So........... after lots of hummimg and ahing, I've decided to put new ribbons on Dads medals and give them a clean. Dad never bothered much with his medals and stuck them in a drawer for years, just been looking at them and they are decidedly grubby, and as you can see the ribbons are a sorry sight, look at the mistakes on the Africa star.
RemeDesertRat Please note when you replace the ribbon that you have the dark blue to the left as the ribbon is the wrong way round on your fathers medal. dark blue = Navy, Red = Army, light blue = RAF. Navy being the senior service. John.
Yeah, and two clasps on the ribbon, open ends of ribbon in the ring and stitched to medal, couldn't be more wrong if you tried! :smile:
Done a lot of research on this and have invested in an ultrasonic cleaner/ works well by all accounts, removes the grime and leaves the age old patina. Must clean the territorial efficiency medal, its going green :wow:
Olive oil? That's a new one... but I fear it won't work. Don't try, just dont try... to clean original ribbons. Water, dry cleaning, the washing machine.. will not work. The only replacment is a new ribbon. Sadly, the original silk ribbons are hard and expensive to get - unlessyou are happy to accept modern polyester ones. Medals are meant to be cleaned for parade so have no fear. Tis only dealers/collectors (and I do do the latter) who fret over 'original ribbons'.
Whilst all had gone over to 'staybright' the Guards still had (still do) plenty of brass - right down to the brass and copper rivets on buff leather bayonet frog - polished with the end (tip) of a tipped cigarette or two - one to apply the 'Bluebell/Brasso' and another to apply the shine. The build up of polish on brass in the nooks and crannies would turn a mild mannered (!) Drill bloke into a red faced quivering threat - we would using a soft brush and or sponge using a water detergent solution to loosen and remove this, dry afterwards.
