Before & After. Why cleaning isn't always bad

[DavidM]

Hello

I recieved this EK2 the other day. At first I was unsure about it as it had been sold to me as a '16', but then didn't match up to any '16's. It turned out to be a perfectly good, original '76' marked EK.

The condition of it when it arrived was tarnished. Now I know a lot of collectors will scream in horror at this, but having made certain it is a genuine '76' I have given it a very gentle, mild clean. And boy am I glad I did.

First the 'before' photos, as posted to my earlier thread about this cross.

Regards
David

[DavidM]

Rear view 'before'

[DavidM]

And now the 'after' shots, and yes, this really is the same cross.

[DavidM]

Rear view 'after'

[Suber]

What may I ask did you use as the cleaner on this? I have a couple I would like to "clean" up as well. I used some silver cleaner but did not get great results like yours.

[Peter Wiking]

You was lucky on that one. That is a very good result

Peter

[Darrell]

This is rather amazing. I would think that the frosting and burnishing would have been gone based on the "dirty" photos.

It's really hard to believe this tarnished surface would occur if the cross still has frosting and silver plating.

Great job. LIke Marc says, you need tyo pass along the secret.

[DavidM]

Hello

I used a silver dip available in the UK called 'Goddards Silver Dip'. I must stress that cleaning these EKs has to be done extremely carefully, and isn't suitable to all of them, especially if they are quite worn and, or the paintwork isn't very good.

It had about 60 seconds in Goddards Silver dip, rinsed and then very carefully dried using a variable speed hairdryer to ensure all the moisture was removed. The rim only was then very carefully buffed with a Goddards long term silver cloth.

Where you can tell that the cross is in 'sleeper' condition, that is essentially untouched since the war, and the frosting is still intact under the tarnish, then you may get a result like this. And yes, I know a lot of people will say that you should never clean these EKs. At the end of the day it's personal choice.

Regards
David

[LuckyLuudje]

I'm normally not so happy with cleaning crosses.
But in this case I'm really impressed
Well done, it looks very nice

Luud

[Eric K.]

I dont think I would do this....but that cross sure does look great!!!
Since Im in the Army and a dirty award/medal is a No-Go, maybe it is'nt soooo bad to clean some of these to thier former glory???


Eric

[Steve Campbell]

And how many of the "mint" crosses that are sold and everybody ohhs and ahhs about have had this done without anyone knowing about it?

[Hank C.]

And how many of the "mint" crosses that are sold and everybody ohhs and ahhs about have had this done without anyone knowing about it?

I would guess not many, as I don't think most people would invest the time in it. I wouldn't, just to make a few extra $$$.

But I could be wrong...

Great looking cross!

Hank

[RICK S]

EK 2 mm 76

Hi David;
A true sleeper, Good choice on silver dip.

[Suber]

It looks phemomenal! Thank you for the ancient British secret!!

[Robert P.]

I bought a cross from a dealer years ago ( I won't say who, as much as I want to) after asking him to find me a mint EKI. I hadn't heard of the forum yet. Well, he sent me an early L/13 that was just as nice as the cross above. In a matter of a couple of months the cross rims started turning a dull gray. I called him and asked him what was going on with this cross, and he said "Just clean it again." I asked him with what? He said Tarn-X. You probably know who I'm talking about now. I hope this new cure-all doesn't do the same thing as the Tarn-X did to my cross.

Truly amazing what chemical dip will do. I hope it is totally neutralized by your water wash.

Robert