Rule #1 of caring for items in your collection (or care)

[Les]

Rule #1: don't do anything to an item that can or will harm it in the long run; if it can't be reversed or undone then you might not want to do anything you might think is "helping" to improve it's condition.

For example, some people like shiny medals and metal items. Removing the surface finish from items may in fact be far more harmful than people realize. Often, protective finishes are applied to items when they were newly made, to prevent or control rust, or oxidization. Over cleaning or polishing may remove that protective layer, and the item may start to rust or corrode in an unpredictable manner. A browned metal surface on iron or steel item that has occurred naturally over time, the result of chemical reactions that have formed what may be a protective layer over the underlying iron or steel.

If you see -red- rust, remove it or stabilize the rust so it doesn't keep rusting. If it's brown or black rust, the chemical "rusting" or "oxidization" is relatively harmless if left alone. Removing brown or black rust on swords, gun barrels, or even helmets may not be the thing to do. If you remove the browned or blackened finish, you can't put it back, and by handling the item, fingerprints leave marks that can cause rust, bare metal can pick up moisture and start rusting, etc. This is an example of "leave it alone" because you may do more harm than good.

Oh yes....and as an aside. Buy several pairs of cheap cotton gloves for when you handle your collection, even if it's only a few pieces. If you don't want to buy gloves, keep a few cotton handkerciefs around for handling items. This helps prevent body oils and moisture which can lead to rust, tarnishing, dirt/grundge buildup, etc. A simple thing....thinking ahead a little bit, and trying to prevent problems from forming is much simpler and cheaper than having to fix a problem -we've- created.

Les

Rule #2: don't forget rule number 1.

Edited May 7, 2006 by Les

[Ed_Haynes]

Hear hear!!

[Ralph A]

Cotton gloves are essential... body oils damage fabrics...

If you've been wondering why that old ribbon - which had been OK for years - suddenly decomposed, now you know.

[Ralph A]

On the other hand, materials such as leather or pearl need a gentle fondling to retain vibrancy. Like a good woman...

[Steve K.]

On the other hand, materials such as leather or pearl need a gentle fondling to retain vibrancy. Like a good woman...

Also, wood (as in wood handled bayonets and scabbards or briar wood of pipes) need oils to stay 'healthy' and not crack, just like Ralph A mentions for leather. Sometimes the oils from your skin is enough but also a tiny amount of boiled linseed oil can help.