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Round Badge, clean or no clean?

Posts: 15 Threads: 2

Hey folks.

I just started a full cleaning of a WMP Gretsch round badge kit I purchased. I am polishing the hardware and wrap, and de-rusting internal hardware.

I've only worked on the 13" Tom so far and used Brasso on the badge and got it to a beautiful golden shine.

But... then I quickly realized that maybe the age on the badges is desirable.

Do you guys have any insight on this? I'd like the badges to all match on the rest of the kit for personal aesthetics, but If it will greatly affect the value by cleaning up the other badges on the kit I won't be doing that.

Is it a general rule to avoid cleaning up the round badges or should they be polished only to a certain degree, or is it fine to clean them up completely?

Thanks!

-Tom

Posted on 13 years ago
#1
Posts: 185 Threads: 18

I'm no expert but, unlike a cymbal, a round badge is a round badge, clean or not clean. I'd do whatever you want to them.

Jeff
Posted on 13 years ago
#2
Posts: 126 Threads: 40

Nothing classier then a roundbadge set all spiffed up for people to ogle over.

flowers2

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Posted on 13 years ago
#3
Posts: 6287 Threads: 375

Lots of folks dislike cleaning those badges as they may tend to "outshine" the rest of the outfit.

Kevin
Posted on 13 years ago
#4
Posts: 3972 Threads: 180

If I had a Roundbadge kit, the badges would gleam from all the licking I would do.

Posted on 13 years ago
#5
Posts: 126 Threads: 40

Well there you go Tom ! Over 7000 posts between them...and even the experts can't agree ! :)

Posted on 13 years ago
#6
Posts: 509 Threads: 42

Leave the badges alone! If the buyer wants to clean them, he always can, but he'll never be able to replace that patina of age. It'd be like polishing an Istanbul K. These were rewrapped, but I'd never think of ruining the badges! Don't do it..........

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Posted on 13 years ago
#7
Posts: 3972 Threads: 180

From Rusty Nutz

Well there you go Tom ! Over 7000 posts between them...and even the experts can't agree ! :)

Two points:

1) I'm no expert. I do make a good cup o' French Press, though.

2) We actually did agree. Neither one of us would use polish. I would lick them, however.

Posted on 13 years ago
#8
Posts: 812 Threads: 53

A while back I started a thread discussing my view that rust reflects a lack of maintenance, not patina and that removing it is a good thing. Many of you agreed, some did not. I sort of feel the same way regarding these badges. If this kit had been maintained since new TomBolton would not have to be concerned about whether or not to polish the badges. If a vintage drum is “restorable” is it wrong do the deferred maintenance and return it to as near to original condition as possible? Would a kit showing years of neglect be more valuable than one that had been kept cleaned and polished, i.e., maintained? As I said in my “rust/patina” post, I’m not advocating rewrapping vintage drums or replacing original parts with shiny new reproductions. I’m just saying in my opinion it’s OK to get the best out of what is there. If the badges polish up nicely, then I’d polish them.

(OK guys…fire at will!)

Gary G.
1963 Ludwig Gold Sparkle Hollywood Kit
Ludwig Collection: 10 Vintage Snare Drums, 4 Customized Vintage Snare Drums, 4 Vintage Foot Pedals, 1 Single Value Bugle
Posted on 13 years ago
#9
Posts: 6583 Threads: 644

The badges were never bright and shiny when new,they actually aged them with a factory patina.

"Always make sure your front bottom BD lugs clear the ground!"
Posted on 13 years ago
#10
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