Cleaning Ribbons

Mozzabloke · 08-12-2002, 12:25 PM

Has anyone found an effective way to remove stains from ribbons without damaging them?

Thanks in advance

Mozzabloke

***Tal Inbar*** · 08-12-2002, 12:44 PM

Hi,

Please look at this thread:

http://soviet-awards.addr.com/forum/...ighlight=clean

Also note, that most collectors will not clean or change ribbons.

Tal

Mozzabloke · 08-12-2002, 01:19 PM

Thanks Tal,
After reading the thread I have decided to try and clean the ribbon only in soapy water to try and get the worst of the stain out (gently). I think that is as far as I would be prepared to go witth any medal. I would definately never touch the metal.

Thanks again for the speedy reply

Mozzabloke

***Nota Bene*** · 08-12-2002, 01:20 PM

Mozzabloke,

Welcome to the Forum! You are our 100th member!

If you would like to have a better looking, but still used ribbon with your award it might be a good idea to find a dealer, who can supply a used ribbon.

Alexei

***Art*** · 08-12-2002, 06:26 PM

Mozzabloke,

I hope you read this before you try it...DON'T DO IT. Some of these colors will bleed together horribly if you attempt to do what you described. I tried it and the darker colored bled into the lighter color. It was a total mess. If it really bothers you, buy yourself a replacement. It will look better. Or maybe try drycleaning

I wonder if that woolite stuff will work?

Art

Quote:

Originally posted by Mozzabloke
Thanks Tal,
After reading the thread I have decided to try and clean the ribbon only in soapy water to try and get the worst of the stain out (gently). I think that is as far as I would be prepared to go witth any medal. I would definately never touch the metal.

Thanks again for the speedy reply

Mozzabloke

***Nota Bene*** · 08-12-2002, 06:44 PM

Mozzabloke,

Also if you have an old and rusty suspension you might even end up with more rust stains.

Alexei

Ed_Haynes · 08-12-2002, 06:54 PM

Unless the ribbons are in tatters, my advice would be to leave them alone. Rather than clean them -- which, as you have been advised, can produce a terrible mess -- you COULD replace them. But, no matter how grubby, some (many, me among them) prefer a ribbon that shows the medal was worn and cherished (and how it was worn and cherished). For my money, you lose a lot of the history, a lot of the soul, by having a squeaky sparkly ribbon on a nicely wizzened medal.

Only on such issues have I ever been accused of being a conservative!

Ed Haynes

***Art*** · 08-12-2002, 07:03 PM

Right Ed! the grubbiness may be battlefield grubbiness and part of the reason why it was awarded in the first place..

Mozzabloke · 08-12-2002, 07:06 PM

Okay you all talked me out of it!

Im leaving it alone!

Cheers for the advice

MozzaBloke

Ed_Haynes · 08-12-2002, 07:08 PM

How I wish there were a forum like this to tell me what not to do on things like ribbon replacement/cleaning, all those ages ago, when I first started collecting medals. In the my novice days (way back when Moses had zits [I'm OMSA #1299]), I made some bad, bad mistakes, and many of them had to do with replacing or trying to "clean" ribbons. How I wish someone had cautioned me not to do so and LEAVE THEM ALONE!

Ed Haynes

08-12-2002, 12:44 PM	#2
*Tal Inbar* Marshal CCCP Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Israel Age: 39 Posts: 5,042	Hi, Please look at this thread: http://soviet-awards.addr.com/forum/...ighlight=clean Also note, that most collectors will not clean or change ribbons. Tal __________________ Under the banner of Marxism-Leninism, under the leadership of the Communist Party--forward to new victories in the construction of communism!

08-12-2002, 01:19 PM	#3
Mozzabloke Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Sheffield, England Age: 33 Posts: 262	Im gonna have a go Thanks Tal, After reading the thread I have decided to try and clean the ribbon only in soapy water to try and get the worst of the stain out (gently). I think that is as far as I would be prepared to go witth any medal. I would definately never touch the metal. Thanks again for the speedy reply Mozzabloke

08-12-2002, 06:54 PM	#7
Ed_Haynes Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Earth, USA, SC Posts: 238	I'm a purist . . . Unless the ribbons are in tatters, my advice would be to leave them alone. Rather than clean them -- which, as you have been advised, can produce a terrible mess -- you COULD replace them. But, no matter how grubby, some (many, me among them) prefer a ribbon that shows the medal was worn and cherished (and how it was worn and cherished). For my money, you lose a lot of the history, a lot of the soul, by having a squeaky sparkly ribbon on a nicely wizzened medal. Only on such issues have I ever been accused of being a conservative! Ed Haynes

08-12-2002, 07:03 PM	#8
*Art* Generalissimus Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Buffalo NY Posts: 3,055	Right Ed! the grubbiness may be battlefield grubbiness and part of the reason why it was awarded in the first place.. __________________ Visit the main site to the forum: The Soviet Military Awards Page Want to sell awards on the forum? Please read the FAQ Important Links: Forum announcements and rules \| Image posting FAQ

08-12-2002, 07:08 PM	#10
Ed_Haynes Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Earth, USA, SC Posts: 238	Nostalgia & regrets How I wish there were a forum like this to tell me what not to do on things like ribbon replacement/cleaning, all those ages ago, when I first started collecting medals. In the my novice days (way back when Moses had zits [I'm OMSA #1299]), I made some bad, bad mistakes, and many of them had to do with replacing or trying to "clean" ribbons. How I wish someone had cautioned me not to do so and LEAVE THEM ALONE! Ed Haynes

08-12-2002, 12:25 PM	#1
Mozzabloke Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Sheffield, England Age: 33 Posts: 262	Cleaning Ribbons Has anyone found an effective way to remove stains from ribbons without damaging them? Thanks in advance Mozzabloke

08-12-2002, 01:20 PM	#4
*Nota Bene* Super Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: New York USA Posts: 7,174	Mozzabloke, Welcome to the Forum! You are our 100th member! If you would like to have a better looking, but still used ribbon with your award it might be a good idea to find a dealer, who can supply a used ribbon. Alexei

08-12-2002, 06:44 PM	#6
*Nota Bene* Super Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: New York USA Posts: 7,174	Mozzabloke, Also if you have an old and rusty suspension you might even end up with more rust stains. Alexei

08-12-2002, 07:06 PM	#9
Mozzabloke Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Sheffield, England Age: 33 Posts: 262	Okay you all talked me out of it! Im leaving it alone! Cheers for the advice MozzaBloke

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