What's new
British Ordnance Collectors Network

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Any suggestions for cleaning & preserving my 5cm mortar rounds and carrying case?

W

WWIIBuff

Well-Known Member
Hello Gents,

I picked up this case of German 5cm mortar rounds late last year, and have been wanting to clean them up a bit, as well as the carrying case. Everything is covered with dirt dust and oxidation dust. I do not want to harm the original finish, but I do not see a need for leaving everything so dirty.

Can anyone suggest a method or product to use for cleaning these, and perhaps also a method for preserving them so they don't oxidize so much in the future? Any help would be appreciated.
 

Attachments

  • 2620 (2) web.jpg
    2620 (2) web.jpg
    108.1 KB · Views: 83
To remove dirt and dust and to preserve I would clean down with WD40 not sure if you have this in the US. Check first that WD40 doesn't affect any ink or paint stampings, should be OK with the plastic fuzes but I would use to clean and use silicone spray to finish on the plastic. Wipe around carefully and paper tags or stickers.
 
You have to decide what you want to portray. Do you want them to look as-dug, but clean? As-dug would be dirty.

You can soak all the pieces in evaporust and take off all the oxidation, but to prevent reoxidation you either need to either oil them, coat them with a clear coat of lacquer or something similar, or but them in a box filled with argon. The evaporust will remove the rust and any rust type coatings, like bluing, but it will leave the paint that is still bonded to the metal. If you do oil them, you have to be careful that the oil doesn't degrade the original paint.

I personally like the look of items that have been derusted, and then lightly oiled so I can see the original paint and markings.

Perhaps you should check out some postings of different types of cleaning, and decide what you like.
 
Ah yes, WD-40, the magic spray and it's many uses. We definitely have that here in the States, in fact the company is in San Diego where it was invented, only an hour from my house. I was actually wondering if WD-40 would work, so thanks for the confirmation.

I know it was not the greatest photo I posted, but these are not ground-dug, so I don't mind cleaning them up a bit.

Thank you for the replies gentlemen.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top