Rusty helmet help!

[PZIV]

I am going to Germany and a friend of mine has got 120 helmets that he has come across in his town. While I am in Germany he has promiced to give me one of the rusty ones for my own restoration process. He has shown me one of the ones he has down himself already.

Here is the before:
http://img85.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1beforeuq0.jpg

Here is the after:
http://img97.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1afterzn3.jpg

He also told me a lot of oil and a toothbrush got it that way. Could you guys tell me EXACTLY what to do and what to use? What kind of oil? Help please? Keep in mind I'm 15 and might not know some house-hold items (i.e cleaner names).

Thanks!

[Theodor]

I think WD-40 or some other of that kind "penetrating oil" would be good. It soaks well the rust and removes some of it.

[Lassi]

Yeap WD40 would also be my surgestion it dryes up again and don******180;t leave it soaked and nasty
Cheers
Lassi

[PZIV]

So what are some steps? Maybe get a pan of WD40, dip the toothbrush in it and gently rub the outside with the wet toothbrush?

[Paul G]

I don't think those are the same helmets in the before and after shots. Probably just a representative example of each. There is not much that could be done with that "before" example.

PG-

[PZIV]

Thank you for your opinion. I do not think that he would lie though.

[us1945]

I heared that you can with what we call lijn-olie.....or line-oil (product of line seats??!!)

Put it on...and wait..... 100% rusty helmets get clean again..and often paint is still there...and the decals

My friend picked up some German WW1 helmets in Afganistan were he kicked some ass.....those are a little bit rusty from the outside desert..but I still see a little paint..and the helmet is strong.

Often rust east the complete helemet...but there is also paint who is just under the rust.

I`ll try it on my helmet as soon as I shopped for a bottle at the local paintshop (busy with work etc)

So I`ll come back on this.... will make pics before and after...


best regards Tommy

[steve h]

if the helmet is reasonably robust, start by washing it in hot soapy water, take a scrubbing brush to it, be firm but careful. there`s no point coating a helmet shell in oil if it still has dirt etc clinging to the surface. then dry thoroughly, the best way if you can`t do it in the sun, is to put it in the oven at around 100-120 degrees for five minutes or so. take it out carefully, allow to cool , then use your oil, wd 40 as suggested is good, don`t be mean , give it a good spray inside and out. it`s amazing how much it`ll drink. you may have to do it two or three times. allow to stand somewhere warmish and dust free for a few days and bingo!, a new helmet!!.

[steve h]

i just had a thought , the above advice applies only if the shell is linerless!. obviously, if it still has the leather liner, ignore the above!!

[pitts duncan]

read the post in here about electrolisis to remove rust.

the guy in here a few posts back had a great article about putting it in a stainless tub, hook it to a negative battery charger and then put a piece of iron in the tub connected to a positive . in two hours or so all the rust is electrically removed. i am going to try this.

[PZIV]

I have thought about it, but I think it looks better rustic and "antique" look. It's more "been there" than the clean ones I think.

[Oregon]

An alternative to WD-40 is Gibbs. The product may eliminate the need to aggressively scrub the potentially delicate finish. - http://www.roadsters.com/gibbs/

Cody

[Oregon]

My buddy Erik asked if Gibbs will harm paint. The can states application on paint is safe so let's make a little experiment. This helmet was an attempt to see how easily a fake winter camo could be produced. The entire helmet represents about 30 minutes of actual effort while the patina can be attributed to a couple years outdoors during Oregon winters.

Cody

[Oregon]

2

[Oregon]

Here, the helmet has been hosed in Gibbs. We'll see what happens over the next few days...