Summary for gold braid cleaning Discussion
Gold braid cleaning is the central issue in this thread: Nicky Hodgson asks how to clean very dirty, blackened gold braid on a 1920s fencing club cap. Sharon Field points to a U.S. Marine Corps dress-uniform care page that reportedly includes techniques for cleaning gold braid, and the editor notes that the link worked and that case sensitivity in the web address matters. Nicky says the page would not display on his computer, but he will keep trying. Goran Budija adds a broader reference, suggesting the 1910 *Scientific American Cyclopedia of Formulas* for information on metal colouring, electroplating, soldering, cleaning, and polishing. No one in the thread gives a step-by-step cleaning method, so the practical takeaway is to consult the cited uniform-care guidance and historical reference sources before attempting any treatment on the old braid.
Q. I have a cap from my father’s fencing club (1920’s) which is finished with gold braid. It has not been well-maintained, and the braid is very dirty – black mostly. I would like to know how to clean this gold braid. Perhaps someone who has been in the Services would know?
Thanks for any help
Nicky Hodgson
hobbyist – Barrie, Ontario, Canada
2004
A. Hi,
I was trying to locate similar info… and came across your letter. I found a us marine corps website which suggests various techniques for cleaning gold braid… it is in the dress uniform section of chapter 10: Care and Marking of Uniforms… check out the website: www.tecom.usmc.mil/mcub/library/MCUR/URCh10.htm ..hope this helps!
Sharon Field
– Jacksonville, Florida, USA
2004
A. Thank you very much, Sharon. Unfortunately, my computer refuses to display that page! but I will keep trying. I appreciate your help.
Nicky Hodgson
– Barrie, Ontario, Canada
2004
Ed. note: The address provided seems to work fine from here (on
8/10/04). Remember that in an internet address anything after the
‘com’ is case-sensitive.
A. You can find some useful informations on next web page: https://www.thelitterbox.org/librum/i-sacof/366.htm (Scientific American Cyclopedia of formulas,1910, Many informations on metal colouring, electroplating, soldering, cleaning, polishing…)
Goran Budija
– Cerovski vrh Croatia
2004