Hello /diy/.
Can anyone recommend me a non destructive way to clean surface rust of items? I have some archaeological finds I want to clean. The only thing I want to do is clean off some of the rust while preserving patina and remaining traces of wood.
I looked at some detectorist sites and the methodes seem shit.
>Wire brush and wd40
>Sand blast it!
>Soak it in Acid.
Doubt that' a good idea. Pic somewhat related.
Thanks
I don't think you understand what a patina is. But anyway if the items are valuable don't do anything except maybe clean off the dirt. If they're tools soak in white vinegar or rust off. Probably just do the former if they're "archaeological" and have some significance as it sounds like you're going to fuck them up as you still have to have some preservation plan after you clean them.
If you're just cleaning off some old arrowheads you dug out of a field because you want them to look nicer in a shadow box in your den they make non-acid rust removers intended for restoration of rusty old vintage shit. One example:
http://www.workshophero.com/de-rust-antiques.aspx
If they're more rust than iron you don't clean them at all.
Some light reading on the subject:
http://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1345&context=neha
>I have some archaeological finds I want to clean
Are you a complete idiot?
DO NOT CLEAN THEM.
you you must do anything use a soft toothbrush to remove loose soil, etc.
DO NOT REMOVE CORROSION
doing so you are eliminating all archaeological data. You are making the objects worthless.
Again, do NOT "Clean" them. For the love of god.
Also photos of the objects.
>>1001777
Electrolysis. The solution is nothing more than water and washing soda. All the rust moves from the object onto the rebar.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Electrolytic-Rust-Removal-aka-Magic/
instructables thread decribing in full detail
>>1001850
Also, if you plan to do this, be careful. You will see a lot of bubbling while it's powered. those bubbles are hydrogen leaving the equation. That means NO OPEN FLAME.
>>1001854
its also value boiling off your objects as you destroy them, and any worth they had, or the flammable fumes of any archaeologist who hears you've gone it.
>>1001777
Brush with a stiff bristle brush then gently wash in warm soapy water, dry off with a hair drier (don't do this to old wood only iron), brush once more then dip into or brush on melted wax, you now have a stable item that will not rust for a very very long time as long as it's kept indoors.
If the item is museum quality then you really need to get it professionally looked at before you attempt to clean and preserve it yourself.
>>1001840
This, familia
look up evaporust. the stuff works wonder, super easy and safe.
>>1001777
>archaeological finds
>I want to clean
no
no
no
no
no
no
If you must clean them place them in a bucket with clean sand and a little light oil. Close bucket and shake it around a little. Blow off residue with compressed air.
>>1001777
Don't clean it, please. Also pic.
>>1001777
Don't clean them, like others have said you will ruin their value.
If you still insist:
Ammonia and chlorine, then breathe deeply the fumes and wait for death before putting the items in.
>>1001777
dont clean them, they are worth more if you dont clean them.
>>1001777
just keep them dry
don't remove anythig, just loose parts
>allowing iron/steel items to rust to dust is somehow better than removing the rust so they last theoretically forever
Never understood this ideal. Even if you oil rust it will continue to oxidize deeper and destroy it entirely.
>>1001777
sometimes the rust can be considered patina, and cleaning it off will kill the value of the item.
anyhow, i always jsut gas blow tourch it off and use a wire brush to help
>>1001777
there is a reason why museums exist, anon. Hand it over.
>>1001777
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLaBFkeHG0A
>>1003562
please dont give this idiot any more ideas of ways to destroy archaeological objects.
>>1003562
I checked those out last year thinking, damn we could have a lot of use for that... then you get to the price and oh my fucking god.
I tried my hand at Electrolysis. Was super neat.
This was the tub. I used graphite air arcing rods as anodes.
>>1003925
was ultra effective.
>>1003925
The power supply I used was a modified computer power supply unit.
>>1003925
Each part takes 30-60 min.
>>1003925
No cleaning.
Wire up > dip in > turn on > Wait.
>>1003925
I have not done any thing with this.. kind of wasted potential.
