I hope that isn't the wrong site for my question? if it is please let me know where to place it? here goes, how do I stop that white fuzzy powder that is eating my ZINK badges up? and what is it, where does it come from? thanks in advance.
I hope that isn't the wrong site for my question? if it is please let me know where to place it? here goes, how do I stop that white fuzzy powder that is eating my ZINK badges up? and what is it, where does it come from? thanks in advance.
if the two pictures of the WW1 WOUND BADGE are a be fore & after, WOW! what a difference! and what did you use for a media to scrub it?
They are your to do with as you may, but removing original finishes, plating etc. This does nothing but make them shiny and reduces the value both historical and monetary. Your tank badge wasn't issued in base metal but coated in a bronze or silver wash denoting service issue, some bronze if left around the hinge. I like my wound badges with some flavour.
I agree whole heartedly that cleaning aggressively to the point where not only is the patina removed but the original finish too is to my mind nothing less than vandalism.
The aim should be preservation and not just to make it shiny. Such cleaning is destructive and is not the action of a true collector of historical artifacts and is irresponsible.
We go over this debate time and again yet still it comes up. Yes sometimes it is neccessary to clean ,typically when you acquire a new piece and it is covered in filth which might actually be harmful to the item itself if not removed but also to other items in your collection. When an item is new to you there is no telling with what it might be contaminated.
In this scenario an item should be gently cleaned using a method appropriate to the material. Let's stick with a metal badge. Use warm soapy water and a soft brush (eg paintbrush) to brush and rinse away any muck but not patina. Make sure you only use soap and no harsh chemicals or abrasives (certainly not metal polish!!) then ensure it is fully air dried. A warm airflow (not hot) from a hair dryer is good then store in a dry shaded place.
From the pictures above I did not perceive that the tombak Wurster had been polished, I'll blame monitor resolution, but it would be obvious in hand. Such treatment reduces a 500 - 600 Euro item to a 100 -downwards item depending on degree. The cleaned wound badge looks to have no finish remaining and is to me virtually worthless. I am so weary of repeating this but just don't do it. There are many threads here on the subject and any serious and even slightly knowledgeable collector will say the same. If shiny is all that matters just be happy with replicas and leave the real stuff alone.
Sorry if this sounds harsh or arrogant but it breaks my heart.
Regards
Mark
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing he cares more about than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature with no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
Well, no this thread is not the right place but I think a moderator will likely move it. However, from the description this sounds like zinkpest and it is often discussed here.
It can be described I suppose as a kind of rot and unlike oxidation which is due to storage conditions there is no cure for zinkpest no matter what anyone tells you.
You can remove the most obvious "fur" to make it look less awful but once it is manifest you can not stop it even if you manage to make it look better and there is no way to reverse it or restore the damage.
The problem with zinkpest is that it occurs as a result of internal reaction in the make up of the material due to impurities. Zinc (English spelling) is a prolific element from which the zinc metal is smelted and modern zinc is far more pure than the zinc used in TR badges so zinkpest is much less of an issue. Sadly it is fairly common in zink TR badges and is basically the breakdown of the material caused by it's own impurities and not by external influence as with corrosion by oxidisation.
Just learn the difference between zinkpest and normal oxidisation.
A general rule for me is if zinkpest is present don't buy it.
Sorry.
Regards
Mark
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing he cares more about than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature with no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
Many have a cleaned clothing in the collection. Keep on living with you being the best
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing he cares more about than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature with no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
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