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HELP! Help with cleaning pin

HELP! Help with cleaning pin
curiouslittleoyster

curiouslittleoyster

DPF Charter Member
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Hi! I received this pin in the mail today from *bay. When I placed my bid, I wasn’t paying close attention to the picture and assumed it was just dirt or house debris that I could easily clean off since it was listed as new condition. I’ve had a hard time removing this residue. Any ideas what it is and how to remove it? Also, was disappointed to see the condition of the pin underneath doesn’t look great. Would love any tips on how to clean this pin up or if I should just throw it out.

Here’s the photo from the listing:

6b0ca62a3cf46ab1327d322c3ea1af91.jpg


And here’s what it looked like in person when I got it:
c432328c18a650307b006a64d48785f8.jpg

And how it looks now after I’ve tried to clean it (used cotton q tips dipped in alcohol and soft cloth):
be7625c6100714f465c684820feebe57.jpg


Or is there anything anyone recommends to seal it to prevent it from getting gross again? It’s isolated from the rest of my pins and I’ve placed it in a sealed clear bag in the meantime. I’ve never tried to clean a pin like this before.

Thanks so much! 🙂


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ViciousLady said:
I'd try slightly warm water with some very gentle dish soap and a soft bristled toothbrush to gently work the oxidation off, and...it mostly looked like tarnish so I'd try and keep it dry. If I had to guess it was exposed to moisture to reach that level of almost corrosion.
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Thank you so much! I’ll try that!


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Shelterkat said:
Wow I can't believe the seller sent that 😵
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I was shocked when I received it but blame myself for not paying closer attention to the photo and asking questions before bidding on it just because it was listed as new. Hoping it will be salvageable. If not, lesson learned.


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curiouslittleoyster said:
I was shocked when I received it but blame myself for not paying closer attention to the photo and asking questions before bidding on it just because it was listed as new. Hoping it will be salvageable. If not, lesson learned.


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Hi Rae!!! So glad to see you on here again 🙂 Have you reached out to the seller to express your dissatisfaction? If they listed it as “new” and the pictures weren’t great quality, it means they misrepresented the pin.

I’ve had to reach out to sellers plenty of times in the past. And you know what, an honest seller will accept the return.

That’s why when I trade/sell I always list out all the flaws. It lessens your chances of actually making the trade/sale but it also lessens the chances of a dissatisfied customer.

You’re such a sweet person and I’d hate for you to have to bite the bullet for something you didn’t intend.
 
ViciousLady said:
I'd honestly report it on the feedback that the item was not new as listed, and those pictures are deceiving, it could be a shine of light in the pictures, when close ups clearly show the corrosion.
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Thank you. I’ve been feeling upset at myself for not looking more closely and asking questions before I placed my winning bid. I’ll be contacting the seller again.


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mybabykelly said:
Hi Rae!!! So glad to see you on here again 🙂 Have you reached out to the seller to express your dissatisfaction? If they listed it as “new” and the pictures weren’t great quality, it means they misrepresented the pin.

I’ve had to reach out to sellers plenty of times in the past. And you know what, an honest seller will accept the return.

That’s why when I trade/sell I always list out all the flaws. It lessens your chances of actually making the trade/sale but it also lessens the chances of a dissatisfied customer.

You’re such a sweet person and I’d hate for you to have to bite the bullet for something you didn’t intend.
Click to expand...

My friend!! How are you?? Yes, I’m back! 🙂 Hope to catch up with you soon too!

Thank you! I will reach out again. I reached out and expressed my concerns but they didn’t address my concerns and only told me they weren’t certain what that residue was. I will ask for a return. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to return it though because I’ve already cleaned off a good chunk of it myself and it’s no longer in the condition it arrived in.


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It looks a lot better, but there's still what appears to be some corrosion under the pin on pin element. Maybe try a q-tip soaked in white vinegar applied to the area a for a bit before using the soft brush again? You could also try a toothpick to gently pry/scrape those particulates out, but I would be wary of scratching/damaging the pin. It looks a LOT better though! To avoid moisture and this kind of corrosion/tarnish I keep some silica packets in my pin bag and try and keep them in dry areas out of sunlight.
 
ViciousLady said:
It looks a lot better, but there's still what appears to be some corrosion under the pin on pin element. Maybe try a q-tip soaked in white vinegar applied to the area a for a bit before using the soft brush again? You could also try a toothpick to gently pry/scrape those particulates out, but I would be wary of scratching/damaging the pin. It looks a LOT better though! To avoid moisture and this kind of corrosion/tarnish I keep some silica packets in my pin bag and try and keep them in dry areas out of sunlight.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I will try that. I’ve kept the pin isolated in another room away from any other pins just in case. I’ll get some silica packets too. I’m scared to mix this into the general pin population in case this can spread to other pins.


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curiouslittleoyster said:
Thank you! I will try that. I’ve kept the pin isolated in another room away from any other pins just in case. I’ll get some silica packets too. I’m scared to mix this into the general pin population in case this can spread to other pins.


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Click to expand...
A quick dip in rubbing alcohol and then drying fully should help ensure there's not more moisture trapped in there. Moisture is the real risk to your other pins.
 
curiouslittleoyster said:
My friend!! How are you?? Yes, I’m back! 🙂 Hope to catch up with you soon too!

Thank you! I will reach out again. I reached out and expressed my concerns but they didn’t address my concerns and only told me they weren’t certain what that residue was. I will ask for a return. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to return it though because I’ve already cleaned off a good chunk of it myself and it’s no longer in the condition it arrived in.


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Click to expand...
Ahhh so happy you’re back! Every time I see Alice baby oysters I think of you!

You did a great job cleaning it up. Maybe the seller can issue a partial refund so you don’t feel like you had to pay full price for a damaged pin?

Are you starting a Splash Mountain collections?!
 
mybabykelly said:
Ahhh so happy you’re back! Every time I see Alice baby oysters I think of you!

You did a great job cleaning it up. Maybe the seller can issue a partial refund so you don’t feel like you had to pay full price for a damaged pin?

Are you starting a Splash Mountain collections?!
Click to expand...
And I also think you should get a partial refund for all the time and effort you put into cleaning this pin. I can’t believe a seller sent that and listed it as new.
 
Pidge said:
And I also think you should get a partial refund for all the time and effort you put into cleaning this pin. I can’t believe a seller sent that and listed it as new.


At minimum, I’d send them clear photos and explain exactly how much cleaning was needed before it was even usable. “New” should not mean spending your own time removing grime, residue, or whatever else was left on it.


Even if the pin works perfectly now, that doesn’t really excuse how it arrived. A partial refund seems pretty reasonable, especially if returning it would just create even more hassle after you already fixed the problem yourself.


It’s the same reason I’d be annoyed with a Playfina Casino https://playfinacasinos.fr advertising polished games and slots, only for you to spend half the time dealing with basic issues before you can actually enjoy anything.
Click to expand...

Calling that new is wild, looks more like it spent a decade in a damp drawer lol. With before and after pics that bad the seller doesn't have much of a leg to stand on imo.
 
Last edited:
mybabykelly said:
Ahhh so happy you’re back! Every time I see Alice baby oysters I think of you!

You did a great job cleaning it up. Maybe the seller can issue a partial refund so you don’t feel like you had to pay full price for a damaged pin?

Are you starting a Splash Mountain collections?!
Click to expand...

Awww, I’ve missed our chats! 🫶

The seller responded suggesting I try Goof off or Goo Gone and if that doesn’t work I can return for refund or keep for partial refund.

I’ve been slowly tracking down the State Character pins. I’ve got half the states to go still 🫠Haven’t come across any for trade at my local trade meetup yet.


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Pidge said:
And I also think you should get a partial refund for all the time and effort you put into cleaning this pin. I can’t believe a seller sent that and listed it as new.
Click to expand...

Thank you, Pidge. Thankfully they are offering partial of full refund if I can’t get it cleaned up (they suggested Goof off or goo gone.)


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stockybolt01 said:
Calling that new is wild, looks more like it spent a decade in a damp drawer lol. With before and after pics that bad the seller doesn't have much of a leg to stand on imo.
Click to expand...

Thank you, stockybolt01! I was definitely shocked when I first opened the package. Fortunately they will accept return for refund or partial refund to keep if I can’t get this pin cleaned up.


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