Verdigris removal on medal help??

[Milton]

Hello folks. Last week, I picked up a nice WWI lot from a gentleman, which included a named purple heart to the Great War recipient. It sat amongst his other military effects, untouched for decades, and acquired a good amount of patina to the surface of the Geo. Washington profile. Is there any proven method to remove this w/o damaging the surface of the medal itself or the enamel which surrounds it? Many thanks in advance for any assistance w/ this inquiry.

[BrunoH]

Hi,
Try using lemon juice using a cotton swab for instance.
Regards

[Milton]

Interesting suggestion. Thanks. Anyone else have any "tried and true" methods? Thank you.

[Stu W]

If it's the standard green verdigris of the kind often found on edged weapons then I'd suggest looking for an edge and working it off with the end of a wooden toothpick. I've found that it often forms in layers and can be removed in small chips. I hasten to add though that my experience is limited to removal of verdigris on edged weapons and their accouterments.

Regards,
Stu

[BrunoH]

Interesting suggestion. Thanks. Anyone else have any "tried and true" methods? Thank you.

It's a tried and true method used by antique dealers. Lemon juice contains citric acid and is well known for getting rid of 'vert de gris'.

[Milton]

Thanks gents. Appreciate the suggestions!

[Don D.]

Hi,
Try using lemon juice using a cotton swab for instance.
Regards

Here is an example of what this technic can do.

[CWP]

Wow. What an improvement! Good to know.

[Milton]

Indeed! Does it need to "soak" at all, or is this a relatively instantaneous process? Thank you gents.

[BROBS]

I second that question...
but excellent tip!!

thanks,
Brian

[Don D.]

Soaked for 5 mins and then worked with a Q-tip.

[Kelly w]

Nice work. Powerful stuff, just like the old coke formula lol

[BROBS]

Any good way to bring back some 'patina' after this process?
Makes the item look very "new".

Thanks,
-Brian

[VonPeter]

Any good way to bring back some 'patina' after this process?
Makes the item look very "new".

Thanks,
-Brian

When i read your question I remembered this from an old thread.
But I am NOT saying you should do it (I wouldn't), I am just answering your question.

First time i tried this on a EK after doing it on other Silver objects. It's all over internet and very easy.

Boil 2 eggs, crush the yolks in a ziplock bag. Clean the frames with alcohol, it removes grease or fingerprints that will protect Silver from being Oxidized.

Put cross in bag and into the fridge. Check the cross after a couple of hours. Overnight was enough for this one. If you want a really black one you might need to change yolks after a day or 2.

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=596545

/peter

[rbminis]

When i read your question I remembered this from an old thread.
But I am NOT saying you should do it (I wouldn't), I am just answering your question.



http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=596545

/peter

If you don't have eggs, this works as well for adding patina.
Ralph.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liver_of_sulfur