What cleaning product to use

[k9mike]

Hello. What are some prefered cleaning products to use on a badge made of tin? I dont want to clean it too much....I just want to get rid of the grime and also there is a couple of small patches of surface rust. I have heard about the mild soap and water with a toothbrush, but are there any products that may help with other issues? Thanks for any help/ideas.
Mike

[Paul R.]

K9mike Yes, it is up to you. You own it, but I would not touch it. Some cleaners can damage your item. It my not happen right away. It could happen down the road a bit. Old tin is like zinc it's very unpredictable. Why do you want to distory history by cleaning it?

[k9mike]

Thanks Paul for the input. Its not that I want to destroy it, its just that it has a couple of spots of rust on it, and I dont want to see it get worse. It doesnt look back in its condition now, but I am worried about the rust. I am getting some renwax and I figure I would try to clean up the rust abit and coat it with renwax.
Mike

[Tiger 1]

Mike,

With due respect and some caution.............

Your medal is certainly not tin from your description.

Maybe you should first properly identify the actual material you are planning to work on. That always helps in choosing a wise course of action if any.

Tony

[k9mike]

Mike,

With due respect and some caution.............

Your medal is certainly not tin from your description.

Maybe you should first properly identify the actual material you are planning to work on. That always helps in choosing a wise course of action if any.

Tony

Tony, it is a Vaulted metal Krim Shield. No MM that I can see. It appears to be tin...Do you know what the main metals were that were used on this award? It surely is not zinc, and it is magnetic...What do you think???

Thanks
Mike

[Tiger 1]

Mike,

Your two biggest clues are that it has some rust and is magnetic.

Tin doesn't rust, nor is it magnetic.

That would suggest it's made of........................ughhh