What does everyone use

[Andy can]

to seal their iron relics after they are restored as well as can be?

 

[Anonymous]

I put a nice urethane clearcoat on mine.

 

[Andy can]

Thanks Eugene, I was beginning to wonder if anyone found iron artifacts, or didn't preserve them, or are keeping it a secret. Not much response for a relic forum.

 

[Anonymous]

Andy:
You want to use what conservators use (a process that is reversible). And That is Tannic Acid (8 Ts to 100 ml of Methanol- 20% solution) in an old detergent bottle and paint on with an acid flux brush. This is available through weavers and spinner supply companies and is a natural dye. You can also get it from the Internet. OR use Rustoleum Rust Reformer (fishoil-based phospheric acid). Paint it on the same way. Both produce a solid dark chocolate shiny surface to your relic. It is very important that relic is dry before applying coating. Any water trapped in surface will degrade surface later. Looks like a fine hand axe.

Hope this helps.

DP

 

[Anonymous]

I run most of my iron relics through my electrolysis tank. The great thing is that when they come out after treatment they are very close in coloration as they would have been before being buried. In my opinion they look more natural and don't appear to have been painted. I generally blow the air off and spray some wax and grease remover on them. I wipe this off and then apply two light urethane coats to protect the artifact. No dyes and a protectant that is easily removed if required.

The main thing is to not use something that attacks the integrity of the iron itself.

 

[Andy can]

Thankyou Dave for the info...