Anyone Know How To Clean ENAMEL BADGES?

[GrestytheLion]

What the best method is to clean enamel badges. Soap and water won't cut it.

I've bought a set, and taken what I want, there are some that look like they have rust, others recent additions that look stained through poor storage. The rust I will bin, but does anyone know the best methods for cleaning the stained?

[bee007]

GrestytheLion wrote:

What the best method is to clean enamel badges. Soap and water won't cut it. I've bought a set, and taken what I want, there are some that look like they have rust, others recent additions that look stained through poor storage. The rust I will bin, but does anyone know the best methods for cleaning the stained?

Littlewiggy is probably the man with the best answers.

[Alf Tupper]

I've always used lemon juice. I sqeeze half a lemon into a small dish and put the badge in either face down or face up depending which side is stained. I only leave it in the juice for 2-3 minutes and then use a toothbrush to gently remove any stain that may be left. I then rinse the badge extremely well with water and dry it with a tissue.

I have done this many times over the years and have never had any long term adverse effects. It is important to rinse the badge well. I suggest you try it on a cheap badge of little value first.

It works for me, but I cannot be held reponsible for any damage.

[littlewiggy]

Damp cloth & a little toothpaste. Trust me, the results are spectacular, Andrew. Here's one I did a while back ...





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NEWPORT COUNTY & GENERAL FOOTY BADGES:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/newport-county-badges/albums

[GrestytheLion]

Thanks Alf & Liam, both sound like great solutions.

This is something I thought I would never post on a forum, any type of toothpaste or is there one you recommend? I have Minty Fresh here, tried a couple, some came through, others need more time.

[littlewiggy]

Any standard toothpaste is fine buddy, it contains a small bleaching agent which won't damage the badge, but will just lift off all the grime.

For badges that have a lot of ridges, I use a child's toothbrush (much softer bristles than an adult brush) with a tiny dab of toothpaste, just brush softly and this gets into all the tiny nooks & crannies & brings them up a treat. I've restored many a neglected, tired looking badge using this method. (see pics below of before & after)

Toothpaste is great for all kinds of things. I also use it to clean silver (medals, coins etc), and even to keep the outer soles of my trainers clean. Brings them up like new every time.








_________________
NEWPORT COUNTY & GENERAL FOOTY BADGES:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/newport-county-badges/albums

[littlewiggy]

PS. Alf is spot on, it's important you rinse & dry the badge thoroughly afterwards.

I rinse mine under the tap, dry it with a soft old t-shirt, then leave it propped up on it's side against something in a warm, dry place for an hour or three, just to make sure it's completely dry & free of moisture before storing it.

Just a little TLC is all these "sorry" looking badges need. The beauty is that you can pick them up cheap as chips too, because only a complete lunatic like me would think about cleaning them with the trusty Colgate. Usually, no other sod wants them because they assume they're wrecked.

(Damn! I've probably already said too much!!)
_________________
NEWPORT COUNTY & GENERAL FOOTY BADGES:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/newport-county-badges/albums

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

littlewiggy wrote:

PS. Alf is spot on, it's important you rinse & dry the badge thoroughly afterwards. I rinse mine under the tap, dry it with a soft old t-shirt, then leave it propped up on it's side against something in a warm, dry place for an hour or three, just to make sure it's completely dry & free of moisture before storing it. Just a little TLC is all these "sorry" looking badges need. The beauty is that you can pick them up cheap as chips too, because only a complete lunatic like me would think about cleaning them with the trusty Colgate. Usually, no other sod wants them because they assume they're wrecked. (Damn! I've probably already said too much!!)

Other toothpastes are available!

[littlewiggy]

Pete’s Picture Palace wrote:

littlewiggy wrote: PS. Alf is spot on, it's important you rinse & dry the badge thoroughly afterwards. I rinse mine under the tap, dry it with a soft old t-shirt, then leave it propped up on it's side against something in a warm, dry place for an hour or three, just to make sure it's completely dry & free of moisture before storing it. Just a little TLC is all these "sorry" looking badges need. The beauty is that you can pick them up cheap as chips too, because only a complete lunatic like me would think about cleaning them with the trusty Colgate. Usually, no other sod wants them because they assume they're wrecked. (Damn! I've probably already said too much!!) Other toothpastes are available!

lol
_________________
NEWPORT COUNTY & GENERAL FOOTY BADGES:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/newport-county-badges/albums