War Medals

"Psalm 34" Number of posts : 54431 Mood :

Have any of you had any experience in cleaning war medals? My Grandfather NEVER talked about his war experience. (It affected him deeply, and he spent years as an alcoholic after the war) And my Grandma would never discuss it, either. Even after he passed away. So, until my Grandma died a few years ago, none of us knew that my Grandfather had been highly decorated. My Dad, being the eldest son, inherited Grandpa's medals. (Which we didn't even know existed! Grandpa or Grandma had written in what each medal was, and what it was for, in the picture frame that held them) But the frame that they were in was broken, and a lot of dust has crept in over the years. I'm working on reframing them all on a velvet background for my Dad. But, I'm not quite sure how to go about cleaning the fabric holding the medals. Like, on the Bronze Star, there's a lot of dust right in the fabric. I'm googling to see what I can find - but if any of you have experience in the area, I'd appreciate your advice.

Subject: Re: War Medals Tue Jun 12, 2007 9:21 pm

Awww Savannah, I have no experience on cleaning war medals. You're doing such a great thing to honor your grandfather by restoring his medals. My heartfelt sympathy to your grandfather.

"Within the heart of every stray, lies the singular desire to be loved."

"Psalm 34" Number of posts : 54431 Mood :

Thank you, Lily.

I did some research, and checked a couple of sites of museums that deal with medals, etc. They had some wonderfully helpful information. One thing that they made very clear was NEVER to use water to clean the ribbons. They're made of silk, and the dyes aren't always colorfast. They suggested using a vacuum attachment, or dry cleaning it. (I prefer not to subject them to chemicals, so I'll use the vacuum attachment method) Af for the metals of the medals.......there was a lot of differing information there. But overwhelmingly, the sites cautioned against using brass polish, etc. They gave some very detailed methods for cleaning, and it looks a little time consuming - but if it will preserve them, it's worth it. And they also cautioned against mounting the medals on velvet. Apparently, the fabric has acidic dyes that can damage the medals over time.

I know.......more information than you all really were interested in. LOL!!

Subject: Re: War Medals Wed Jun 13, 2007 7:57 am

Savannah wrote:: Thank you, Lily.

I did some research, and checked a couple of sites of museums that deal with medals, etc. They had some wonderfully helpful information. One thing that they made very clear was NEVER to use water to clean the ribbons. They're made of silk, and the dyes aren't always colorfast. They suggested using a vacuum attachment, or dry cleaning it. (I prefer not to subject them to chemicals, so I'll use the vacuum attachment method) Af for the metals of the medals.......there was a lot of differing information there. But overwhelmingly, the sites cautioned against using brass polish, etc. They gave some very detailed methods for cleaning, and it looks a little time consuming - but if it will preserve them, it's worth it. And they also cautioned against mounting the medals on velvet. Apparently, the fabric has acidic dyes that can damage the medals over time.

I know.......more information than you all really were interested in. LOL!!

#1 You are doing a wonderful thing to honor your grandfather and your father.

#2 You might check into using a heavy paper like construction paper for the backdrop instead of the velvet.

#3 Try using a small toothbrush to brush the dust out of the ridges of the ribbon, my boys have won several band medals and that seems to work best for them.

#4 You need to sit straight in front of your keyboard so you do not get typos and the typo poilce after you...........Deputy Rob Fife will be here soon fumbling with his gun and one bullet in his pocket......... :haha:

I'm sorry about #4, I just couldn't resisit because you are SO cautious to spell check your work........ :Hahaha:

CANCER FREE!!! April 9, 1998-April 9, 2025-I AM A SURVIVOR!!!

"Psalm 34" Number of posts : 54431 Mood :

Oh thanks a lot, Rhonda. Now I have to watch out for Deputy Rob Fife!! :Hahaha: Who knew that my fingers have a speech impediment?

Thank you for the tips! I found a site that suggested using linen - and I have some beautiful old linen napkins from the WWII era. I'm hoping to use one of them as the background. I'll try to get a good picture of it when I'm finished.

*Walks out muttering about Rhonda hanging around Rob too long......*

Subject: Re: War Medals Wed Jun 13, 2007 2:01 pm

Savannah wrote:: Oh thanks a lot, Rhonda. Now I have to watch out for Deputy Rob Fife!! :Hahaha: Who knew that my fingers have a speech impediment?

*Walks out muttering about Rhonda hanging around Rob too long......*

OH MY SAVANNAH!!!!

CANCER FREE!!! April 9, 1998-April 9, 2025-I AM A SURVIVOR!!!

Subject: Re: War Medals Wed Jun 13, 2007 4:26 pm

:1053:

Rhonda wrote:: typo poilce

Subject: Re: War Medals Wed Jun 13, 2007 4:36 pm

Hush Fife.....you weren't supposed to see that................:Hahaha:

"Oh,My Darin' Barney Fife" (To the tune of Oh My Darlin' Clementine. First verse song by Barney, second verse by Andy when he walks in.....)

-----BARNEY'S VERSE----
In a jailhouse,down in Dixie,fightin' crime and riskin' life;
Dwelled a sheriff and his buddy,pistol packin' Barney Fife.
Oh my darin',Oh my darin',Oh my darin' Barney Fife;
He's a deadly crime-stopper,what a copper,Barney Fife.
One day there came a-ridin' two bad men to rob a bank,
But Fife was trickey,a dead-eye dickey;Now they're locked up in the tank.
......ANDY'S VERSE.........
Oh my Barney,Oh my Barney,had a jail and couldn't lock it;
Had one bullet for his pistol,had to keep it in his pocket!

CANCER FREE!!! April 9, 1998-April 9, 2025-I AM A SURVIVOR!!!

Subject: Re: War Medals Wed Jun 13, 2007 4:49 pm

Rhonda!

That's a great scene! I love the look on Barney's face when he hears Andy sing. Laughing

"Psalm 34" Number of posts : 54431 Mood :

:Hahaha: I love that scene!! I love it when Andy walks in behind Barney, while Barney is doing something so very silly. Especially when he's on the phone:

Cockadoodle-doooooooooooo.

:Hahaha: