Protective finish on antique militeria?

I have seen in museums, numerous metal military items that are coated with a transparent protective finish. It looks like polyurethane or a similar product. Can someone tell me what it is? --TIA

Probably clear lacquer. It won't harm metal and is easy to remove later without doing any harm either. My wife has two silver commemorative plates that were tarnished. I polished them bright, sprayed with clear lacquer and they are still bright almost twenty years later. Lacquer dries to touch in about 30 minutes. Poly can take days.

HTH,

Emri

Museum's use a fine quality paste wax on metal surfaces. I used to know the name of the product but time has erased it from memory... Just don't use automobile wax. A light rubbing of Linseed oil also helps to prevent rust on metal objects.

I think Renaissance Wax is (or used to be) used by museums.

Ah yes, that's it...Renaissance Wax

This is good to know as I am trying to see if a local museum will allow me to volunteer to help in the preservation and research of their weapons collection. Being able to preserve these weapons is, I feel, an important skill that is worth learning, should I end up with a collection of my own one day :)

Here are some industrial coatings for rust prevention:

Birchwood Casey - Rust Preventives