The Iron Cross, and rust...

[JGoshenschmidt]

I have a very precious (to me) Iron Cross from a family member who served in WW2. I'm sure in the grand scheme of things it isn't worth a ton of money, but it means a lot personally.

I have always taken great care to eliminate moisture, and keep it in a dry, dry environment. It has been in a shadowbox case the past 12 years. On removing it last night for display in a new case, I noted some rust developing in the bottom right corner. It's not eating paint, or bubbling up surface. It seems to be coming from where the black contacts the silver outer frame. I understand this is a common issue, but I've not seen anyone talk about how to stop it without ruining the black (mine has not so much as a scratch and I wanna keep it that way).

If anyone has a solution for prevention of more rust and stopping what is there, I'd appreciate the advice.

~Jeff

[keifer kahn]

Hi Jeff,

Don't apply oil or anything.Buy a hygrometer and(Humidity gauge) and keep the cross in 50% humidity environment. Rust starts at 65%.

Silica gel packets are good and also you can buy moisture rid products from hardware shops.Or a dehumidifier if you want total protection.(Probaly a bit much for a single cross.

Keeping things in boxes doesent always ensure protection against rust.Boxes made from card can soak up moisture(just like paper soaks up water) and that is then transferred onto the cross.With out airflow to circulate the moisture, it sits on your piece and causes rust.You are actually better to keep tings in the open sometimes.Boxes are sometimes only good for keeping dust off things.

In a shadow box, try some silica gel packets and keep rotating new ones in and out of the box and dry them out occasionally.Once silica gel absorbs moisture, you need to dry them out, as they can only absorb so much.

When the packet changes from clear to colour, you know its reached its limit.

Good luck.

[JGoshenschmidt]

Thank You sir.

I have now transferred the cross to a more open type display of a bell jar. Our house is so dry, there's no worries of humidity whatsoever.

So as far as the rust that is there (which is admittedly minimal) I should just leave it alone?

Jeff

[keifer kahn]

Hi Jeff,

Just leave it.
If its minor, then there is nothing worse than fiddling.

Rust that is deprived of moisture will eventually change colour from orangey red(active) to a dark brown (inert).Once its inert , it has actually formed a protective barrier and cannot continue to rust.Its only when the process goes unchecked and remains active,(In a 65% plus humidity environment), that rust will continue to the point iron(ferrous) disintegrates.

If you have now put it in more humidity conducive environment, then you have done the best thing .

regards KK