Just got this from Eric on the e-stand. Pretty nice zincer, can I get some more opinions as to the manufacturer? What do you guys think? I don't know if he posted it for approval or not.
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Pic2 -
Perhaps a dumb newbie Q, but do you guys ever "clean" the badges when you buy them? As in a touch of oil lightly applied with a toothbrush? I read someone mentiion that he uses "Old West SnakeOil", which is made here in CO.
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Be very careful with any cleaning, and I'd recommend not to if it doesn't need it. If you have to, how about a very soft tooth brush with warm a mild soap/warm water. Check out the conservation chapter as well.Comment
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Thanks George!!Comment
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These pictures are terrible. Is that the camera flash that made the badge appear electric blue? Despite the pictures, I would venture to say that this is an original late-war badge, most likely made by Friedrich Linden. Personally, I have no problem with using oil and a soft toothbrush on this type of badge. You can actually spray it down with WD-40 and let the oil soak in. The oil will not harm the zinc nor the finish, in my opinion.
Best regards,
TomMihi libertas necessest!Comment
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Yea, those pix do stink. I'm no professional, so it's always a gamble with me.
How's this one?Comment
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Looks good.
Mihi libertas necessest!Comment
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Thanks for your time Ty!
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You WILL lose some of the silver finish on the wreath if you scrub it with a toothbrush, so be careful. The dark portions of the wreath are where the silver plated finish is already worn away so you aren't going to improve anything by trying to "polish" it.Comment
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don't clean the badge, you will lose glit and do more damage than good. a little dirt gives it history and depth. start using soap and water may open a new door to rust. this is only my opinion good luck, curtComment
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The badge is a nice zinc original.
From your new picture, I don't think the badge needs any cleaning at all. The eagle looks fine and the gray areas on the wreath are where the finish is worn off and no cleaning will bring it back. Best to leave it alone and enjoy it as is.
AlanComment
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Thanks, pal. I am in the process of "treating" it. I saw in the conservation forum that one of the members uses a loose combo of light dish-soap, ammonia and warm water, soft toothbrush, on his badges. He claimed it seemed to bring out the color a little bit, especially on the zincers. So far I have to agree. I think the silvering does stand out a bit better after a wash in this solution. Right now the badge is coated in vaseline overnight as another member does to stop zincpest.
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Ro/ag
Looks Original to me!
, Butch
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coated in vaseline...
After you clean that vaseline mess off, the best thing to treat any badge with is Renaissance Wax. Do a search on it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_WaxComment
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