Stabilizing and Preserving Iron from Salt Water

[romeo-1]

Does anyone have any recommendations for stabilizing and preserving iron relics which were recovered from a salt water beach? I just recently found my first cannonball in this environment and would like to ensure that it doesn't fall apart on me.

It does not have any large scale rust so I don't think that electroysis is really necessary. I am more interested in techniques to remove the salt water from the iron and waxing methods. Thanks all!

[Bigcypresshunter]

The first thing you should be doing now is soaking it in distilled water to remove the salts. I have a bucket soaking for many months. I think the electrolysis may help stabilize.

[boogeyman]

An old boy I used to TH with would put his items in a bucket of drinking water, changing it every day. After about a month he'd dry it in the oven on low low heat to drive out the rest of the moisture. This may sound crazy but he'd heat a pan of parafin throw the item in it & pull a vacumn with a mickey moused tire pump. Then rub off the excess parafin off. He did a 1920s cast iron toy car for me. It looked good the 8 years I had it till I sold it. Another thing he used was a spray he got from Graingers. It was to protect electrical systems. Might be some help for you.

If you have a large museum close, ask to talk with one of the conservators. I've gotten some great information on restoring from the Natural History Museum in L.A.