Help with New Pickelhaube

Before I would use anything on the Wappen, I would give a good cleaning with a mild soap and water and a soft tooth brush. It looks to me as some of the discoloration is from old polish that wasn't cleaned off. Once the piece is cleaned then use the weak acid like vinegar or lemon juice.
 
Okay so got brave and tried some initial cleanup.

Did the soapy water and soft toothbrush and it got rid of the obvious dirt. Then got a bt braver and tried some vinegar with a Q-Tip. Got excited when the verdigris seemed to be disappearing bit it came right back when it dried. Admittedly I didn't soak it in vinegar first - wasn't quite that brave.

As the vinegar without soaking didn't seem to remove patina I guess I can get very brave and try soaking the Wappen in vinegar for 20 minutes as suggested by SkipperJohn. Has anyone done this and what is the risk of patina coming off with a longer exposure to vinegar?

Thanks.

Peter
 
I enlarged the photo you posted showing the Wappen and I don't see the verdigris that you are talking about. If you can pool the vinegar on just the effected area and let it stand for about ten minutes that would probably be best. If the verdigris is thick and pasty use a toothpick to remove the large globs before you apply the vinegar. I have done the vinegar soak on spikes to remove verdigris from pearl rings and I have done it on visor trim and Wappens. I have not had a problem. I used vinegar on a chemically darkened piece once and it did lighten the material somewhat. I have used vinegar a lot on gilded pieces to limit the growth of zinc oxidation.
A post on that subject is seen here:

https://www.pickelhaubes.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=10598

I would suggest that you look in the restoration section of this forum and do a little research before you start to refurbish anything.

John :)
 
Thanks John. The verdigris is hard to see in the picture. Now that I have cleaned it and removed dust etc. it is more evident. Not at home right now but will post a picture later.

Peter
 
Here is a picture of the Wappen showing the verdigris.
 

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Any comments on the verdigris? Is that what it in fact is? Is this normal or dangerous to the metal?

Thanks.

Peter
 
Honestly I think it looks more like dried polish than verdigris.
You might try washing it off with dish soap and a soft (very soft) brush.

John :)
 
Tried that already using dish soap and a soft toothbrush. Guess I’ll have try try the vinegar soak next.
 
Try Easy Off oven cleaner, spray on, leave for a couple of minutes, wash off and repeat until you have the wappen cleaned to your liking. Works on Officer too. :)
 
Will that remove the patina? Just trying to get the verdigris off without making it shiny.

Thanks.

Peter
 
Did the vinegar trick and very happy with the results. Thanks for all the help.

Peter
 

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It certainly seems to have cleaned it up.
Didn't change the patina too much either.
It always worked for me.

John :)
 
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