Is there a way to save this medal? (LARGE images)

Leiana

Or is it doomed?




The value is purely sentimental (it was my grandmothers, my dad grew up in Washington county, etc.) and I am wondering if there is a way to make the green go away or at least halt its advance. 10 years living in a damp basement probably didn't help.

Thanks in advance!

-Amanda

tjkillian

I would first wash it throughly in acetone, dipping and swishing in several different baths. Be sure to do it in a WELL ventilated area.

Next, I would soak in in olive oil for three months and see if that helped.

Both procedures are benign.

robertpr

Acetone

WoodenJefferson

Do you have any idea what metal this is medal made from, plated base metal, solid etc. That might help the answers...some.

Leiana

<< <i>Do you have any idea what metal this is medal made from, plated base metal, solid etc. That might help the answers...some. >>



I have no idea. It's not silver or gold or copper. It might be brass.

I'll try acetone if I can.

-Amanda

291fifth

It is possible that the medal has a laquer coating, as made. The acetone will remove this coating (you may need to help it along with a soft brush.) Once the coating is gone some of the green may go with it. Once you have the surfaces as you want them, give the medal another coating of laquer, assuming it has one in the first place.

JRocco

<< <i>I would first wash it throughly in acetone, dipping and swishing in several different baths. Be sure to do it in a WELL ventilated area.

Next, I would soak in in olive oil for three months and see if that helped.

Both procedures are benign. >>



Hi Amanda,
I concur with this. Let me throw in my method for all its worth, or how I would do it.
Get one of those little glass jars of baby pudding---eat the baby pudding then clean out the glass jar really well. Fill it with about a quarter inch of pure acetone and put the medal in it face up for 24 hours with the top closed tightly. Swirl it a few times. After 24 hours I would open the jar and turn the medal tail side up and repeat for another 24 hours. Then remove the medal, discard the acetone (CAREFULLY) and either clean the jar really well OR buy another jar of baby pudding to eat and after thorough cleaning place a quarter inch of mineral oil in the jar with the medal face up for 2 months then tail up for 2 months then re-post pics and let us see how she looks.

Good luck and Nice Medal

Leiana

Thanks for the advice!

John, that idea sounds like a good one. I just wonder if it would fit in the baby jar. It's silver dollar sized.

How do I tell if it is laquered?

-Amanda