Medals Lacquered

[Guest scott leader]

What's the best way to remove Lacquer from the whole medal, without causing halm or tarnish, don't want to do something I will regret!!

[Derek Robertson]

Scott,

Brake fluid will do the job, honest!!

Just leave the medal soaking overnight and the fluid will lift the lacquer.

[Guest scott leader]

Derek

Well I throught I would get the odd helpfull reply WD40, Stella ,!! no honestly will this do the job & leave the medal looking the same minus the laquer??

[Derek Robertson]

Yes.

I have used it and it lifts paint, grime etc without affecting the base metal.

[Guest EPPSY]

What's the best way to remove Lacquer from the whole medal, without causing halm or tarnish, don't want to do something I will regret!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Lacquer Thinners is the best for removing Lacquer. It only attacks the lacquer

Peter

[PhilB]

I`m sure there must have been a previous thread on this, but I can`t find one. Am I right in thinking that certain stars were issued lacquered? I`ve seen a few (not many) that were lacquered so well that I assumed they were done officially. I`d be loathe to de-lacquer such a medal, though I`d happily de-lacquer a home made job. Phil B

[DirtyDick]

Laquering was done to obviate the need for future cleaning, most often by recipients who wore them frequently after leaving the Service. I believe the South Africans - perhaps also Australians - gilded their WW2 British campaign stars so they did not develop a dull patina; hence why such groups remain new-looking.

Most collectors don't like laquering on a medal, since it is not "as was" and is thought to be a ****** to remove (apparently not, though).

Richard

[Guest PROCONSUL]

Acetone (nail polish remover) also works well. If the medal you are cleaning is of the swivelling suspender type just make sure you rinse the joint well in warm soapy water.

[Plan]

Some old lacquer, notably shellac, can be dissolved by plain alcohol (ethanol), like rubbing alcohol (no use wasting good whisky!). If it's the case, it will rub off very quickly (a few seconds).

This said, I've never tried it on medals, but I doubt it would affect metal.

Pascal

[kaisersoffensive]

Cellulose thinners is a suitable solvent for the removal of lacquer.

You can then remove any residual dirt or grease with mild detergent in warm water.

Dry and buff gently with clean lint free cloth.

Regards,

Bob

[Chris_Baker]

Going off track a bit but brake fluid must be good for cleaning weapons, too. I used to work for AP Lockheed, a well known braking systems business. We used to sell brake fluid - didn't make it but bought it and packaged it in Lockheed bottles. We had a contract to supply Iran. They bought so much they must have been drinking the stuff - until we discovered the army was using it as a rifle cleaner.