Straighten plastic economy badges
 

Hi All,

has anyone tried to flatten out a bent plastic economy badge with success ? If so, what is the best method ?

Cheers, Mark

Hi Mark,
I’ve done 3 or 4 in my collection buy putting the badge in hot ( not boiling!!) water for a few minutes just to supple it a bit then I laid a book on it and left it a couple of days and it’s worked for me , don’t know if it was more luck than judgement but maybe try it on one .

Gerard

Mark I second Gerard's method, its worked for me.
Cheers Tony.

Be aware that you can crack the badge also! Take it nice and easy, try it out on a badge like the R.E.M.E. only in that it is prone to Warping and is easily replaced at no great cost!

Cameron Highlanders
 

I have a Cameron Highlanders that is warped, ever since the first lock down I have promised myself I would straighten it, I may give it a go, but it has taken me a long time to acquire this badge, hence my reluctance.

Rob

badges
 

Hi Rob,

will try it on mine first and let you know so save your badge...

Mark

Have myself used Hot water and used fingers to squeeze to proper shape and quick "cure" in cold water to hold shape, this way you can feel if badge is resisting (ready to break) you can keep going back to badge over a few days and gradually get to where you like.

Have heard of using Steaming kettle, place badge on sheet of paper and direct over the steam and then shape the badge, not tried this one myself as wife slung kettle (The Only way to make a proper cup of Tea!)

If you are going to do any of the above and then place a heavy weight, even by pressing down onto badge and then leaving a weight on badge you may "Flatten" highlights on the badge, think the Scottish Rgts as the Acetate has softened in the Hot Water/Steam.

Good luck, try on an Old badge! Camerons is prone to Warping in 2 directions so you have to take that into account, guess you need to do this very carefully, any chance off a before shot of badge?

All the best billy

I used to have a plastic Military Police cap badge which had been curved to fit the front of the SD cap, presumably using the hot water method described, so it is possible - although that was with a new badge and not one c.75 years old. I'd counsel trying it a couple of times on gash badges before on an expensive one, and if in any doubt leave well alone.

Graham

I have one of those Graham seriously bent, and agree go for cheap one first!

Hot water did not work on the DCLI that I had a long time ago. It just discoloured it.

I had 2 x RASC badges and 1 x RAOC, all very badly warped.
I simply covered them with cloth and used two pair of pliers and straightened them all, no heat, no water. I left them for a little while and went back to check on them, they were all OK with no cracks or breaks in the plastic.

They were beyond repairing, so I had nothing to lose.
I tried it a 4th time on another RAOC badge and cracked it, which o repaired with a small amount of glue.

I took pictures before and after, if anyone is interested I can post them.

Ken (the Fatboy)

The Royal Malta Artillery badge I used to own had;

May be bent in hot water moulded into it.

Have tried on one of those civilian m.i.d.s that were only issued from 1940-43.

No cracking, but it seems to have reverted to its slightly bent shape after losing its bend for a little time.

Time for another go at it?

plastic
 

Hi All,

the hot water and heavy weight worked on this DCLi one. Pictures before and after..did the water and weight twice then sat for a while working the badge in fingers slowly pressing flat, heat from hands seemed just enough to warm the plastic for final manipulation. Good as it's going to get,but happy with it.

Many thanks for all suggestions,

Mark