How to perserve iron

[kimonswanson643]

Found a iron buckle from the civil war and I am wondering how to get the rust off without running it and how to preserve it.

 

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[Mr.T]

Check aquachiggers videos on preserving iron relics!

 

[Tnmountains]

Cleaning & Preservation

 

[parsonwalker]

I see you didn't get many responses. My method is pretty simple and seems to work very well. Since you didn't provide a pic, I don't know how badly your buckle is corroded. I use a wire wheel on a bench grinder. If it's too delicate, I use a tiny wire wheel on a dremel tool. You always stand a chance of ruining the relic, but I very rarely break one. I just go slow. Once the dirt is off, and the extra rust is removed, don't worry about the surface rust. paint it with PURE 100% Linseed oil. Not the "compound" which has additives. It could take anywhere from 3 to 10 days for it to soak in and dry. You may then display it, and it usually won't flake for years.

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

Best way I have found to remove rust with out risking damage to the item is to simply put it in apple cider vinigar. depending on the level of rust it could take a week or two or with heavily crusted iron objects it could take a month or more but it works really good and is effortless. I keep a tub of it out in the shed and when I have someting that needs the treatment I just toss it in and when I have time i pull it out and check it. If it needs more time in the ACV I knock off any loose rust and drop it back in.
Here is a pic of a couple of axe heads I did, the one on the left needs a little more time.

Good luck,
ZDD

 

[TrpnBils]

I've used a basic electrolysis setup on several things then preserved in beeswax. Some people complain about things having a waxy feeling after doing that type of sealing, but I haven't had that issue. If I feel it a little waxy I'll heat the whole thing up and usually a drop or two will drip off. Once it cools down it's fine. The stuff I've done hasn't rusted again at all.

 

[Ahab8]

The apple cider vinegar works great as ZDD said. Just gotta have a little patience. I have a trade axe and an old iron key in there right now. I will post when they're ready to come out. Just gotta seal the item fairly quickly so it doesn't start oxidizing again

 

[relicmeister]

I find and display A LOT of iron relics, so the method I use is fast and easy, but not necessarily the most ideal.
I first scrape off the big rust and dirt. Then I use a wire wheel on a bench-grinder set-up. Next I heat them in a toaster oven and
apply lard (Crisco)and heat some more. While still very warm I wipe off the pieces with a cotton cloth, and immediately spray
with clear, flat or satin lacquer. A portion will flake again and need to have the process repeated.