Rusting, flaking EK 1

[George Stimson]

I have just noticed that this otherwise fine Zimmermann "20" EK 1 that I obtained about a year ago has just developed rust-caused paint flaking (see especially on the 12 and 3 o'clock arms). Is there anything I can do to stop this process? Should I knock off the loose paint? This phenomenon is limited to this one EK; none of my two hundred or so other examples are doing this.
Anybody?
Thanks!

[Mike Kenny]

Hi George,

Not a good situation. Looks like the damage is already done and whatever you do it's not going to look any better. Removing the paint may be worse than trying to halt the rust with a WD40 type product. I'd probably recommend an oil to try and stabilise the damage before removing the paint. Unless you're going to try removing the paint from the effected areas, removing/treating the rust and then replacing the original paint chips?

Imo, looks like this one was cleaned and whatever agent was used was not removed/dried from under the frames - even the remaining paintwork looks discoloured in your image. Sounds like a seller to avoid. The sort of sudden aging you are experiencing is imo NOT natural.

Regards
Mike

[Dave-B]

If it were mine then it would have a warm soapy bath then thoroughly dried with 'er indoor's hairdryer then I would get a spot of WD-40 on an old soft toothbrush and gently brush the core....then gently dab it with some kitchen roll.
There is not much else you can do,it's damage limitation now I think.


Dave

[Sonderkommando]

George,
In all honesty you are better getting rid of it and buying another in better condition as no matter what you do to it, I don't think you will be happy with the result.
Other than that you could put light machine oil on it and go over it with a cotton bud and remove all the flaking bits and then wipe it clean with a soft cotton rag. It is not the ideal solution but it will clean up okay, and just apply a light coat of oil every time the previous coat dries out.

Cheers,
Brett

[George Stimson]

Thanks for the tips, gents!
Yes, I should add that the red (or pink) tint that you see on the cross is not an effect of lighting -- it's a feature of the cross itself.
I'd be satisfied simply to halt the rusting process. Otherwise the EK is very nice and was a very good deal at a show for just $100.

[Rich G]

George,

Was this being stored the same way as all the others? In riker mounts or in original case?

Rich

[Chet Sowersby]

George,
Many years ago and I do mean many, I had my first coupe of EK's. One was dirty. Being young and dumb I washed it. I failed to dry it properly and over a period of months it began to show the same symptoms that your cross presently has. I took a tooth brush and WD40 to it. When I was done with it the cross was in far worse condition. I learned a very valuable lesson early on.

Chet

[George Stimson]

Rich, it was in a Riker case with 29 other 1939 EK 1s, none of which show any similar signs of deterioration.
Chet, thanks for the input. I'm not in a hurry to do anything -- yet.