Artillery Shell Art

[tigertoby]

I have two artillery shell items that were sent back home from Europe, by my grandfather at the end of WW2. The shells have French(?) coins attached to the sides that are dated 1937 and 38. I could use some help with ideas how to remove corrosion that is on the side of the smaller shell. I'd like to try and save it. There is a photo posted here:

http://i51.tinypic.com/686m36.jpg

Thanks for your help.

[Paul R.]

Thanks for the photo it helps alot. I haven't seen such a heavy amount of corrosion in one area for a long time. It hard to tell from the photos you have submitted if the interior has the same build up. Most of the time with that amount of corrosion going on its most likely showing up inside the casing as well...
I’m leaning towards the brass being compromised under the corrosion. Without having it in hand myself I would gently wash off the corrosion under warm water first to see if the corrosion has attacked the brass shell casing completely through the brass. If it looks like no corrosion has eaten through the brass shell. Ten continues to wash in plain warm running water. Most of the outer surface corrosion should wash away. By using an old soft tooth brush very gently brush over the area... Do Not Apply Any Hard Pressure While Cleansing...

Most of the corrosion should be removed by the water rinse. Allow the shell to dry completely. If everything looks okay and not the brass shell doesn’t appear to have a rusty surface look to it. You can start a very light polishing using a product called Autosol. First pre clean the surface with a Pre-Lime surface cleaner. Apply a small dot of the Autosol cleaner to a soft cotton cloth and gently start cleaning in a small circular motion. Keep cleaning until the corrosion is gone. Use cautions do not apply hard pressure causing the brass to dent. When the polishing has been completed you want to rinse again in warm water to remove the Autosol residue. Apply a small amount of Regular denatured alcohol to remove the residue. The entire brass can be sealed with a Incralac lacquer to seal the surface and help prevent further corrosion.
A couple of words of caution… Do not use any power tools to help use hand cleaning only. Use autosol in a well vented area or outdoors.

[tigertoby]

Thanks for responding. The good news is that the shell wall is very thick and solid, and there is no corrosion on the inside, so it seems to be confined to the outside surface. I had tried the warm water and tooth brush before, and tried it again, but only about 15-20 percent of the corrosion was removed. I also tried a paste of salt and vinegar, a little tooth paste with a toothbrush, and leaving ketchup on it for a few hours (tidbits I found on google), but the corrosion is still not cooperating much. Here are a few more photos showing the current corrosion and the clean side:

http://i55.tinypic.com/15evdhy.jpg

http://i53.tinypic.com/2ccmjb4.jpg

http://i54.tinypic.com/2vx2khs.jpg

Anything else I should try? Thanks.

[Paul R.]

Okay next step. Before using the big guns (try the smaller guns) try brass (steel wool) 0000 grade. Gently rub over the powder area, or if you have a drummel tool they have a brass (semi soft) brush. Gently work over the powder area. Remember work slowly. Once remove use the autosol to polish the area.

[tigertoby]

I couldn't find any brass wool in town, but I did find a brass Dremel brush, and it took off most of the white powder corrosion:

http://i56.tinypic.com/2exss36.jpg

I know it's hard to tell without having it in your hand, but do you think it's ready for the Autosol, or should I spend a little more time with the Dremel?

[Paul R.]

Thanks for the photos They help out a lot. I circled the areas that needs a bit more drummel work. After those areas are done Autosol is next. However I'm still am a bit puzzled over the discoloration of the brass. Let see what the Autosol does. Don't forget work slowly. Don't foget you may want to cover your face with a face mask. Paul

[tigertoby]

Yes, that place is hard to get to without the dremel brush disintegrating all over the place, but I'll see what I can do. I couldn't find any autosol in town, so I'll have to order some online. Check back later.

[Paul R.]

I agree that is a tough spot to get to. Another polishing product that’s about the same as auto sol is called Flitz (here the link) http://www.flitz.com Just remember all polishing/cleaners have what we call is micro polishing abrasives. You will remove a thin layer of brass, and you will see small scratches in the metal.
I do not endorse using any of these cleaners or polishers on any type of daggers.

[rbminis]

I use both of these products in making my miniature edged weapons, Autosol and Flitz. I have good results with both, mostly I use Autosol.
Ralph.

[tigertoby]

UPDATE: The Autosol arrived a few days ago, and I spent some time working with it on the artillery shell. It did clean it up quite a bit, but discoloration remains. It seems that the corrosion comprised the zinc in the brass, and left the copper. Here are two photos, one of the clean side, and one showing the comprised side after using Autosol:

http://i55.tinypic.com/345g4uq.jpg

http://i56.tinypic.com/2m7dyqp.jpg

The copper color isn't as dark as it appears in the photos, so it doesn't look that bad, but it's there, and there to stay I'm afraid. The main thing is that the corrosion has been stopped. I'll work on the tiny bit of corrosion that remains in the hard-to-reach spot, then I'll seal the shell with the lacquer.

[rbminis]

I would say that the staining could be deep enough that you would have to polish off to much material to remove it. I would say, be happy with the results and protect it.
Ralph.

[Paul R.]

Agreed with Ralph... It sure looks 100% better than before!

[tigertoby]

When we started this restoration project, I thought the shell would be left with not only discoloration, but with heavy pitting as well, but there is almost no pitting, so it turned out better than I thought. Thanks for your help.

[rbminis]

Always happy to be of assistance.