The Armour Archive

I am noticing a very light dusting of rust on my new gear. Yes I have been oiling it regularly. I have not applied any wax yet. My question, what is the best method of rust removal without ruining the finish of the metal? Emery cloth, steel wool, fine grit sand paper?

Any tips and techniques would be appreciated.

What type of armor and what finish, Drogo? If it's a matte finish then just go with Scotch-Brite pads and a little oil. It gets to be problematic if you have a mirror or near mirror finish...

I would call it a satin finish. I will start with the scotch brite pads. I have feeling that will do it. It is a very, very light rust so far. I just didn't want to mar the surface of the metal or polish it to the point of a mirror finish. When I am done removing the rust, I am going to apply some turtle wax to help prevent future rust.

Yeah, for a satin finish I'd go with the scotch-brite pads. They are just "rough" enough to remove rust without polishing the metal. I've had a lot of luck with them over the years.

I use lanolin as a prevention method. When I do get rust, I use a green scrub pad and a bit of lanolin to clean it up.

Where does one acquire lanolin?

I think I got mine through the Green Boat Stuff website... not positive though. I get spray lanolin, sold as a marine lubricant. I have used the spreadable stuff... it's a bit more maintenance intensive.

I just did a chain hauberk with a bucket of evapo-rust from Pep Boys.

One hour soaking in the stuff removed probably 85% of the rust. It is my understanding that I can leave it in overnight, and it will do even more.

In the event that you do have a higher polish, or as another option with the satin finish, I would suggest getting rubbing compound from an automotive store. It's a very fine abrasive compound (2,000 grit or so, there are various grades). Put some on a cloth and rub-a-dub-dub.

Raulin Arbor wrote:Where does one acquire lanolin?

Pure lanolin can be found at many stores that sell breastfeeding "schtuff", as it's very good for cracked nipples, etc. Lansinoh is one brand. It'll be thick, like a cream, typically, although some cloth diapering places may have liquid lanolin for lanolizing wool diaper covers...

Also, amazon carries lanolin that is significantly cheaper than purchasing lansinoh.

I haven't purchased any yet, but based on a few different threads, I intend to use some of this on some scrap sheepskin to toss in the bag with my maille.

tlast wrote:I just did a chain hauberk with a bucket of evapo-rust from Pep Boys.

One hour soaking in the stuff removed probably 85% of the rust. It is my understanding that I can leave it in overnight, and it will do even more.

Yes, I regularly let my hauberk go overnight in the EvapoRust. Do not, however, let it go any longer than that - contrary to their advertising, Evapo Rust will, eventually, cause pitting. I have one not-so-pretty-anymore Del Tin sword to prove it.

Blaine de Navarre wrote:

tlast wrote:I just did a chain hauberk with a bucket of evapo-rust from Pep Boys.

One hour soaking in the stuff removed probably 85% of the rust. It is my understanding that I can leave it in overnight, and it will do even more.

Yes, I regularly let my hauberk go overnight in the EvapoRust. Do not, however, let it go any longer than that - contrary to their advertising, Evapo Rust will, eventually, cause pitting. I have one not-so-pretty-anymore Del Tin sword to prove it.

ACK! Duly noted, thank you.

There are a couple different brands of these and they are often available in your local hardware store. basically they are erasers impregnated with emery of different grits. They are good field expedients for rust.

Rust erasers are awesome.

Evapo-rust

http://www.evaporust.com/evaporust.html ... gwodLyQVqQ