|
|
Post by brawnybuck on Jan 18, 2019 20:09:46 GMT
Greetings everyone,
I've got a question I hope you can help me with. I've got a suit of steel armor and each piece has leather straps. That's fairly typical. However, because I move around a lot and can't always properly store my armor, it tends to get rusted. Which means I go through a whole day of trying to polish it (with mixed success) every time I'm about to wear it out. It's a fairly tedious and exhausting process of scraping with steel wool and Noxon steel polish.
Recently, I learned that soaking the armor in vinegar for a day prior to polishing greatly helps in removing the oxidation from the steel. However, I'm worried about what the vinegar might do to the leather straps. Does anyone have any insight on this? Is there a better way for me to polish my armor without damaging the straps?
Thank you.
|
|
|
|
Post by demonskull on Jan 20, 2019 13:57:20 GMT
First removing the straps would be the best way to clean it. If that isn't possible you can clean as you normally do and then apply a thin coating of clean lacquer. As far as storing the armor, after use wipe it down with a clean dry towel to remove any moisture both external and internal. Place the armor in a large zippered storage bag. A large duffle works well but if you don't have one buy a Christmas tree storage bag. Once the armor is in the bag throw in some silica gel packs. Silica gel absorbs water from the air. You can get them easily enough, they are used to ship shoes, baseball mitts and fabric clothing so make friends with someone in a local store and ask them to give you some. About 20 small packets or 6 large packets will do. Put the duffle/tree bag in a large heavy duty garbage bag and seal with a zip tie.
You shouldn't have any issue the next time you go to use you armor. If you don't want to lacquer the armor then lightly oil it and follow the rest of the procedure.
Good Luck
|
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Jan 20, 2019 14:35:40 GMT
I’m not sure about Noxon polish, but I use 000 steel wool with WD-40 to clean rust off. Demonskull’s storage method should work, I use a slight twist to it. Store the armour in a breathable bag. A duffle bag should work fine. I use plastic bags but do not seal. Whatever you use must breathe or you will get rust for sure. For descant I use mothballs. Believe it or not they work and are easier for me to get, been using them for decades. My SOP is to clean off all finger prints, dust with WD-40, drop in plastic bag, throw in a hand full of mothballs, fold bag without sealing and mark the bag’s content on the outside of bag.
|
|
Ifrit
Member
More edgy than a double edge sword
Posts: 3,284
|
Post by Ifrit on Jan 20, 2019 19:00:36 GMT
First removing the straps would be the best way to clean it. If that isn't possible you can clean as you normally do and then apply a thin coating of clean lacquer. As far as storing the armor, after use wipe it down with a clean dry towel to remove any moisture both external and internal. Place the armor in a large zippered storage bag. A large duffle works well but if you don't have one buy a Christmas tree storage bag. Once the armor is in the bag throw in some silica gel packs. Silica gel absorbs water from the air. You can get them easily enough, they are used to ship shoes, baseball mitts and fabric clothing so make friends with someone in a local store and ask them to give you some. About 20 small packets or 6 large packets will do. Put the duffle/tree bag in a large heavy duty garbage bag and seal with a zip tie. You shouldn't have any issue the next time you go to use you armor. If you don't want to lacquer the armor then lightly oil it and follow the rest of the procedure. Good Luck Spray on lacquer? Or is there a rub on kind? |
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Jan 20, 2019 19:07:37 GMT
I never tried spraying on lacquer so I can’t tell you from personal experience. But several of my military buddies did this with brass. It worked for awhile and then they needed to clean off the lacquer adding to the work.
|
|
Ifrit
Member
More edgy than a double edge sword
Posts: 3,284
|
Post by Ifrit on Jan 20, 2019 20:58:09 GMT
I never tried spraying on lacquer so I can’t tell you from personal experience. But several of my military buddies did this with brass. It worked for awhile and then they needed to clean off the lacquer adding to the work. What's your advice to weather proof armour? As unrelated to the thread as that question is. Sorry brawn for the hijack. I'll get outta your hair in a bit lol |
|
pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
|
Post by pgandy on Jan 21, 2019 1:45:04 GMT
What's your advice to weather proof armour? As unrelated to the thread as that question is. Sorry brawn for the hijack. I'll get outta your hair in a bit lol If you are talking steel, I’d keep a can of WD-40 handy as that is readily available. The best I’ve found is LPS-3, the manufacturer states a 2 year protection and I believe it. Auto wax is also an alternative but is hard to get it into the cracks and crevices, and forget it with regards to mail. I leave it as applied. That doesn’t make for an attractive finish but I know it’s there. It will dry so it won’t collect debris. The stuff I have in the open I’ll wipe down regularly with a paper towel and WD-40. While that gear looks clean it always turns those towels a dark gray due to the volcanic ash in the air. That sort of reminds me of the days of coal burning steam locomotives. If you are talking leather I keep mine well greased, that includes my hats, boots, belts, all. I don’t think the type is all that important so whatever is available there in Canada would do as a start then change if not satisfactory. Check with Amazon as they have loads of the stuff. I use a product out of Colombia manufactured by Búfalo called Protexol and the lid states “GRASA DE PROTRO” (grease from colts). I wish I had access to this stuff when in the military, it’s the best I’ve come across. |
|
|
|
Post by demonskull on Jan 21, 2019 2:42:45 GMT
Spray on lacquer? Or is there a rub on kind? I was talking about using a paint brush to apply the lacquer. |
|
Ifrit
Member
More edgy than a double edge sword
Posts: 3,284
|
Post by Ifrit on Jan 21, 2019 2:51:51 GMT
Spray on lacquer? Or is there a rub on kind? I was talking about using a paint brush to apply the lacquer. Does lacquer give off a lot of fumes? |
|
|
|
Post by demonskull on Jan 21, 2019 3:07:54 GMT
Not too bad, just open the window or do it outside if possible.
|
|
|
|
Post by brawnybuck on Feb 24, 2019 14:27:38 GMT
Thanks for your replies everyone. I'll give these a try just as soon as I can and post which one works the best.
|
|
