How to strip the beachsand and rust encrustation off of old finds???

[bdahunter]

Has anyone had experience with using acid to strip the limestone build up that occurs with ferrous relics that have been submerged for a long time in saltwater and beachsand? In theory I should be able to break down the calcium carbonate build up using the acid (safety precautions taken naturally) but the ferrous oxide component of the build up may be a little harder to dissolve.
I don't want to damage the finds but mechanical removal is not effective as the finds shatter when the crud is being chipped away, so a chemical solution seems to be the answer.
I would think that an acid would work better than a caustic agent like quick lyme.
Anyone with experience cleaning marine finds like these??

[attachment 29945 FathersDayweekendfinds007Medium.jpg]


Thanks for any and all help,

BDA
[attachment 29946 aad783.gif]

 

[Gulf Hunter]

I love yer pirate icon. Is that gonna be yer banner mate? Of course I would recommend a little editing. "Surrender The Booty", would be more appropriate in me humble opinion.

 

[bdahunter]

Booty is Booty, some booty is just finer than others. However, if you think "the booty" sounds better than "your booty", how about:
[attachment 29951 redscarf35.gif][attachment 29952 u2058.gif]


OR

[attachment 29953 crimsonpirate35.gif][attachment 29954 u2053.gif]

Or My Personal Favorite

[attachment 29955 aad56.gif][attachment 29956 u2059.gif]

HH Maties!

BDA

 

[rockyredbaron]

I like the first original one just change the word "Your" to "The"

 

[Martin(Qc)]

Found it in the domenican republic last winter. There was a thick incrustration. Only acid i had on hand was my gold test acid, but a few drops on the coin did mutch better than electrolysis or anything else i've tryed. So I guess a cheaper acid (muriatic) would do the trick. Maybe if disolved in a good part of water...and patience. Or pure but with fumes.
Let us know what turns out !

 

[bdahunter]

You're absolutely right about the fumes if the acid is undiluted, smells like rotten eggs and it burns the eyes, nose and throat even with a mask on. That and the possible explosion if you add water to acid instead of acid to water, heavy gloves, face shield and a water source to rinse off any splashes.
Merci,

BDA

 

[RobRcer]

n/t

 

[Steve A]

You might want to check out this site: http://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/ANTH605/File0.htm
It has a lot of info. Good luck Steve

 

[Steve A]

You might want to check out this site, it has a lot of info. Good luck Stevehttp://nautarch.tamu.edu/class/ANTH605/File0.htm

 

[bdahunter]

Well I'll just have to experiment with the added info from this site plus what I've already tried. Mechanical stripping has already proven to be a dud for me, guess that just leave electrolytic reaction.

Hopefully I will have cleaned finds to post soon.

Thanks Again,

BDA

 

[Explorer]

If you want to try a milder acid to strip calcium you can use vinegar.
It is a lot slower and will not eat the iron or other metal that may be encrusted like muriatic acid. Just put it in a plastic pail, cover the piece with vinegar, set in the sun to warm the acid, leave till clean.

 

[bdahunter]

I've tried using vinegar before to break down the limestone, it works to a point but you still have to mechanically break the crust off and that's the point at which I am losing my find.
Vinegar certainly is safer to use than muriatic though so I think the best approach will be to soak the finds in a vinegar bath and then use electrolysis to shed the crud.
I am hoping to post a before and after pic of these finds, assuming that they don't just crumble to dust when I clean them.

Cheers,

BDA

 

[Explorer]

bdahunter
The items I find crusted out here in west Texas muriatic is too corrosive and will eat the iron, copper or brass objects. It softens and makes cleaning the caliche off easier. I would like to hear what the professional conservators use to salvage marine corroded artifacts.

Looking forward to see the results.

 

[bdahunter]

I've soaked a few of the finds in a vinegar and water solution for the past few days. Next step is to freeze the finds overnight and then thermal shock them by immersion in boiling water. The last step will be electrolysis.
By the weekend I hope to have some good finds to show you.

Cheers,

BDA

 

[thirdbornau]

Hi Hunter,

If you really want to know what is inside your large relics have you thought of sand blasting it. I have had houshold items sandblasted they had no dmage at all they came up like new.

Regards Maureen..

 

[bdahunter]

Thanks 3rdborn, I have tried vinegar to break down the calcium (very slow) and thermal shock (not effective) perhaps sand or water blasting would work. Now I just have to get a sandblaster; lots of sand in Bermuda but not many sandblasters, a powerwasher should be doable though.

Cheers,

BDA