To clean or not to clean?

[phaethon]

Hi all,

I have a nice pair of Royal Dublin Fusiliers unofficial regimental shoulder titles but one of them is unfortunately dirty as you can see on the picture below.

What to you guys recommend – should I clean it a little pit and if yes, what I should use or I just leave it as is?

Thank you,

Timo

[jim a]

They have a ground dug appearence... I'd definately clean the top one with the green verdigis first and see how it comes out. You can leave the other one alone depending how you like the job on ethe first one.

[fougasse1940]

I'd soak both in vinegar.

Rgds,

Thomas.

[btns]

Start with dipping it in ammonia to get rid of the green copper oxide (copper I oxide).
Inspect every minute, use a piece of paper or cotton to clean the surface.

After the green muck is gone, you may notice another copper oxide with a black colour.
You can either use vinegar (rather weak, but preferred) or citric acid (quite strong).
The acid will clear the black Copper II oxide, but will leave a reddish spot of pure copper. The zinc has gone.
If it is not too badly damaged you can clear it by polishing.
Note that the black oxide is much harder than the original brass. Polishing it off any surface is hard work.

You will end up with a shiny, brand new badge.
You can apply ammonia to gilded items, but do not dip those into citric acid.

The two copper oxides can be found here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper%28I%29_oxide
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper%28II%29_oxide

[phaethon]

Thank you so much for your advise guys!

And here is the results:



As you can see, title below looks just prefect. More damaged one is not prefect but much better then it was before. Should I try to clean it more with the vinegar or should try citric acid?

Also regards Officer's similar pair, I presume it is better to leave them like they are, because to me looks like the brown colour should be there. What you guys think?

Regards,

Timo

[btns]

The first pair is now OK. There is no black oxide, so acid would only damage.
A light polish (Brasso) will smoothen it up.

I would keep the second pair as is. A thin coat of vaseline helps to clean them up a bit.

[matti467]

My advice, be careful, be cautious and sand blast, test the jet on the cat first so you don't damage your badges....

Originally Posted by matti467

My advice, be careful, be cautious and sand blast, test the jet on the cat first so you don't damage your badges....

catti467

[matti467]

LOL!!! Just practical advice...

Originally Posted by matti467

LOL!!! Just practical advice...

Well I just hope you are feline proud of yourself, sunshine.

[phaethon]

Thank you guys! I will leave bouth pairs as they are now (light vaseline maybe, like btns recomended).

Sand blast.... eee.... as much as I hate cats, sounds too hard games to me

Thanks again guys,

Timo