In Reply to: Cleaning Iron Relics ????????????????
posted by Larry Helton on May 09, 1998 at 17:34:45

Not quite sure what to recommend if you are attempting to contain entire piece as is, loose scale and all. I have had my best luck carefully knocking loose the "scale" then I immerse the item in a bucket of Muriatic Acid (hydrochloric, which can be purchased from a local hardware store by the gallon) Be very careful handling the acid, DO NOT work with it in enclosed spaces and ALWAYS have a bucket full of baking soda water handy for accidents. I leave the item in for about 24 hours then neutralize the item by immersing it in a bucket of water with some baking soda added. Be warned that mixing the soda with the acid will result in massive foaming. Rinse the item again in straight water a couple of times. Let dry thoroughly. After the item is fully dry and you are sure there is no remaining rust then coat it with 2 seperate coats of "renew" (3M makes a similar product) it is a milky fluid that basically converts light rust to a black coating. After the "renew" has thoroughly dried (about a week) then I spray it with acrylic spray. I have done all my cannon balls, axe heads and other iron artifacts this way and none of them re-oxidized or have developed the eruptions which occurs when items are coated with sealers before all the rust is neutralized. Stomping foot on ground here for attention purposes here ...I cannot emphasize the DANGERS with dealing with the acid, you can be SERIOUSLY BURNED and the vapors are very HAZARDOUS also. If you are a klutz or have children around the work area then I would find an alternate method such as labor intensive electrolysis.