Replating Charity Hospital Badge - Suggestions Please!

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Author	Replies: 7 / Views: 833
HondoB Bedrock of the Community United States 25004 Posts	Posted 08/17/2023 7:20 pm I acquired this rather rough 1940's employee's badge from Charity Hospital in New Orleans. Why? My father interned there in the early '60s, and my older sister and brother were born there (may they all rest in peace). I would have been born there also except my mother took a train to visit her parents and I arrived a month early. (Younger sis says mom found me at the train station, but let's not go there now) The badge appears to be made of copper that was nickel plated, although it's in very rough condition now. I soaked it in acetone for 24 hours and subjected to a 3 minute vinegar bath. I would like to silver plate it. I have various containers of silver compounds (silver nitrate, silver chloride, etc.) and and a couple of Lionel train transformers. Will these be sufficient to plate this badge to a nice silver tone? Or Should I send it off for professional treatment? By the way I'm in on it for less than $10 so far. Many thanks for your input and suggestions! Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures Report this Post to the Staff

commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12257 Posts	Posted 08/17/2023 8:15 pm I'm no expert, but I've been told in the past that to get a good plating the surfaces to be plated need to be clean, dry, smooth and even. From what I can see from the image provided, your badge's surfaces do not appear to be smooth and even. Some surface prep works appears to be in order. I spoke with my nephew about your question - he's very experienced working with metal - and he wants to take a look at it. I will provide his thoughts tomorrow (Friday). Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff
HondoB Bedrock of the Community United States 25004 Posts	Posted 08/17/2023 8:26 pm Thank you, commems! Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures Report this Post to the Staff
Spence Moderator United States 34397 Posts	Posted 08/17/2023 9:32 pm Very interested in seeing your nephew's recommendations @comm! "If you climb a good tree, you get a push." -----Ghanaian proverb "The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed." -----King Adz Report this Post to the Staff
commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12257 Posts	Posted 08/22/2023 10:40 am OK, I've heard back from my nephew. He agrees that the badge's surfaces need to be cleaned and prepared for a successful plating. It might be more than you are looking for, but here is how he would approach things: 1. Submerse the badge in lacquer thinner (not mineral oils) and let soak to remove remnants of coating materials. The soak duration to be determined by how long it takes to see remnants begin to bubble and loosen. 2. Clean with soapy water. Dry. 3. Use a Dremel-type tool with wire brush to remove any remaining remnants. 4. Wet sand wirh fine grit metal sandpaper (NOT sandpaper used on wood!!!) A grit of at least 1000 is recommended - finer would also be OK. Sand only in straight lines - DO NOT use swirling mtion. (Available at most auto parts stores.) 5. Clean with soapy water. Let dry thoroughly. 6. Plate as planned. I've seen some of his work - he does a nice job! Good luck! Let us know how you decide to proceed / how things turn out! Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff
HondoB Bedrock of the Community United States 25004 Posts	Posted 08/24/2023 4:42 pm commems, thank you so very much for this advice! I'm going to give it another acetone soak. Afterwards will be a longer vinegar soak, as there seems to be some calcium carbonate crusts on both sides (it was found in New Orleans, but the seller didn't specify if it had been dug or not). Next will come the dremel, but with a buffing wheel first to be conservative. I'm not in a hurry with this badge, and may eventually decide to send it off for professional treatment. I'll keep everyone apprised of my progress and decisions. And thank you again, commems, for taking the time to communicate with your nephew and then relay his advice to me. Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 187702 Posts	Posted 08/24/2023 4:56 pm Good luck! Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
commems CCF Master Historian of USA Commemoratives United States 12257 Posts	Posted 08/26/2023 10:21 am @Hondo Boguss: I look forward to seeing your results! Collecting history one coin or medal at a time! (c) commems. All rights reserved. Report this Post to the Staff
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