Bullion badge Cleaning

[HMPbadges]

Gents,

I have a fabric/bullion KC rank crown I want to clean. The red cushion area is very dark and almost black. How can I gently clean it and what with so as I can get a bit of the colour back?

[41st]

Very gently apply a mix of household ammonia, washing up liquid & water in equal parts i.e. pre mixed, with a soft bristle tooth brush. Rinse thoroughly but not excessively otherwise colours will run and allow to dry naturally.
Always works for me.

[manchesters]

I always use 41st method when cleaning Gilt badges but have never tried it on bullion badges as I have never wanted to get them that wet, so I would be grateful to see some before and after photos if you could please.

regards

[HMPbadges]

That's a great idea Simon, I will do that as a little project, and thanks 41st - I have no household ammonia though??

[manchesters]

You can buy it from hardware shops or on line.

regards

[HMPbadges]

Is there any substitute as I'd only use it this one time?

[manchesters]

No,
Its only cheap in a 500CL plastic bottle.

[Unknownsoldier]

I have in my distant archaic and slightly useless memory, got mention of using white bread for cleaning the bullion thread, but as mentioned above be careful of the colours running.

Tom

[yorkstone]

Do you have an image of the badge is it a PO'S badge?

Regards

Stephen

[Neibelungen]

From my experience i generally wouldn't recommend clean any cloth or embroidered badges with a chemical solution as unless you can neutralise it fully and rinse out any residue it will damage the fabric over time. acid or alkaline leaching if not netralised and removed fully will corrode the fabrics and metal threads over time.

Commercial restoration cleaning uses a specialised detergent in deionised water and a long rinsing process and drying.
Items are hoovered carefully using a fine mesh fabric screen to prevent damage and remove dust and dirt particles.

While the tarnish on gold and silver bullion work can be removed, this process is essentially destructive, removing part of the oxidised top layer of an already extremely thin coating.
The metal itself can tarnish from the base material below via atom migration so cleaning can expose this layer itself too. .

Dry breadcrumbs and fullers earth were traditional dry very mild abrasives for removing oxidation and absorbing dirt and oils. Dusted on and then brushed off lightly to avoid damaging the stitching threads.

[manchesters]

Originally Posted by yorkstone

Do you have an image of the badge is it a PO'S badge?

Regards

Stephen

"I have a fabric/bullion KC rank crown I want to clean."

[yorkstone]

Simon
I am assuming HMPBadges has a pre 1937 senior Ranks badge presumably of Principal Officer or above I am interested to see if it compares to insignia in my own Prison Service collection.

And Yes I no what bullion rank badge look like! but prison items have differences as they were worn as cap & Kepi insignia. Not on the arm or cuff.

Officers wore brass Cap insignia again often argued of a specific design other Than other services so comparing authenticated items is the only way forward collecting to this area.

Regards

Stephen