Use of vaseline...

[Carl Spackler]

I've seen several members mention the use of vaseline as preservative on badges. Could someone explain correctly how this should be applied.

Mike

[Bruce Simcox]

Hi Mike......

......apply it in a thin layer. Leave it overnight. Clean it off with a soft cloth in the morning.

[Calvin Hall]

I have not used it as a protectant, but I have used it successfully numerous times in removing zinc pest.

I just use either a tooth brush or a q-tip. I wait awhile, then I remove w/ soap and water.

I would like to hear some thoughts about using vaseline as a protectant.

[all1knew]

Hello there,

I apply with a Q-tip and leave it on overnight and pretty much remove with a Q-tip - I find that compressed air works well for getting excess out of hard to reach crevasses on badges. I personally believe that zinc badges photograph better after a Vesline treatment; to me they appear to have more depth and appeal after being treated.

William Kramer

[Tim B.]

Mike,

As others mentioned, a Q-tip, soft toothbrush, I often just use my fingers and work it in. The problem I had with Q-tips, is the lint strands it often leaves behind.

If you leave it on overnight and then wipe it clean, the lint should be all gone and a light surface coating appears to remain. As a protectorant, I have not noticed any long-term issues thus far, though you may need to apply more than one treatment if the zincpest is really bad to start.

My experiences anyway.

Tim

[fdodge]

Vaseline in liberal amounts hurts nothing IMO. The more the better.
I also use it in zinc badges with no signs of pest as a precautionary measure.
Vaseline has other uses too

[juoneen]

Has anyone ever tried vicks or KY on medals instead of vaseline ? Vaseline isn't supposed to be used for what you are suggesting.....here's another interesting fact...the man who invented vaseline ate a teaspoon of it every day till he died, and lived to be almost a hundred.....bing it and see.

[fdodge]

Has anyone ever tried vicks or KY on medals instead of vaseline ? Vaseline isn't supposed to be used for what you are suggesting.....here's another interesting fact...the man who invented vaseline ate a teaspoon of it every day till he died, and lived to be almost a hundred.....bing it and see.

I'm doing the same thing with good whiskey and Camel cigarettes. A little over half way to a centurion. I'll let you know how it turns out.
And Vaseline is used in many ways it wasn't designed for, successfully.

[panzer1432]

Perhaps I am wrong but I don't mess with any of my badges. I keep all of my badges, helmets, etc... in a nice cool dry room with no direct sunlight. I don't clean or mess with anything.

[fdodge]

Perhaps I am wrong but I don't mess with any of my badges. I keep all of my badges, helmets, etc... in a nice cool dry room with no direct sunlight. I don't clean or mess with anything.

Do you live near the coast?
I did the same thing for years and the pest showed up on a couple of badges after about 5 or 6 years of living in the dark, cool and dry.

[juoneen]

I personally do not clean stuff....but The salt air on the coast is corrosive over time,(thats why asthmatics live in huntington beach) , so plastic bags would also be a good option ...and if you have a swamp cooler , then you have to worry about anything metal you may have, that may take on moisture and oxidize like weapons , etc...so on thecoast.....ac is best to cool your house or man cave.

[Darrell]

....here's another interesting fact...the man who invented vaseline ate a teaspoon of it every day till he died, and lived to be almost a hundred.....;.

What they didn't say was he started eating it a week before his 100th birthday.

[Dedman]

IMO RenWax works great...

[panzer1432]

Do you live near the coast?
I did the same thing for years and the pest showed up on a couple of badges after about 5 or 6 years of living in the dark, cool and dry.

Los Angeles. Pretty far from the ocean. We do get some hot weather. 85 temp today. I think cool, 65 to 72 temp and no prolonged sunlight, especially on helmets (decals) is good. I think everything looks pretty good. Just as I bought it. Some items, 30 yrs +.