The BEST method for cleaning Iron Relics

[shack24]

I use full strength apple cider vinegar, then rinse with water, then coat with evaporust to stop the flash rusting and let it dry. Then bake in an oven about 250 degrees and coat with crisco lightly.

-Buck

Would you recommend using this method on a cannonball? I found my first one recently, a 24 pound coehorn shell. What kind of color do you think it will have after the evaporust and crisco?

 

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[Arrowheadhunter]

How long does the apple cider vinegar take?

 

[BuckleBoy]

How long does the apple cider vinegar take?

Takes several days, then lightly tap and put in the vinegar again, then several more days. Depends on how much rust, and your soil type. Basically a week to a week and a half. But you don't have to monitor it or do much to it.

-Buck

 

[marz]

I have used EvapoRust to clean tools and car parts works like a charm love that stuff

 

[GlennConti]

Should I use Evapo-rust on the attached razor I bought? Then bake it with Crisco? How about hand applied Renaissance Wax instead of the Crisco step?

 

[marz]

It will clean up nicely with it yes its safe ro use also it has no acids vic's or fumes safe on skin and eyes removes rust to bare metal its a super safe rust remover

 

[BuckleBoy]

I'd say anything that'd coat it would be good. Give the wax a try.

 

[Ilovetodig]

How long do you let your items soak in the Apple Cider Vinegar? I have recently dug a lot of iron items and want to clean them up and preserve them.

 

[relicmeister]

I like the results you get using ACV, but I find the smell rather nasty after its rust-laden. I'm gonna get me some Evaporust . Does anyone use a wire-wheel?

 

[mattyw1991]

I have been finding oxen shoes recently around my girlfriends farm I've heard that if you leave them how they are they will deteriorate over time dose anyone know how to preserve them ? I've heard bri wax is good ?

 

[Wildcat1750]

Tried the Evapo Rust and Crisco Bake for the first time this week and was very happy with the results.
Thanks for all the tips. I'll be trying Apple Cider Vinegar too.

 

[BuckleBoy]

I have been finding oxen shoes recently around my girlfriends farm I've heard that if you leave them how they are they will deteriorate over time dose anyone know how to preserve them ? I've heard bri wax is good ?

If you leave them, they will slowly crumble to nothing. Best to preserve them by removing the rust then sealing them.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Tried the Evapo Rust and Crisco Bake for the first time this week and was very happy with the results.
Thanks for all the tips. I'll be trying Apple Cider Vinegar too.

Those turned out great! Is the large buckle a sling buckle of some sort? Looks colonial era to me.

 

[Wildcat1750]

Those turned out great! Is the large buckle a sling buckle of some sort? Looks colonial era to me.

Thanks! ...and you are correct, the majority opinion around here is that it is an 18th century sling buckle. http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/519871-what-type-buckle-how-old.html
Nick

 

[BuckleBoy]

Thanks! ...and you are correct, the majority opinion around here is that it is an 18th century sling buckle. http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/what/519871-what-type-buckle-how-old.html
Nick

In that case, it's one sweet find! I'd love to have one from that era, no matter the metal composition.

Congrats,

Buck

 

[Wildcat1750]

Part Brass/Part Ferrous Knee Buckle

Not sure how to handle this one. It's an 18th century brass knee buckle but the clasp is ferrous and delicate. It is starting to get brittle after a day out of the ground. I've put in in a sealed baggy for now.

 

[Dug]

Not sure how to handle this one. It's an 18th century brass knee buckle but the clasp is ferrous and delicate. It is starting to get brittle after a day out of the ground. I've put in in a sealed baggy for now.

If that was mine I would clean the iron portion lightly with a dremel tool with wire brush attachment. Then I would soak it in Evaporust. Any other method and you are going to lose the patina on the brass. Once I had removed any remaining black spots of scale on the iron portion I would soak it in distilled water for a few days. I would then lightly dremel brush any flash rust off, rinse one more time then bake in the oven at around 350 for one hour to ensure it is thoroughly dry. Then while it is still hot rub it down with Microcrystalline wax.

 

[Wildcat1750]

If that was mine I would clean the iron portion lightly with a dremel tool with wire brush attachment. Then I would soak it in Evaporust. Any other method and you are going to lose the patina on the brass. Once I had removed any remaining black spots of scale on the iron portion I would soak it in distilled water for a few days. I would then lightly dremel brush any flash rust off, rinse one more time then bake in the oven at around 350 for one hour to ensure it is thoroughly dry. Then while it is still hot rub it down with Microcrystalline wax.

Thanks, Dug! I will work very carefully with my Dremel because I'm not sure how solid the clasp is. Two more questions: 1) I assume it's OK to put brass in the oven? 2) I'm unfamiliar with Microcrystlline wax. Is it easy to get?

 

[BuckleBoy]

I might be tempted to use rust converter on it, since it's so fragile. That would keep the patina on the brass. I also like the comment up above. IMO it's a gamble either way--no guarantee that the chape will stay intact. But make the best decision you can and go with it, because doing nothing will certainly result in it crumbling away.

Best Wishes,

Buck

 

[Wildcat1750]

I might be tempted to use rust converter on it, since it's so fragile. That would keep the patina on the brass. I also like the comment up above. IMO it's a gamble either way--no guarantee that the chape will stay intact. But make the best decision you can and go with it, because doing nothing will certainly result in it crumbling away.

Best Wishes,

Buck

Thanks, Buck. I thought about rust converter too. I've used it on locks that were both brass and iron with nice results. It makes the iron turn black, but I guess that's much better than it falling apart.

Nick