Ex whitewash M35 KM to M40 specs

[helmuthunter]

Wow, just look at that oxidisation on that chinstrap .... Johnno.

[NARVIK1940]

Ex whitewash M35 KM to M40 specs

Lol!!!

[spoof]

Wow, just look at that oxidisation on that chinstrap .... Johnno.

Thats an internet collector for you.

[helmuthunter]

Thats an internet collector for you.

Lol...

[randywrap]

I completely disagree with this statement. This helmet has very typical x-whitewash characteristics. The build up around the vents, rivets and even some places on the leather is the key here.

And I'm not usually into KM helmets but this one is a beauty.

I also agree looks like some white on the strap... Very nice White washed helmet for me....

[Andy C.]

Won't get in the middle of that debate, I do indeed like the helmet though!!

[bigschuss]

Whitewash removal would still need a solvent.

Having no experience with applying or removing whitewash I'm now curious. Do you have firsthand experience? Does water not act like a solvent when removing a light whitewash treatment?

What most commonly found on a battlefield would be gasoline or diesel fuel which would severely damage the decal.

Again, do you have direct experience with this claim of severe damage or are you just speculating? I collect old tractors and the decals that have been exposed to gas and diesel and all kinds of grease and oil over the years do not show severe damage.

I have obtained many many helmets directly or indirectly from veterans. You would be surprised how many have a white film oxidation around the airvents and rivets..

Would love to see some!

[bigschuss]

Great pic of whitewash being applied…



And being removed…looks like it's coming off fairly easy. Can't be sure if that's gas or diesel in the bucket. I always thought water could remove whitewash.

[Bill Hermann]

Fantastic period pics Blair, thanks for sharing. I very much doubt there is any petroleum based product in that bucket as the soldier on the ground scrubbing the SK is having a ciggy by the look. Don't think the co would be too happy squandering precious fuel like that either in the depths of the steppe.
On a serious note though I believe elbow grease and water was required to remove whitewash, none of us where there so we can only study period pics as this .Regards Bill

[Andy C.]

Great period pics, I agree with Bill. Also agree that it would be mosty elbo grease and whatever they could find?? But one would have to think that these helmets were constantly wet, or near moisture/snow??
I once had a DD ex winter heer that looked like the soldier used his bayonet to remove his whitewash?? IMHO

[bigschuss]

Fantastic period pics Blair, thanks for sharing. I very much doubt there is any petroleum based product in that bucket as the soldier on the ground scrubbing the SK is having a ciggy by the look. Don't think the co would be too happy squandering precious fuel like that either in the depths of the steppe.
On a serious note though I believe elbow grease and water was required to remove whitewash, none of us where there so we can only study period pics as this .Regards Bill

I agree Bill. I highly doubt they are using petroleum as well. It certainly looks like water. Great catch on the guy smoking! Good eyes. Yes, I'd say that suggest that's not gas or diesel.

Blair

[NARVIK1940]

I owned one whitewashed helmet and it was covered with a thick chalky substance. It looked like it would come off with hard scrubbing with hot water. Wish I had kept it now!

[gadaru_kanaru]

What's the difference between whitewash and paint?

[gadaru_kanaru]

I collect old tractors and the decals that have been exposed to gas and diesel and all kinds of grease and oil over the years do not show severe damage.

With all due respect I don't think American tractor decals are comparable to German helmet decals unless we know for sure the composition of both are exactly the same. A substance simply spilling onto a decal is different than pressure being applied by rubbing to remove something with a solvent.

Collectors see a lot of decals that show serious loss of detail from having a layer paint removed. I own two LW helmets that were probably post-war Czech fire helmets that had black paint removed. Both decals outlines and bodies are 100% intact but the decals have lost most if not all of the black lines that make up the feathers, eyes, etc so I feel safe to say that some solvents do in fact damage some decals.

Whitewash and ex-whitewash helmets are a very interesting subject worthy of a thread by itself. I'm very confused by it all myself but feel that member Spoof has brought up some valid points.

[bigschuss]

With all due respect I don't think American tractor decals are comparable to German helmet decals unless we know for sure the composition of both are exactly the same. A substance simply spilling onto a decal is different than pressure being applied by rubbing to remove something with a solvent.

Collectors see a lot of decals that show serious loss of detail from having a layer paint removed. I own two LW helmets that were probably post-war Czech fire helmets that had black paint removed. Both decals outlines and bodies are 100% intact but the decals have lost most if not all of the black lines that make up the feathers, eyes, etc so I feel safe to say that some solvents do in fact damage some decals.

Whitewash and ex-whitewash helmets are a very interesting subject worthy of a thread by itself. I'm very confused by it all myself but feel that member Spoof has brought up some valid points.

Hey no worries. No offense. I was just using the decals as an example to begin the conversation…a comparison. I'd like to learn about this too. Does whitewash require a solvent to be removed as Spoof suggested? Or is that just his speculation. The picture I posted seems to suggest whitewash removes easily with a non-petroleum based liquid and elbow grease. Also, will a decal really suffer severe damage from diesel or gas as Spoof suggested, or again, is this just his speculation?

I think an experiment is in order!