Protective finish on antique militeria?

[RBruce]

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

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Emri]

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

[Pattern14]

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.

[scbair]

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

[Pattern14]

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

[spinecracker]

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

[bobvz]

Here are some industrial coatings for rust prevention:

Birchwood Casey - Rust Preventives