EK corrosion

[nostromo]

I have a problem with iron cross 2 class of the IWW
Have begun to oxidize some of them on the inside, the black heart I have kept in cardboard boxes, and chat bubbles.
how can I clean the rust?
I recommend to be kept in perfect condition? can be cleaned with any product, unless the damage?
Thanks in advance to all
Gorka

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[Stahlhelm]

Unfortunately, I can think of no way to clean off the rust, without doing further and even more unacceptable damage to the cross. I wish I had something better to say, but I really don't.

Anything you could do which would remove the rust would also leave very obvious and very undesireable evidence of it having been removed. Unfortunately, once the rust has developed, about all you can do is control the humidity so that the rust will become inactive and progress no further.

Chris

[ApathyL]

Make sure you store them not in cardboard boxes and stuff like that, but in places were you have it humid controlled. Its important. I had a little rust stain on one of my 1939 Ek 1.`s and i removed it no problem, and didnt damge anything, i have in an environment were not even the silver frames have tarnised over some 2 years..... anyhow good luck.




Cheers, Les.

[Stahlhelm]

I guess it really depends on how much rust is on it, and exactly how you go about removing it. Anything abrasive, involving any rubbing action, is going to leave some trace of it being messed with (especially if it's over an area large enough to be noticed).

I have an EK1 that had some rust on it when I got it. I've controlled the humidity since, and there's been not an ounce of further rust. I'm personally okay with the looks of it, in its "as found" condition. I also have a Combat Police helmet that has some rust on its interior. I would never attempt to remove that either. Helmet collectors will also tell you to leave that alone.

I personally just don't like trying to mess with things like that, since any such things I did earlier in my collecting times just left me regretful. I suppose it's also a matter of what your personal tolerance is for such things. Mine is about 0. Depending on your tolerance, the result of removing the rust may not be a problem.

Whatever you do, be careful! First, consider all the possible results of anything you plan to do. Then, ask yourself if you can live with the cosequences.

Chris