DCLI - pink tinge

Had this DCLI for yonks, but only noticed today that there is a pink tinge to the metal showing through the plating where it has presumably been cleaned.

Others I have do not appear to be plated, with the metal in worn areas being the one colour ('white') and with no signs of this coppery stuff underneath.

Cornwall Ob.BMP.jpgCornwall rev.BMP.jpg

I have no idea if this is a good badge or not, and wonder if the discolouration is indicative of it being bad. Were DCLI badges ever plated?

With thanks,

Peter.

[PembrokeYeo]

Sounds daft I know but it may previously have been cleaned with tomato sauce (I know, as a kid I cleaned a corroded badge with the stuff)! PY.

[Peter Brydon]

Dosnt sound daft at all ( but dont know about it leaving a pink tinge )

In the past I have heard of badges being cleaned in Coca Cola and I remember someone telling me that if you wanted to replace a bronze finish on an officers badge you should hang it just above an open container of vinegar for some days.

Dont know if the vinegar idea works could just be another old wives tale

P.B.

I've used vinegar to clean badges in the past, and have also heard of metal being cleaned with Cola and HP Sauce. The pink hue here doesn't seem to be residue from ketchup though, but I suppose it could be just as effective as HP.

PJ

[Old Smelly]

I have an RTR badge that has a coppery(?) colour showing through on the high points so I assume it is plated, it is WW2 period and came from the vets family, still on the beret.
Lee

[paj1]

maybe the badge was cleaned with something harsh like paint stripper

Originally Posted by Old Smelly

I have an RTR badge that has a coppery(?) colour showing through on the high points so I assume it is plated, it is WW2 period and came from the vets family, still on the beret.
Lee

Thanks Lee, that's slightly reassuring.

Can't imagine this type of badge could take too much polishing before the pink began to show through.

Cheers,

Peter.