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    #16
    I agree with Bob (bobcam1) that dirt (not patina) is undesirable on a medal. I'd think most self-respecting vets would keep their medals clean in some way or another.

    I also think, as Bob Hritz mentioned in his friend's enamel example, that an old microfractured finish of a type that doesn't fully adhere to the undersurface could potentially be ultrasounded right off.

    But rather than generalize and having to err way on the side of caution, it would be nice to identify what specific finishes are safe vs. at risk. I've seen a posting of an EK that was thoroughly cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner with the black paint remaining fully intact. I'm not saying one can forge ahead with impunity, but I think it depends upon whether or not there is already corrosion under the surface that causes bubbling or separation making it at risk in the ultrasonic cleaner.

    I don't know what would happen to the grainy paste-like finish of fire gilding on tombak for example, and rather than try it myself, I was hoping some brave, reckless soul had already plunged ahead to allow us to benefit from his experience!

    Also it would depend on how one uses it, e.g. plain water with no soap for 2 minutes vs. a drop of detergent and longer duration.

    Best regards,
    ---Norm
    Last edited by Norm F; 08-24-2010, 12:39 PM.

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      #17
      your absolutley right Norm,,,
      I think tombac would do just fine,,,I would hesitate putting one of my EK's
      in,,but hey,,,,,
      gimme enough Jagermeister and who knows! maybe I'll zap a KC!

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        #18
        Originally posted by Niblet View Post
        your absolutley right Norm,,,
        I think tombac would do just fine,,,I would hesitate putting one of my EK's
        in,,but hey,,,,,
        gimme enough Jagermeister and who knows! maybe I'll zap a KC!
        I'll pay for the Jagermeister if it's all in the name of science!

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          #19
          Just an update:

          I've tried the ultrasonic cleaning kit on a piece of insignia that was already quite worn off. What was interesting was that the insignia was polished to a shine and the swastika had a partial remainer of enamelling left. the brass prongs were also resoldered.

          So technically speaking, we have a zinc base, a brass prong, some enamel, and post war solder. The zinc on the reverse has a fair amout of zinc pest and someone's name was written on it with a felt tip marker pen. The front surface of the insignia was polished to a very very bright and clean shine.

          As you can imagine the insignia was already quite well worn off and I wanted to somehow restore it to a point where I could perhaps get rid of the zinc pest at the very least.

          I used lukewarm water for the ultrasonic cleaning and added 10 drops of the cleaning lotion that it came with. The water more than covered the whole item, but as the cleaning basket was fairly large, the 10 drops quickly diluted the overall effect. Likewise, if you have a small basket, then the 10 drops would have a more concentrated effect.

          I turned on the ultrasonic machine and went for a 480 seconds setting which was actually the maximum. I came back, looked at the insignia and wiped it dry. Gosh all the zinc pest was gone. But so did all the black enamelling on the swastika. EVen the person's name on the reverse was also cleaned away. What was more astounding was that the polished shine was wiped off, and the effect was more of a patinated or aged finish, actually rather quite nice and fitting for this piece.

          To sum up, i'm actually quite glad that the zinc pest is gone. The enamelling is gone, but it had to, as it was only partially intact. The name on the reverse is also gone. I think I am on the whole, rather happy with the result.

          My advice is, if that piece has enamelling or paint, do not use the ultrasonic method. So no iron crosses, no DKIGs please. But if it is a solid piece, such as a Heer Visor Insignia, by all means, do try this out. But I shall not be responsible in anyway as like what Norm F says, it all depends on the machine, the concentration, the duration and the material itself.

          Not for the faint hearted!

          Mil

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            #20
            I put a semi-nasty rusty Imperial EK I in mine as an experiment for about a minute, it did remove the rust but also parts of the black paint.

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              #21
              We have an industrial cleaner for our racing transmissions. Closely controlled, Blooming things red hot. Collectables in it? Maybe, if was dunked like a tea bag!
              I allways rinse with water and then quick Safetykleen solvent and rinse again. Something painted? uumm maybe again but I,d probably spray it after with wd40 like I do on the gearcases.

              Eric

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                #22
                Indeed ultrasonic cleaning will remove the surface paint and enamel, as I found from my little "test".
                Ultrasonic cleaning works best for solid medals i guess, and does remove zinc pest to an extent.

                Mil

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