cleaning

[appie_b]

Hello,

I have noticed that some Canadian badges have dark brown spots on them, mostly around the lugs and edges.

Is there a way of cleaning/removing these stains


Albert.

[DavidS]

That staining is from the flux, and it's quite common on a lot of later, more common badges (IV PLDG, RCAMC, Elgin, Saguenay, Hull, etc.). The longer they have sat with this not neutralized, the more pronounced this gets and the more it spreads.

You can kill it and get rid of the black by tossing the badge in a straight vinegar bath. Give it 2 or 3 minutes soaking, then have at it with a soft toothbrush and some dish soap. If the black hasn't been removed completely, repeat until it is gone. A lot, if not all of the black will come off, but you will probably be left with some red-brown staining where it was. It will also make copper new penny bright.

This will also work to remove green verdigris.

On a really common badge like this, if the black rot has spread to the front significantly, you may just want to toss it and look for a better example.