Hello i am a new member, I started collecting 1939 iron cross 2nd class in April what i would like to know from you experienced members is should i clean my crosses or leave them as they are ,some are minty and some have plenty of patina on them thanks john
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Many will tell you, "Leave them alone!".
The choice is yours completely.
Ralph. -
Generally ... you will hear ...--> do not clean .
How ever intervene only to stop 'further deterioration' of the award - like zinc-pest or waxy green copper oxide build up .
Preserving is different from cleaning .
DouglasComment
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Welcome to the forum. I agree with Douglas. I do not clean any of my collectables unless not cleaning them will cause more harm than good. -GerOriginally posted by Douglas 5 View PostComment
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It's whatever suits you!
If you like things "clean" & believe 'shiny' things should be 'shiny'
then by all means clean them to suit your liking.
If you are buying "it" this month to sell next month then don't bother
but, if you are buying "it" because "it" appeals to you & you believe
it would look nicer if it were 'cleaned' then go right ahead & clean it!
It's that or don't ever buy any that are dirty or coated over with 'age'.
Ron.Comment
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Thanks everyone for your input i guess i will leave well alone john.Comment
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I think that it is different dirty than patinated (dirt is to be cleaned, patina is to be maintained).
And it is different to clean dirt (with an ultrasonic device, for example...if professionally done it would be ok) than to polish (with mechanical procedures, something to avoid).
And it is different to conservate (to stop a deteriorating process) than to restaure (to repaint, definitely something to keep away) or to repair (it is difficult and it doesn't add value if professionally done, but if not done correctly it detracts value).Comment
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