Help!!!Is This Zinc Pest?

[keifer kahn]

Hi John,
Zink pest comes in different forms.Powdery type to the hard opaque type.Some require shorter or longer periods of application than others.
The six hour check is just what i do.Sometimes ive been able to at the first 6 hour check,been able to remove the pest without having to leave the vaseline on any longer. In a 24 hour application cycle(if the zinkpest is very bad),i just like to check 1/4 way,1/2 way and so on.This is simply the way i do it.


Vaseline damaging zink?
Hardly,its never happened to anything ive owned.I doubt very much if something that is safe to be applied to human private parts and babys behinds,is going to damage a zink badge.
.

Colin,
Tombak has copper in it.It cant get zinkpest but it can get verdigris because of its copper content.

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The only negative effect that you may find with vaseline is that it darkens down the gold wash that you find on some badges. Otherwise no negative effects have been observed upto now.

I would also avoid washing such zinc badges. Just wipe the vaseline off with a soft cloth. The vaseline leaves a protective coating on the surface of the badge which prevents air and moisture getting at it.

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[mrg]

Hi all, what a great thread. Not long ago i noticed my own mint looking zinc HSF F.O badge had started to show signs of tuning a light grey around the wreath. I thought this was the first sign of zinc pest. Is that right?. Secondly my badges are stored in plastic sleves and have been for several years, i check them regular but have nowhere else to display them. Is this safe. All opinions welcome.

[Frank Heukemes]

Hi mrg,

No, it is not safe, plastic sleeves are moisture traps, not to mention any effect the plastic might have on your badges long term.

[J.von Canon]

affects...

Hi John,
Zink pest comes in different forms.Powdery type to the hard opaque type.Some require shorter or longer periods of application than others.
The six hour check is just what i do.Sometimes ive been able to at the first 6 hour check,been able to remove the pest without having to leave the vaseline on any longer. In a 24 hour application cycle(if the zinkpest is very bad),i just like to check 1/4 way,1/2 way and so on.This is simply the way i do it.


Vaseline damaging zink?
Hardly,its never happened to anything ive owned.I doubt very much if something that is safe to be applied to human private parts and babys behinds,is going to damage a zink badge.
.

Colin,
Tombak has copper in it.It cant get zinkpest but it can get verdigris because of its copper content.

I have been collecting badges many years and I still use vaseline on these German zinc badges too...
I dab it on with a Q-tip about every 6-8 months,check by wiping off & reapply.
As someone mentioned-it stops further corrosion but does not address what damage is already present...
But as an aside,that is ok for zinc but NOT for other "similar" metals;I once applied vaseline to a American Revolutionary War coat button made of old and fragile pewter-the button crumbled!

[mrg]

Thanks for the reply Frank. That is not good news. Dont know what else i can do as I have already said i have no room to display them. Anything safe they can be packed away in ? . After all they are my pride and joy apart from the wife and kids of course

[John T]

Hi guys...thank you for the useful info on the vaseline process..the other day I used some petroleum jelly (I did not have vaseline but had a generic brand) on an eagle on a badge and it came out pretty good. The only thing I notice is that when you are removing the vaseline be careful to get it out of all the crevices as it seems to find its way into those parts. Also, on a past thread a collector said to remove the vaseline with alchohol as he claimed water could start the zinc pest process all over...I would think this could happen if you do not remove all the water or if somehow some remains in say the crevices....I used warm water and soap and dried if off immediately.

John

[Frank Heukemes]

Hi mrg,

I would use small carton boxes or similar.

Cheers,

Frank

[Lynton Battrick]

Washing..

Hi Frank,what is your opinion on jsut removing the majority of the Vaseline with a cloth,but not washing it?I would like to get this right as I don't fancy messing up this badge!
Thanks and regards,Lynton.

[Terrence]

I wipe my zinc badges with Vaseline, mount all my medals in framed groups, and place dessicant packages behind the mounting material. Although, when we gat back to Arizona, the humidity and pollution problem will resolve.

Just a note, Vaseline is a petroleum product and thus not water soluble. Also not recommended for use with latex condoms as it interacts with them and lends itself to breakage (a little pharmacy chemistry).

Best regards,
Terrence

Hi mrg,

I would use small carton boxes or similar.

Cheers,

Frank

[hagwalther]

Hi There,

Been watching this thread with interest.

Question: should I coat all my zink badges with a thin film of Vaseline to prevent zinkpest or other corrosion damage?

Many Thanks...

[keifer kahn]

This will be my last comment on this subject as i cant believe something as basic as zinkpest removal is on a 2nd page.Perhaps its that i collect groundug items and zinkpest is par for the course.

No,vaseline isnt water soluble but i thought the reference to "SOAPY WATER" was a clue.You need to add a tiny drop of dishwashing detergent to the water.That breaks it down.
Why not leave it on long term?
Because no one has ever done a study on the effects of vaseline long term on zink badges.It would probaly be fine(short tem certainly) but know one knows.So with out knowing the long term effects ,id rather play safe than sorry.Removing it simply returns it to its pre vaseline state.
Poeple also dont look at badges that have vaseline smeared all over them as attractive as an untouched badge.
In regards to water,
If you cant apply a bit of soapy water to a badge and dry it off properly,without damaging it,then you have problems or simply dont have a clue what you are doing.

Lyntton,
The way you are analysing each step for such a simple and very basic procedure is telling me that you should leave it alone.As i said,i collect groundug items and zinkpest is something i deal with all the time.i have my own system which has always worked efficiently for me.

Hag walther,
If you store your badges,out of plastic bags/sleeves and in a 50% humidty environment you will have absolutely no problems with zinkpest and you will never have to apply vaseline.

[John T]

Here is the badge I used petroleum jelly on (I did not have vaseline so used a generic brand)...I do not know how good you will be able to see the differences but in hand the eagle is much better.


Before picture..note the zinc pest on the belly of the eagle and on the swastika:

[John T]

Here is the "after" shot...note how I did not fully remove the petroleum jelly by the crevice behind the tail...I will get a cue-tip and do that now..but you can at any rate see the improvement to the swastika and belly:

[Lynton Battrick]

Thanks!

[Quote]

Lyntton,
The way you are analysing each step for such a simple and very basic procedure is telling me that you should leave it alone.As i said,i collect groundug items and zinkpest is something i deal with all the time.i have my own system which has always worked efficiently for me.

Hi,
Yes it is a simple procedure!But reading the linked thread on Page 1 and from the repies on this thread,It's obvious that there are conflicting views on this matter.
I have just been getting a general idea on different peoples approach to the matter,to base my own action on.
Thanks for all the replies,
Regards,Lynton.