Hello guys,recently I bought zink dog tag in beutiful condition and I would like to preserve it from corrosion. What is the best way to do that? Could your recommend me any modern lacquers?
-
-
back -
Sergey, As you may all ready know zinc is a poor grade of metal. Especially the older manufacture back then. Zinc usually had it's fair share of impurties in the metal. Late war manufacture seem to have more impurities in the zinc. Any one of these impurities along with humidity, and stored in a acid paper envelope can set off a zinc pest corrosion. Unfortunally any coating you may want to use on the dog tag can set off the corrosion.
Also if you apply a coating to it. That coating may not be reversible, or if it does come off. It may stain the zinc metal to a black color. Keep the humidity low, avoid storing the dog tag in a acid envelope. PaulComment
-
Vaseline stopes Zinc pest. I wonder if you give it a wipe with some, if it would protect it!Comment
-
Hi, Sergey:
I agree with Paul R. 100% on this one. The possibilities for zinc pest are always there, especially due to the impurities in the zinc during the time. Controlling the humidity level is the best and only thing you should do, in my opinion. That will at least help to control one of the things causing zinc pest. Contributing causes related to metal impurities are, of course, out of anyone's control.
I would also strongly advise against coating it with anything at all. From my experience, coating it with laquers of any type will surely ruin its collector value tremendously. Any coatings (even vaseline) can darken the metal. I have heard of this happening to more than a few surprised and regretful collectors. Again, this is only my advice. You may do anything you like, but be careful to consider all possibililties first, and be prepared to live with any outcome. The dog tag you have is, indeed, in very nice condition, and, if I were you, I would not take any chances on changing that.
Chris
Comment
-
Many thanks guys, so if I understood right the best way- don't preserve it. What do you think about keeping in cellophane pocket???
Comment
-
I have a dogtag collection myself, and here's how I safely store them and present it them others. I also collect coins, so I use acrylic coin holders (for multiple coins) which happen to be about the size of the dogtags. I simply remove the cardboard insert for the coins, I put the dogtags in those. If the tag is a little large anywhere(particularly around the edges) I just pad it with another archival material, which I also get from coin shops. These coin holders actually work just perfectly. They are about the perfect size, they are archival and safe, and they allow others to easily see and examine the tags, as much as necessary. This way, no one, including me has to handle the dogtag all the time, leaving skin oils, etc. behind for future corrosion.Originally posted by Sergey View Post
I'm not sure how many coins shops you have in your area, but if you have any, I'd check those out first. If you have no coin shops close, I'm sure you could also find these holders online somewhere. Since no one yet makes archival holders to house all the different militaria out there, we often have to just improvise and/or modify the archival things that are available. That was my solution anyway. It's just an idea you might consider. Also, having a liftetime of experience in collecting and preserving expensive coins has helped me out tremendously with the militaria, as well.
As for wrapping it in cellophane, I wouldn't do that either. Find something similar made out of one of the known archival materials such as mylar or acrylic. Cellophane is not archival and could cause problems with corrosion and damage to the metal over time.
I hope this helps.
Chris
Last edited by Stahlhelm; 06-27-2008, 01:05 PM.Comment
-
Paul,
Put.....a.....book.....together.....
( I won't stop this incessant harassment until I have the book in my hands, dammit!).....
Cheers,
Bob.I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.....Comment
-
Originally posted by Stahlhelm View PostI have a dogtag collection myself, and here's how I safely store them and present it them others. I also collect coins, so I use acrylic coin holders (for multiple coins) which happen to be about the size of the dogtags. I simply remove the cardboard insert for the coins, I put the dogtags in those. If the tag is a little large anywhere(particularly around the edges) I just pad it with another archival material, which I also get from coin shops. These coin holders actually work just perfectly. They are about the perfect size, they are archival and safe, and they allow others to easily see and examine the tags, as much as necessary. This way, no one, including me has to handle the dogtag all the time, leaving skin oils, etc. behind for future corrosion.
I'm not sure how many coins shops you have in your area, but if you have any, I'd check those out first. If you have no coin shops close, I'm sure you could also find these holders online somewhere. Since no one yet makes archival holders to house all the different militaria out there, we often have to just improvise and/or modify the archival things that are available. That was my solution anyway. It's just an idea you might consider. Also, having a liftetime of experience in collecting and preserving expensive coins has helped me out tremendously with the militaria, as well.
As for wrapping it in cellophane, I wouldn't do that either. Find something similar made out of one of the known archival materials such as mylar or acrylic. Cellophane is not archival and could cause problems with corrosion and damage to the metal over time.
I hope this helps.
Chris
Thank you Chris!
Comment
-
You are very welcome, Sergey! I'm glad I could help.
Chris
Comment
-
Check out the numismatic section at Дом Книги on Новый Арбат.Comment
-
I thought SS tags only had the SS runes on them followed by the usual info, not "Waffen-SS"...Comment
-
try this maybe
Maybe try a baseball card holder they come in varying sizes and some enclose if its good enough for a piece of cardboard it should be good for the dog tag
Comment
Comment