krim shield opinions on it please

[belinda]

Hi everyone,
i have had this shield in my collection for quite a while now, but i am not too sure if it is a good one or a bad one. I am hoping that it is ok, but with the way the rust is coming through at the back, i am not too sure as on the front i can't see any rust coming through. Also when i got it, it was a bronzy colour and now it has vanished.
All opinions will be much appreciated.

regards,
belinda

[belinda]

picture of the back

[pantherv]

........

Hi Belinda....nothing wrong with the shield...a nice Zinc Deumer. Can't understand why the Bronze has suddenly come off. Unless the shields been stored in damp/humid conditions. That my explain why the back plate has started to rust through the paper.

KR..Peter

[belinda]

Thanks peter for the reply. I am pleased that it is ok as i paid £70 for it. I hadn't looked at it for a while and was shocked that the bronze has gone from it. You are right though, where my items are stored, it is in a dampish condition as when i touch the wall, it is very cold and wet to the touch.

regards.
belinda

[Jono]

You are right though, where my items are stored, it is in a dampish condition as when i touch the wall, it is very cold and wet to the touch.

Move them!

[belinda]

i have just bought some silica gel sachets to put in the cabinets. Do you think that they will do the job?

regards,
belinda

[pantherv]

i have just bought some silica gel sachets to put in the cabinets. Do you think that they will do the job?

regards,
belinda

Short term, maybe Belinda but I'd move them.

Peter

[Tim B.]

Belinda,

Best option is to move them to a dryer environment, especially the zinc pieces or they will rot (zincpest) over time.

If you can't move them or use a dehumidifier effectively, I might suggest putting the items into little ziplock bags (not the sandwich type!). I know some don't like that option, but I find it works pretty good. Just make sure you do this once the items are completely dry or you will lock the item in moisture and only speed up the process.

I do use large size dessicant that I get through coin dealer sites to help with removing moisture from the safe, but it's a temporary fix and you have to continually dry them out in the oven once they turn pink in order for them to work, which in your case sounds like that would happen quite often.

If you notice any of your pieces that are starting to turn or lose their finish, try some vaseline (not the hand lotion!). There should be some good information in the conservation forum if you look.

Best of luck! This is why I don't normally collect zinc pieces anymore.
Tim

[belinda]

Thanks tim very much on the info.
I have other zinc badges and i have noticed that the gold has started to go on these aswell.
I know that peter is right on the damp conditions doing it, as we moved into this place about a year ago and it seems that since then, i have started to have the trouble.
I will try the vaseline and see if that helps, if not, i will try the bags, as there is nowhere else for me to put it, only in the loft and that i know will be worse and i also won't be able to appreciate my collection stored away up there.

regards,
belinda

[Anthony N]

Hi belinda, hope you're doing well.
I did have my cabinet downstairs until i saw the frame of an EKI turning slightly brownish & realised it was moisture from the kitchen, so i moved my cabinet to my bedroom & everything is OK.
Here's what i've learnt from collecting records & militaria.

1) Make sure they are not against an outside wall, put your display against an intereior wall either to your house or next door.
2) Keep the temperature steady in the room.
3) Avoid walls with any damp issues whatsoever
4) Never store your items in an attic/loft
5) keep away from areas that suffer from steam (water moisture) like the kitchen or bathroom.
6) If your house has issues cut down on buying Zinc items.
7) Get some dessicant &/or a dehumidifier.
8) Avoid strong, direct sunlight

It sounds like a pain but in the long run its worth it. There will be somewhere in your house that will be OK. If you're worried about the walls, find one you think is the best & tape a piece of paper to it for a while, you'll soon see if there's an issue.
Good luck, Ant.

[belinda]

Thanks ant for the important info. You are right about the outside walls, as i live in a detached bungalow and the cabinets are against the outside wall. My husband is buying a dehumidifier because we are getting this problem in all the rooms especially on the colder spells of weather! so i am hoping that maybe it will do the trick, if not i will have to avoid buying zinc items in the future.
What about cloth items like side caps and arm bands? will they be ok, as they seem to be alright at the moment.

regards,
belinda

[Anthony N]

Thanks ant for the important info. You are right about the outside walls, as i live in a detached bungalow and the cabinets are against the outside wall. My husband is buying a dehumidifier because we are getting this problem in all the rooms especially on the colder spells of weather! so i am hoping that maybe it will do the trick, if not i will have to avoid buying zinc items in the future.
What about cloth items like side caps and arm bands? will they be ok, as they seem to be alright at the moment.

regards,
belinda

No problem Belinda, just things i've noticed through the years. maybe a damp course would be helpful as damp conditions aren't much good for your health either. I lived in a house that suffered from damp & it turned a babys car seat & some of my accounts to a horrible state.
I'd imagine therefore that it will affect cloth items but only if they were close to a damp patch. I'm not sure on that though, just noticed in our old house that it was only cloth items close to a damp patch.
Ant.