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    #1

    Tarnished Crosses

    Hello to all.
    I ran a search in this forum and didn't find the specific answer I was looking for, so I opted to pose the question here.

    I have an EKI & an EKII from WWI. The silvering around the edges of both crosses is rather heavily tarnished.

    Can I, should I, or dare I clean them?

    My gut reaction is to leave them alone. However, when I look at my WWII crosses and see their nice silver edges, I want them to appear at least similar.

    Yesterday, I also noticed a small speck of rust forming on the EKI.

    HELP!
    Tags: None
    #2
    Hello Larry,
    If your crosses are heavily tarnished, that is because the frames are made of silver. I am not sure why there would be any rust developing on them. It could be just that it has rested against something that has iron in it. I would not consider cleaning them.
    Here is an example of mine that has tarnished quite heavily.
    Ralph.
    Attached Files

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      #3
      Hi Ralph.
      Thanks for the post.
      In regards to the rust, I should have been clearer in my post. The speck of rust is on the iron core itself.
      The frames on both crosses still show a good shine beneath the tarnish and I was wondering if anyone had cleaned the tarnish from their items and whether it poses any danger to the item.


      Edit: My EKII is in a similar condition, but just a bit worse.
      Last edited by Larry Dickson; 02-24-2013, 12:15 PM.

      Comment

        #4
        Hi Larry,
        I am sure that some clean their items, but most will tell you to leave it the way it is. Tarnished silver is in no danger. Tarnish on silver does not penetrate, it is on the surface only. To avoid the rust on your core getting any worse, you must control the humidity in the enviroment that you keep it in.
        Hope this helps,
        Ralph.

        Comment

          #5
          Originally posted by rbminis View Post
          Hi Larry,
          I am sure that some clean their items, but most will tell you to leave it the way it is. Tarnished silver is in no danger. Tarnish on silver does not penetrate, it is on the surface only. To avoid the rust on your core getting any worse, you must control the humidity in the enviroment that you keep it in.
          Hope this helps,
          Ralph.
          Humidity here is usually not an issue as I live in the northern end of the Sonoran desert. Things usually dry out here. Still, we've had some wet weather here of late that could have contributed to this issue.

          Any suggestions on how to stop rust? I was leaning towards a bit of oil of some kind.

          Comment

            #6
            don't use oil

            use Renaissance Wax.

            Comment

              #7
              Originally posted by BROBS View Post
              don't use oil

              use Renaissance Wax.
              Roger that. The search is on for Renaissance Wax.

              *I have a LOT to learn*

              Comment

                #8
                I would agree with BROBS,
                Except maybe use a very little oil on a q-tip or something to try to clean the rust and make sure to wipe it off thoroughly after, before the RenWax.
                Ralph.

                Comment

                  #9
                  I have found that if you use a good amount of RenWax it will clean off excess rust etc..

                  then simply buff with a clean rag and it should be protected without actually "cleaning" the item per say.

                  as for buying it... the best place I've found is ebay. nowhere local carries it. a small jar will last you quite a while but it is decently expensive. of course if you are protecting expensive items with it, it's worth it.

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Hi Larry
                    The guys have already given you good advice regarding the 'rust' issue as combating the rust is part of the conservation, but when it comes to 'polishing' the frame to make it "shiney" just remember that the tarnish is also part of the cross's history .Personaly I never clean the tarnish from my EKs ,if it arrives ;polished then fine but if it arrives with a frame as black as the core then thats the way it stays.
                    But then I collect battered EKs

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Thanks guys.
                      I won't polish the cross, but I will address that rust speck.
                      If I had any computer skills, I'd post pictures of my meager collection.

                      BTW, I found the wax on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Renaissance-Wa.../dp/B003AJWN62

                      Comment

                        #12
                        HOLY COW!!!

                        I ordered and received the wax via Amazon last week.
                        After doing a bit more research, I decided to test it out on a copper challenge coin I was given yesterday. I was good with the results, no smudging, fingerprints, etc.
                        So...I decided to break out the EKI, and just for good measure, the WWI EKII.

                        First, I needed to address the rust speck. I used a 40X magnifier an went over the entire surface. Turns out, that was a good idea as I found a second, smaller speck forming. I used a sharpened toothpick to remove the rust an buff the area a bit. Using the same toothpick, I applied a dot of oil and allowed it to sit for a couple of hours.

                        Since crosses have a lot of nooks, crannies, details and the like, I chose to use a toothbrush for application. (The wife's gonna flip tomorrow morning)
                        I applied the Renwax sparingly but thoroughly. I let it sit for just a few minutes because I felt like it. I them rubbed the crosses down with an old tee shirt to remove any excess wax. I then used a shoe brush to buff them.

                        All I can say is the the results were outstanding. The details really pop out now. There's a nice dull sheen to them that looks great.
                        On the down side, the details are such that I think the EKI may have been repainted at some point. Oh well.

                        The spanges are drying as I type this post.

                        Thanks to all you good folks that recommended this product.

                        Larry

                        Comment

                          #13
                          No problems.. I was quite impressed with the wax as well.. it says you can use it on photos I'd like to try it on a junky one first though

                          Comment

                            #14
                            Originally posted by BROBS View Post
                            No problems.. I was quite impressed with the wax as well.. it says you can use it on photos I'd like to try it on a junky one first though
                            I have 2 photos that I'd love to protect. DAK with a shot down American P40. They have some manner of paper label on the back that's in German. One of the pictures has a Bedouin riding a white horse.

                            Comment

                              #15
                              Hi Larry,
                              Glad we could help. I also use it on my blades.
                              Ralph.

                              Comment

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