Zinc Pest

[Bernie Brule]

What's the safest way to remove zinc pest?

[Paul R.]

It's best to draw your own conclusions on zinc pest. This has been a hot topic for some time on the WAF. Many different opinions on this topic. So conduct a WAF search on the subject. Then draw your own conclusions.

[PBR]

No way to stop Zink pest, sorry.
You can try with graphite, it gonna slow the process but not stop it.

[besslein]

No way to stop Zink pest, sorry.
You can try with graphite, it gonna slow the process but not stop it.

i agree its no way to stop,but you can try to find a better set

[DONDon1]

I had good results with citrus acid.

[NORDEWIN]

perhaps

olive oil or vaseline?

[solo]

Hello,vaseline oil will stop zink pest
Carlo

[Craig Gottlieb]

My vote is for light vaseline, Bernie.

[Paul R.]

The biggest problem is zinc pest, (zinc rust, zinc buggers) or whatever you want to call it. There has and still is a long and never ending debate on the problem and how to "cure it". There are a number of contributing factors for this problem (do a search on the WAF forum “zinc pest”).
One must remember that zinc is the poorest quality of junk metals. It’s a combination of basically un pure composite medals “most conservators call it everything including the kitchen sink medals”. Most of the zinc problems occur in smelting, or melting down the other medals in the process.
The fast or poor manufacturing piece of the metal. I have seen newer pieces of the new zinc made five years ago with a cleaned up of impurities in the medal. They were made with the newer technologies. Wow! You cannot believe the huge differences in the medals. Remember that also there was a war going on. There was a huge amount of pressure to get things done and get things out the door attitude.

Just keep in mind if you have zinc problems. There is no cure for it that will stop it 100%. There is only a temporary fixes. Nothing helps long term. No oils, vasoline( vasoline attracts moisture), waxing, polishing, shellacing will help. Most people get up set with my statements. I don't believe in covering up the truth, or sugar coating it. I wish that the world of conservation had a cure that would stop that problem, but we are not there yet.
Investing in an acid free box to store zinc items it helps a lot, and control the humidity seems to stop or slow down detraction process.
Of course there are your items to do with as you see fit.
<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

[aj4012000]

Hi Gents!

Does that mean badges made from Tombac, Brass, Buntmetall has less problem compare with the Zinc product?

Best Regards

Joe

[Paul R.]

Hi Gents!

Does that mean badges made from Tombac, Brass, Buntmetall has less problem compare with the Zinc product?

Best Regards

Joe

Brass, Buntmetal, Tombac can usually have a simular (decomposition) problems. Brass turns green, Buntmetal has a whitish powder look, Tombac at times turn blackish in areas. Zinc is usually the worst.

[aj4012000]

Hi Paul!

Thanks for the info! since like all the material has there own problem, or is there any material that could lost more longer compare with the material that I refering to.

Best Regards

Joe

[Paul R.]

Hi Joe... It's like a crap shoot. A lot of factors play a huge part in all of this as well. Things like the manufacturing processes of the metals. Such as impurities in the metal, storage, environmental (including air quality), and if the metal was sealed or painted. Even the humidity levels in our homes. All these play a role in the stabilization of the material. Don’t forget our hands as well. Dirty, oily, sweaty skin leaves behind residue and dead skin cells on everything from metals to leather, to paper, to cloth. Using gloves helps a lot.

[Nordmark]

Make sure you store your badges correctly, this will prevent any form of zinc pest and it will also prevent further damages to your badges. I still enjoy all of my zinc badges...



Daniel

[Craig Gottlieb]

I store my GAB/IAB/PAB collection in a riker mount, and keep it out of sunlight.