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Getting Medals Clean Again. Suggestions?

(28 Posts)
TwinLolly Mon 10-Jan-22 18:20:45

Mum used to clean my dad's silver and bronze medals ?? (from the Commonwealth & Cardiff Games back in the early 1950's) with Brasso and Silvo. It kept them looking ok.

When she passed on I kept them,

Now 6 years have gone by and I've taken them out to put on display stands at last. They are heavily tarnished and black, the brass ones have got a black/brown tarnish.

A jeweller took one look at them ? and said he wouldn't get be able to get them clean.

I have cleaned them with jewellery cleaner, toothpaste, even left them for a couple of days in coco cola. Now I'm down to using vinegar and bicarb solution. Nope, I cannot get the last of the tarnish/black-brown whatever off that has built up on them over the years.

I'd really like to get the medals looking reasonably good again. Has anyone got thoughts on what other things I can try? ?

TwinLolly Tue 11-Jan-22 20:40:24

Marmite32 A professional jeweller should be able to tell you what metal they are made of.

As for mounting, I'm not sure.

I've bought little triangular stands, off the internet to stand dad's medals on.

As for cleaning - see if a jeweller can clean them, or use the methods as mentioned in the various comments above.

PinkCosmos Fri 14-Jan-22 10:25:28

Farmor15

Baking soda and bicarbonate of soda are the same. Baking powder is different.

I never knew that