was a P-38 Pilot with the 384th FS,364th FG Eighth Air Force,he was shot down and made POW in May 44. I bought the ring and some insignia from his son via ebay several years ago,unfortunately I missed his POW tags :crying: I will post details of the group under groupings when I have a better camera!. Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Apathy Posted March 9, 2012 Share #13 Posted March 9, 2012 Apologies for the delay in taking these shots of the ring after cleaning. The rings owner was a P-38 Pilot with the 384th FS,364th FG Eighth Air Force,he was shot down and made POW in May 44. I bought the ring and some insignia from his son via ebay several years ago,unfortunately I missed his POW tags :crying: I will post details of the group under groupings when I have a better camera!. Matt. Matt, very nice :thumbsup: , lot of detail in that ring and knowing the previous owner is great, sad to think though that a son would not treasure such a personal item. ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAF_Collection Posted March 9, 2012 Author Share #14 Posted March 9, 2012 Indeed Ken,I asked him why he'd decided to sell the ring and other items and he said he still had his memories of his dad and he was keeping his albums etc. He did scan several photos for me and the POW Wartime Log his dad kept. Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley*76 Posted May 23, 2012 Share #15 Posted May 23, 2012 I have two wings that came in a grouping of mine (hoping to post images of it later). I use a product called "Nevr Dull" on the silver of my horse riding tack and it leaves a beautiful shine. You pull a little wad of it out of the can- reminds me of quilt batting- and it already has the cleaner in it. All you do is buff and take a soft cloth to rub the tarnish and residue off. On my saddle conchos, the silver on my bit, etc it leaves a beautiful shine, but I'm not sure if it would leave any patina on a medal or wings. :think: I know it is safe on a lot of things- from brass to aluminum to chrome to sterling silver. You can find it at auto part stores (I think....probably ones that specialize in old cars) and in tack shops. I've yet to use it on anything in my collection, but I did use it on a sterling silver ring that was made for my grandmother in the early to mid 1900s: left the silver shiny, but didn't remove the shading in the etching. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAF_Collection Posted May 23, 2012 Author Share #16 Posted May 23, 2012 I have two wings that came in a grouping of mine (hoping to post images of it later). I use a product called "Nevr Dull" on the silver of my horse riding tack and it leaves a beautiful shine. You pull a little wad of it out of the can- reminds me of quilt batting- and it already has the cleaner in it. All you do is buff and take a soft cloth to rub the tarnish and residue off. On my saddle conchos, the silver on my bit, etc it leaves a beautiful shine, but I'm not sure if it would leave any patina on a medal or wings. :think: I know it is safe on a lot of things- from brass to aluminum to chrome to sterling silver. You can find it at auto part stores (I think....probably ones that specialize in old cars) and in tack shops. I've yet to use it on anything in my collection, but I did use it on a sterling silver ring that was made for my grandmother in the early to mid 1900s: left the silver shiny, but didn't remove the shading in the etching. Hi Ashley, Thanks for your reply. Personally I wouldn't use polish on wings etc,I have found white spirit on a q-tip removes dirt and heavy tarnish but leaves a nice even patina. Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JC1972 Posted July 15, 2012 Share #17 Posted July 15, 2012 Matt, great results on the ring. Looks a lot nicer and no damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelligerentBlue Posted July 17, 2012 Share #18 Posted July 17, 2012 I like the fact that you cleaned it, usually I'm against it but you got great results! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAF_Collection Posted July 31, 2012 Author Share #19 Posted July 31, 2012 Thanks for the positive comments guys :thumbsup: I will post some pictures of my other AAF class rings as soon as I have time. Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jba1973 Posted October 8, 2012 Share #20 Posted October 8, 2012 I am now, and will remain a leave it alone guy. Your ring ,however, came out great nice find and good luck with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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