Problem Cleaning military medals

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Dancinbaer

Dancinbaer

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Posts
1,267
Loc
De Pere, WI
Customer brought in what resembled a military shadow box with a picture and several medals stuck on thin cardboard. It appears when the pieces were originally framed, my guess is late 60's or early 70's, they were mounted on a red cardboard backed foam rubber. The foam rubber has broken down to a sticky powdery mess and separated from its backing. The "red stuff" is sticking to the medals. Any suggestions on how to clean them?

Thanks
 
Try some denatured alcohol on a cotton swab. Be sure to use the ones with wooden sticks because the plastic ones will melt almost immediately.

We are talking about the back side of the medal only aren't we?
 
In my reseaurch I've found that warm water and a mild soap is most recommended as most other cleaners will damage the bronze, damage will not be noticable at first but as a short amount of time goes by the medal may turn to a black color.( would customer concider replacements) us gov. will issue one set of replacements.good luck.
 
Jeff Rodier said:
We are talking about the back side of the medal only aren't we?
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The way this foam rubber broke down it ended up on both sides of the medals and the ribbons they are attached to. The loose stuff I could rub off with my finger but its leaving a thin film all over the medals and ribbons.

I'll try the alcohol.

I suggested to the customer putting them in a regular shadowbox but they don't want to (or understandably can't) spend the money and asked me just to use the existing frame. Which is just a regular picture frame. The person that the medals belong to I'm pretty sure was their son who was killed in Viet Nam. I've decided not to use the original frame but to mount them up right with some extra moulding I have in stock at no extra charge. One of the medals is a purple heart.

Thanks for the tips
 
I hope it all works out for you, how many medals are there? I know there most likely isn't time to get gov.replacements but you could let the costumer know about it (form SF-180) if I can help let me know
 
fireman356 said:
I hope it all works out for you, how many medals are there? I know there most likely isn't time to get gov.replacements but you could let the costumer know about it (form SF-180) if I can help let me know
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Thanks for the offer Fireman356. Time really isn't an issue, they said there was no hurry. The more I think about it, the more I feel this should really be done up right. I'll call them about getting replacements. I'm assuming the SF-180 is available from the VA website? I'll get it for them.

I'm wondering if something like Dove dish soap would work without harming the medals?

Jeff, I followed your link. The medals aren't that bad they would need that type of cleaning. Thanks for the link though.
 
Fireman, thanks for letting us know the government will issue one replacement set of medals. That's something I had no idea was a possibility, and is very good to know for future reference.
 
I think dove will work for the medals but the drapes shouldn't get wet.
if vet was in army or air force try (MPRC) military personnel records center. thay have an e-vets section to make request by e-mail for us sailors or marines well were still stuck in the stone age, all paper.oh yea make sure you rinse well.
 
Shayla, you are truly welcome.It may be worth saying the replacement could take some time,make sure you inform people of that. there are a lot of benefits our vets aren't aware of some could be very helpful but I digress, thank again
 
The Military is very good at replacing medals. All you have to do is prove who the person was, and they can find in their records what medals the person earned.

The person earned their medals, and they (and thier decendents) have the right to be able to see their medals.
 
It takes months to get medals from govt...alternative is buy replacements from Medals of America (w.w.w. usmedals.com )...they are official medals and are avail in anodized finish also....have used this source for dozens of jobs and never disappointed...also US cannot furnish foreign medals that the vet was awarded but you can get them from Medals of America.
 
LOL I forgot that people that don't have contacts in the Military would have a longer wait for the replacement medals. I used to be in the Maryland area, and had lots of customers that were Military.

You are right, they can take a while.
 
couture's gallery said:
It takes months to get medals from govt...alternative is buy replacements from Medals of America (w.w.w. usmedals.com )...
Click to expand...

I've used Medals of America several times, they are a very good source.

As was suggested I printed off SF-180 and will give it to the customers.

Thanks all,
 
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