Personalized eagle flag trophies have grown popular as a military gift award. They display two of the most symbolic images of patriotism in a dramatic fashion that is very appealing. The poses are almost cinematic and make for a treasured showpiece for veterans, law enforcement, firemen, and others.
However, because they are so often left on display, they tend to easily get dirty due to exposure. This can tarnish their image, making it important to have a regular cleaning schedule that will ensure your personalized eagle flag trophy remains worthy of showcasing for as long as possible.
These trophies are typically made using resin and coated with a metal like gold, silver, bronze, copper, or brass. The coating could be dusted or electroplated. Its base can also be made of different materials including wood and marble. The base is also where an engraved metal plate is likely to be attached.
Cleaning
For basic cleaning of such awards, you need to be gentle with the coating. Rinsing it in plain water or add in a little liquid soap. Thereafter you should dry it completely with a soft dry cloth. Avoid the use of any abrasive washing product as it can cause tiny scratches that will tarnish the trophy. Copper awards are tougher and can be cleaned with normal detergent. Resin and plastic parts can also be effectively cleaned using just plain water or detergent washing. Be sure to dry the surface immediately afterward with a soft dry cloth.
For a deeper clean of gold and silver plated awards, give them a baking soda bath. Sit the trophy in a bucket lined with aluminum foil. Cover it in boiling water and add baking soda. Leave it till the water cools and then remove and dry the trophy entirely. Do not do this if the base is made of wood.
The Base
When cleaning a wood base, simply use a soft clean cloth to remove dirt then use wood polish to restore sheen. Marble bases can also be delicate so use either plain water or detergent washing to keep them clean. It should not be difficult to remove dust or dirt stains from their surface.
If you want to limit how often you will need to clean your personalized eagle flag trophy, you may want to invest in a display case. Preferably one that allows you and others to view the trophy from all sides. These cases provide an enclosed and controlled environment where dust and temperature changes are unlikely to get to the surface. You just need to keep the exterior of the case clean.