Restore vs Leave alone

[Stahlhelm]

Agree.

The Petroleum in vasaline helps create that humidity barrier to help post-pone the damage. From what I know, nothing removes the zinc pest after it has set in.

I remember reading somewhere that there was some mention of a material that could help remove the zinc pest but that the discoloration that would be left behind would be perhaps worse than just doing the regular vasaline treatment alone.

The zinc pest and the damage that it does, seems like it is permanent.
The outer portion of the pin/badge or whatever, has been compromised and the only thing I know of is to just postpone the damage by occasionally putting the vasaline treatment on the badges and leaving for 24 hours, then removing with a lint free cloth lightly.

I have a small mini-dehumidifier for my display box, and I absolutely love it, Seems to work very nicely.

Cheers all

2dresq907

Yes, one thing many collectors don't realize is that the zinc pest, when present, has already removed, deteriorated, or pushed off, any of the original finish. Yes, when the pest comes from within the metal beneath, it will force itself to the surface no matter what, removing whatever finish is in its way. So, in most cases, removing the unattractive white-colored pest will then reveal an area that is then a much darker color than the color of the undamaged finish around it. So, if I must have a discolored area on my badge, then I guess it's better to have a discolored area that is NOT active corrosion, screaming to all that it is ZINC PEST! At least the darker-colored metal beneath is just exactly that only--a darker colored metal and not a dreaded, active corrosion.

I have just learned something very helpful from your post that I didn't know. I never considered the idea of a mini-dehumidifier being produced. It certainly makes sense, and has a definite niche for collectors, but I just hadn't thought to look for such a thing before. Thanks for informing me about that and giving some new conservation ideas. I'll have to get a few of those myself.

Chris

[JustinG]

The mini humidifier that I have is an EVA-DRY. I got mine off amazon.com. I am very happy with it.
They are very easy to use and to maintain.

Thanks,
2dresq907

[Stinch]

What's everyone's opinion about taking black paint off Russian capture K98 pouches? It never completely comes off, so it will always be a Russian capture. But cleaned it shows how it looked when used during the war.

[Stahlhelm]

The mini humidifier that I have is an EVA-DRY. I got mine off amazon.com. I am very happy with it.
They are very easy to use and to maintain.

Thanks,
2dresq907

Thanks for the info!

Chris