What causes these weins

[jagdtiger]

its the rust under the paint

[Mickesouth]

Here is an pic. that shows rust in the form of veins.

[Stahlhelm]

This would have been a good question for the Conservation Forum. The truth is, as far as I know through research, that these veins are caused by rust which has developed under the paint. The rust then causes the paint to raise up from the core creating what appears to be "veins". Over time, and with continuing rust development, these veins can certainly cause the paint to flake-off, as well.

Chris

[Stahlhelm]

Actually, I just noticed that the photo posted above by Mikael is an excellent example of exactly what I described above. I've actually never-before seen such a perfect example.

Chris

[herrgeezer]

I was just reading this thread and wanted to post this cross. As you can see from the picture the cross has the familiar veining process except for the fact that the paint is nearly all gone. It doesn't quite look like the example above where the paint is still on the cross in some areas. Any ideas how this one came to look like this? No rust that I can see. Also, does anybody have an idea of who manufactured this cross?

[Stahlhelm]

Since the example above seems to show no rust on the veined core, it now looks like there's more than one cause of veins. Some or all of the other causes mentioned earlier, may indeed also be culprits. If that is, in fact, not rust on the core above, then I've certainly learned something here myself. Thanks for posting that example.

Chris

[T.Braun]

I too would like to know the maker of the above cross, I have one just like it.

[ChrisJ]

Rust ?

its the rust under the paint

Nope, not at all...my eyes get like this into the second bottle of "Chateau Neuf du Pape"

[Sal Williams]

Well I oiled a cross with good paint once. It got tons of veins the next day went I went to wipe off the excess. No rust was visible.

[Stahlhelm]

Well I oiled a cross with good paint once. It got tons of veins the next day went I went to wipe off the excess. No rust was visible.

I must counter that with an opposing example from my own experience. I also once oiled a cross with no veins and a little rust. For years thereafter, I've not seen a single vein on the cross anywhere. To the contrary, I've often considered the oiling to be the likely reason I've never seen veins. Hmmmmm. This is getting more confusing as it continues...

Chris