Belt Plate Question (Clean it up or not)

smokedaddy · Mar 26, 2008

Dug this belt plate a while back and thought I would get the opinion from the members. Should I try to clean up this thing or let it alone. Thanks Folks.

RUDY2003 · Mar 26, 2008

I wouldn't clean it at all.
Just frame it just like it is..

Keep safe...

JerV3 · Mar 26, 2008

Nice plate,

Did it turn up in Pa. I'd clean it up but I am confident in my skills. I'd run it through a tumbler. Probably bust some off that greeen off gently with a small hammer. When it is done tumbling I'd hand polish it with a metal polish. Or hit it with a dremel with a buffing tip.

Most people on here are going to tell you to leave it be. If you don't wanna ruin it put it in a peroxide bath. And take a tooth brush or tooth pic to it or both. Then polish it out. Unless you want it dark like that.

HH Jer

romeo-1 · Mar 26, 2008

Send it away for a pro restoration...

BuckleBoy · Mar 26, 2008

romeo-1 said:
Send it away for a pro restoration...

Exactly. Do NOT clean it with a brass brush! Do NOT clean it with brass polish! If you do, you'll have a shiny, worthless piece of junk afterwards. The value of these plates is not so high as to make a professional cleaning feasable. Have you tried a soak in water and a toothbrushing or gentle toothpicking? I soak and toothpick my buckles in order to get the crusties off yet leave the "dug" patina on. If you'd like an example, I can post one. Another thing--frequently CW plates are worth as much or more in DUG condition. And don't worry about the cleaning--at least the plate came up like that instead of THIS