Cleaning Gilt - Robin Hoods - As Good as it Gets?
 

Following the advice in
https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ad.php?t=87695

I cleaned this Robin Hoods badge (note upside down Gaunt Plaque) - should I try again or leave it?

Advice welcome.

Chris

Several different methods in that thread, unsure which was used here.

The badge would have had a blackened finish originally but it looks like it now only remains on about 40% of the front.

Strictly speaking you are removing or trying to, I think (?), it’s original finish so this is not really a cleaning job.

As to what to do, I personally don’t like the calico look but equally I wouldn’t want to strip it’s original finish… so I likely would’ve passed on it.

Unless I’ve misunderstood the situation or what you are trying to achieve?

Thanks Luke,

With your points I will do some thinking

Chris

No worries.

An overnight soak in old pickle vinegar then scrub with a toothbrush and fairy washing up liquid under warm water does remove (at least some) original black finishes. You may likely need to repeat the process. If no effect after a couple tries it will need a different approach.

I’d say your options are:
1. leave it alone
2. re-black it in its current condition, this may produce an uneven finish.
3. strip it and leave it as GM
4. strip it and then re-black

Chris

Leave it in a bath of white vinegar for a couple of hours. take it out and give it a clean with a soft toothbrush and dish soap in some warm water. Rinse and buff with a lint free cloth.

You might have to give it another dip in the vinegar, depending on how grimey it is after the first go.

But the end result will be a sparkling gilt badge..... thats had no harm done to it :)

But it wasn’t gilt to start with Griff?

It’s a BB badge where the black is mostly worn off. The vinegar and toothbrush scrub will (likely) remove the last of its original black finish so definition of harm there is a little subjective. But I agree it won’t damage the metal of the badge.

Thank Griff and Luke.

Chris

Would the vinegar method work on a silver plate and gilt item ?

oh.... I thought it was Gilt? My mistake :)

The Vinegar method is perfect for gilt as it breaks down all the natural oils and gunk that has built up over time. It does work for other metals as well (and finishes, I have used it on "Bronzed"). For silver though I always use Goddards silver dip.

I agree with Griff, Goddards silver dip is good albeit perhaps not as good as it used to be. I’m certain they changed the formula about 10 years ago as WM badges which used to come up lovely in it now no longer do.

Also be carful with plate, I dipped a really grubby and corroded Mine Clearance Service badge in it and it turned out it was plated in something. My jar of silver dip ended up resembling a snow globe with flecks of this plate.

But I’m certain if it’s proper silver plate that wouldn’t happen.

Also I’m sure vinegar or lemon juice would be effective but not as long lasting as silver dip which is designed to keep it tarnish free for a time.

....glad someone else noticed.

I know. Found out the hard way. Produced some shocking results on a 2nd V.B. Essex, Bloomsbury Rifles, Border Regt and 4th V.B. Surrey. Honestly could’ve cried.

The Border Regt is still a casualty but others are OK now thanks God.

.... I have resorted back to good old brasso for my white metals.

There is "silver cloth" which when rubbed on silver cleans it and will prevent or delay tarnish isn't there? I seem to remember it from years ago, also an equivalent for brass etc,

Ditto. I used the method described in post #4 and ended with a tooth brush dipped in Brasso before a final scrub with washing up liquid and rinse in warm water. Finally a buff with a cotton wool bud before a good blast under the hairdryer to ensure it’s totally dry.