Zincpest crystalization, opinions please

[Robert P.]

Hi all,

I just bought this badge, and found small 'glass-like' crystals forming on the reverse of the zinc wreath. Is this a form of zincpest, and how do I go about preserving what is already there? I don't want it to grow worse. Do I try and remove the crystals, or just leave them alone? Any help would be appreciated. I have never seen this formation of crystals before. They are very, very hard.

[Paul R.]

Robert. Thanks for posting the photo. Yes, that's what we call bubbling zinc pest. Zinc pest is a very strange thing. Your case is not often seen on items. Your zinc pest most likey started deep inside the medal. It's hard to predict if it will surface through out the medal. The topic of zinc pest comes up often in the conservation field for now there is no real cure. Yes, sometimes products like Ren Wax can hault it for a short peroid of time, but will not stop it completely. Zinc pest can stay idle for a long time before it surfaces. It's hard to predict if the entire medal will be infected or not.
Some conservators say it makes no difference if Ren Wax product is applied on the zinc pest. From all the pest infected medals that I have seen I agree. It's just one of those strange things that can happen. Paul

[Robert P.]

Robert. Thanks for posting the photo. Yes, that's what we call bubbling zinc pest. Zinc pest is a very strange thing. Your case is not often seen on items. Your zinc pest most likey started deep inside the medal. It's hard to predict if it will surface through out the medal. The topic of zinc pest comes up often. In the conservation field there is no real cure. Yes, sometimes products like Ren Wax can hault it for a short peroid of time, but will not stop it completely. Zinc pest can stay idle for a long time before it surfaces. It's hard to predict if the entire medal will be infected or not.
Some conservators say it makes no difference if a product is applied on the zinc pest. From all the pest infected medals that I have seen I agree. It's just one of those strange things that can happen. Paul

Thank you Paul for your input,

I guess mine is in full 'bloom'. Very bizarre. I thought about trying to remove it, but I think the area would suffer more by messing with it. I applied Ren wax over the entire badge to keep humidity out. I'm hoping this will help. Thank you for identifying it for me, Paul.

[Paul R.]

Thanks Robert, Paul

[Robert P.]

Paul,

As a general rule I keep all of my badges wrapped in 100% washed muslin cloth, then placed in card paper boxes, then in hard card paper photo boxes, in a low humidity safe. I have wrapped this particular 'infected' badge in the muslin as usual, and stored it in a small ziplock baggie in the usual card box, stored with my other badges in the box. I think storing it in the baggie should isolate it from my other badges. I first washed and dried it before coating it with a layer of Ren wax. How does this method sound to you?

[Robert P.]

a picture is worth a thousand words...

[Paul R.]

Yes, keeping the badge isoltated is good. So is the 100 cotton muslin. Ren Wax is good. The only 2 concerns is making sure the badge was 100% bone dry before apping the Ren Wax, and the plastic bag. Plastic bags do out gas over time, and they trap moisture inside. Even if you put in a silica gel pack in with everything the out gasing is still going to happen. Food grade plastic bags are a a little bit better, but they to out gas in time. If you can pick up a small acidfree box. They are not too expensive. Hope this helps Paul

[Paul R.]

Hah! pictures are worth a 1,000 words. It looks better that I had thought. Thanks. Paul

[Robert P.]

Here's some good products...

http://apps.webcreate.com/ecom/catal...goryFullID=165

Option #1: The bulk silica gel sounds the best. It can be dried and reused thousands of times. I think a gunsafe would need maybe 5# of this gel.

Option #2: Is there an electric air dryer collectors use for this purpose, I could place in with my badges within the safe?

Yes, the badge was washed first in mild soapy water with a soft toothbrush, air-dried, then the Ren Wax applied. I understand that any moisture will be trapped within the metal once the wax has been applied. And, the wax will prevent any moisture from entering the metal. Thanks for your help, Paul. My next move is to buy some silica gel to place in my safe(s).

[Robert P.]

Well, from what you are saying, Paul, plastic bags outgas and cause moisture. So, away with the plastic bag 'isolation' theory for this particular badge. I've just wrapped it in the usual muslin. Now to but some descecant. I also need to hang a humidity indicator in my safe(s).

[Paul R.]

The listed site is a very good company. They know about the products that they sell. I have purchased from them for many years.
Yes, I encourage all collectors to buy a humidity gauge and check it twice daily to keep down the moisture. If you go the bulk silica beads 1/4 lb is way good for a safe. Remember to dry can also cause shrinkage to wood, glue to crack, laminate(paper or wood) to pull apart.
The fans is a great idea. It helps keep air moving.
keep up the good work on your collection it sound like you have a handle on it. Paul

[Robert P.]

Thank you again Paul,

They wanted to sell me 5#, as if I had a walk-in safe. Fans, yes, it's good to open up a small den to ventilate the room and get rid of humidity from body heat/humidity to ensure a safe atmosphere, especially if you have badges on tunic displays. Humidity rises with heat, condenses with cold. I bought a humidity guage for my safe to monitor it's interior. With the gel I should be able to really control things, and keep my good pieces zincpest free.

[Robert P.]

Paul and others,

Here is another product which I just bought, silica jel paks which can be microwaved for just one minute to dry X 10,000+ times. 45 grams apiece. The dealer said a gunsafe 3' X 3' X 5' required 120 grams of descecant to dehumidify adequately. The 4-pak has 180 grams, for just $22.50.

http://www.desiccantsonline.com/inde...&productId=287

[Stahlhelm]

Muslin is fine, of course. However, as an alternative, I would also suggest wrapping items in fleece. Fleece not only attracts NO moisture, it also repels it. Fleece is also safe for archival purposes and does not "out-gas".

Chris

[Robert P.]

Muslin is fine, of course. However, as an alternative, I would also suggest wrapping items in fleece. Fleece not only attracts NO moisture, it also repels it. Fleece is also safe for archival purposes and does not "out-gas".

Chris

What kind of fleece? Polarfleece is polyester. It repels water/moisture, especially when it's new, unwashed.