Cleaning of medal - to do or not to?

[Wessel Gordon]

I recently bought a British War Medal 1939-1945 which has some kind of discoloration on the front as can be seen on the picture.

Is it better to leave it as is or to remove it and if it's better to remove it how should that be done?

 

[PREM]

This raid looks bad and I would remove it personally, it is not a patina ...

[Wessel Gordon]

PREM,

You're right, it's not patina. The color and distribution of the ''stain'' isn't consistent with what one would expect with patina. I would expect the patina after 74 years to be more or less evenly distributed over the medal and cover BOTH obverse and reverse...this occurs only on the reverse so I'm thinking it's some kind of glue. If it was indeed patina I wouldn't even consider cleaning it since that would destroy some of the medal's ''story''.

Question is: what's the best way to clean it?

 

 

[PREM]

Maybe use some commercial numismatic (coins) cleaner? In the form of a paste?

 

Edited December 18, 2019 by PREM

[Wessel Gordon]

That might work. Will just have to find some.

[Brian Wolfe]

If it is glue any brand of mineral spirits should soften the glue and allow it to be gently removed. Even a paint thinner or turpentine should do the trick. Just be sure not the "scrub" it in any manner, scratches will completely ruin the piece.

Please lets us know how you make out.

Regards

Brian

 

[Wessel Gordon]

To be honest I'm nervous to apply any chemicals to a medal since I don't know the metallic composition of each medal and an unfortunately bad reaction can ruin the medal. 

I contacted a medal-mounter and he is willing to clean it for R 50 or about $ 3.50. The biggest expense would be courier cost but I guess that's better than trying it DIY style and ruining an otherwise well preserved medal.

[Chrisvo]

The medal is cupronickel. I would try some rubbing alcohol and see if it removes it. 

These British War Medals are not expensive. If it's a family medal I would understand the need to send it off for proper care but I would save the money and look for a better candidate. 

Regards,

Chris

Edited December 19, 2019 by Chrisvo

[Wessel Gordon]

Chrisvo,

I bought it to add to my collection of British Medals so there's no sentimental value involved.

With ''rubbing alcohol'' I assume it's the same kind of stuff they use in hospital to disinfect your skin before an injection? 

 

[PREM]

14 minutes ago, Wessel Gordon said:

Chrisvo,

Kupiłem go, aby dodać do mojej kolekcji brytyjskich medali, więc nie ma w tym żadnej sentymentalnej wartości.

Z „alkoholem do wycierania” zakładam, że są to te same rzeczy, których używają w szpitalu do dezynfekcji skóry przed zastrzykiem? 

 

Any organic solvent like alcohol, acetone, isopropanol will cope well with adhesives and impurities of this type and certainly will not destroy the medal.

[Wessel Gordon]

Prem, 

Thanks again.

I'll see what I can find in the house. We're renovating before selling so things are a bit...''chaotic'' and certain things definitely not in the spots they aught to be.