Coated Abrasives

AS Diggers get set for Anzac Day, experts are advising the best way to prepare their medals is to avoid using polish and steel wool.

Australian War Memorial head of conservation Barbara Reeve said yesterday that sometimes the extra care and attention Diggers gave to their decorations could cause corrosion and that metal polishes such as Brasso left a residue that could damage medals.

The owner of Hobart's Foxhole Medals James Grice agreed and said the best way to freshen up a worn medal was to have it re-ribboned.

"If there's nothing on them that will affect the medal then there's no real need to clean them," Mr Grice said. "We only recommend they clean medals if they are coated with something that will damage them further."

Mr Grice said medals were often damaged when they were worn.

"These days we suggest a mounting where the medals are stitched down," he said.

"It is a method the Defence Force recommends and prevents the medals banging against each other.

"Other than that, they should be handled with a lint-free cloth to prevent oil from the skin coming into contact with them.

"And they should be kept in a moisture-free environment."

State RSL chief executive Noeleen Lincoln said medals should be kept in cases.

Ms Reeve said when Anzac Day celebrations were over, medals should be wiped carefully with methylated spirits or acetone. She said they should then be stored between layers of cotton cloth.

Ms Reeve said medals should age gracefully.

"Would you put steel wool on your own face?

"No, because the detail is lost if an abrasive is used."

Ms Reeve said Diggers should pin their medals on the left side of their jackets while relatives should wear them on the right.