Attention: Please take a moment to consider our terms and conditions before posting.
WWII Medal Cleaning Advice

Nug
Posts: 4,623
I'm going to get my Grandads medals from WWII mounted in a frame for my mum and wanted to give them a bit of a clean and wondered if anyone has done this and had any advice. I know there are a lot of views about this after searching online from using an eraser to using brasso to leaving them alone. Also the ribbons are original but could do with a bit of a clean up too. Any advice would be welcome.
Medals are:
1939-1945 Star (yellow copper zinc alloy)
France & Germany Star (yellow copper zinc alloy)
Defence Medal (cupro-nickel)
War Medal 1939-1945 (cupro-nickel)
Medals are:
1939-1945 Star (yellow copper zinc alloy)
France & Germany Star (yellow copper zinc alloy)
Defence Medal (cupro-nickel)
War Medal 1939-1945 (cupro-nickel)
0
Comments
-
Surely best to leave as is, more authentic and representative of time and experience?
If I was looking at a framed collection, that’s how I’d like to see them. Not spruced up, not sure why, but feels slightly disrespectful to the person who fought and was awarded them.3 -
sillav nitram said:Surely best to leave as is, more authentic and representative of time and experience?
If I was looking at a framed collection, that’s how I’d like to see them. Not spruced up, not sure why, but feels slightly disrespectful to the person who fought and was awarded them.1 -
Nug said:I'm going to get my Grandads medals from WWII mounted in a frame for my mum and wanted to give them a bit of a clean and wondered if anyone has done this and had any advice. I know there are a lot of views about this after searching online from using an eraser to using brasso to leaving them alone. Also the ribbons are original but could do with a bit of a clean up too. Any advice would be welcome.
Medals are:
1939-1945 Star (yellow copper zinc alloy)
France & Germany Star (yellow copper zinc alloy)
Defence Medal (cupro-nickel)
War Medal 1939-1945 (cupro-nickel)1 -
sillav nitram said:Surely best to leave as is, more authentic and representative of time and experience?
If I was looking at a framed collection, that’s how I’d like to see them. Not spruced up, not sure why, but feels slightly disrespectful to the person who fought and was awarded them.sillav nitram said:Surely best to leave as is, more authentic and representative of time and experience?
If I was looking at a framed collection, that’s how I’d like to see them. Not spruced up, not sure why, but feels slightly disrespectful to the person who fought and was awarded them.1 -
sillav nitram said:Surely best to leave as is, more authentic and representative of time and experience?
If I was looking at a framed collection, that’s how I’d like to see them. Not spruced up, not sure why, but feels slightly disrespectful to the person who fought and was awarded them.1 -
Baldybonce said:sillav nitram said:Surely best to leave as is, more authentic and representative of time and experience?
If I was looking at a framed collection, that’s how I’d like to see them. Not spruced up, not sure why, but feels slightly disrespectful to the person who fought and was awarded them.
Im referring to the cleaning, perhaps I didn’t make that clear.0 -
Thing is if you cleaned them, how quickly will they tarnish again.....maybe you would have to spray them with some kind of metal varnish protection; if there is such a product?0
-
If you want to clean them then I would suggest doing it very gently at first; soapy water and a cotton bud. And try the back of the medals first, just so you can see if you like how it's coming up.
Plenty of stuff online, but make sure you dont go too far, or else theres no bringing it back.2 -
Oh, and I cant see how its disrespectful to want to clean them. It's not as if you were asking about spraying them gold to bling them up.
At the end of the day they're yours to do with as you see fit.2 -
Off_it said:Oh, and I cant see how its disrespectful to want to clean them. It's not as if you were asking about spraying them gold to bling them up.
At the end of the day they're yours to do with as you see fit.I simply said that was how I felt, not that he shouldn’t do it, let’s stop putting words into people’s mouths.0 - Sponsored links:
-
It’s a lovely idea. My Grandfathers Medals from WW1 are intact with ribbons but are with my Aunt in Australia. Despite me having visited her three times over the years she has never thought to show them to me. If I’d known he’d fought in the Great War I’d have of course asked to see them but I only discovered he had about six months ago. Next time I’m over I’ll see them.0
-
sillav nitram said:Off_it said:Oh, and I cant see how its disrespectful to want to clean them. It's not as if you were asking about spraying them gold to bling them up.
At the end of the day they're yours to do with as you see fit.I simply said that was how I felt, not that he shouldn’t do it, let’s stop putting words into people’s mouths.0 -
Off_it said:sillav nitram said:Off_it said:Oh, and I cant see how its disrespectful to want to clean them. It's not as if you were asking about spraying them gold to bling them up.
At the end of the day they're yours to do with as you see fit.I simply said that was how I felt, not that he shouldn’t do it, let’s stop putting words into people’s mouths.
And I never made a claim that they weren't.0 -
sillav nitram said:Off_it said:sillav nitram said:Off_it said:Oh, and I cant see how its disrespectful to want to clean them. It's not as if you were asking about spraying them gold to bling them up.
At the end of the day they're yours to do with as you see fit.I simply said that was how I felt, not that he shouldn’t do it, let’s stop putting words into people’s mouths.
And I never made a claim that they weren't.
But anyway, for the record, I suggest it's wrong for you to have used the word "disrespectful" in this context.0 -
My father never collected his medals, I think it was his protest.
I think he was so disgusted about how servicemen were treated by the government on their return to civvy street, that he chose not to accept.
In hindsight I also think like many he suffered with PTSD, it would explain a lot of his uncharacteristic behaviour.
I’ve got his service book and have often thought about claiming them but always think I should honour his decision.1 -
Its a personal thing but I would dust but not polish campaign medals, they are made of cupro nickel or a copper alloy so shouldn't tarnish too much, gallantry medals are mainly silver so can be polished.
If you do want to polished them, I wouldn't use brasso but Goddards silver polish and a cotton bud.
As for the ribbons, again dusting is preferable, new ribbons are easily obtained but the originals are best.
If you are framing and have the cardboard box they were issued with, or the paper slip they came with, keep them or even frame them with medals, as WWII medals are unamed on the rim, its the only provenance you will have for future generations.
Hope that helps4 -
0
-
But not sure what he should do with this WW2 Medal that was in the same box
5