Need to know the best way to remove rust from an old crucifix I found.?
Question:My husband found a crucifix several weeks ago, in an area out west that had been uninhabited for many years. The cross was found buried about ten inches deep. It appears to be homemade, you can see tool marks and I am assuming it is from a Rosary (sp?) rather than a necklace because of the unusual interlocking "s" shape of the metal leading off of the cross. My question is, because I do not know what kind of metal it is and the rust is so prevasive, what is the best way to remove the rust and not damage the original metal? Thank you to everyone who responds!
Answers:
don't use naval jelly on this item. you want to use washing soda in solution with water. submerse the item and connect one side to an automotive battery charger. then connect the other battery charger lead to a piece of scrap steel and submerse it in the washing soda solution. be sure that the two metal pieces don't touch. the combination of the washing soda and the electric current will remove only the rust and will not damage the metal.
Oh dear...
Rust is like cancer. When they salvage rusted materials from water, etc., they are professionally treated for weeks to prevent the rust from spreading wildly in oxygen...
I'd say, keep it very dry, in a Ziplock bag, until you can consult with someone about the best way to clean it. It may be a historic artifact and you want someone who know what he is doing to deal with it...
Personally, I'd leave the rust on rather than trying to take it off and damage the metal-at least for now. I would take it to a local antique shop and try to find out more about it from them. Likewise maybe find out who owned the land there and try to find out about it that way. If by chance the land was owned by someone of historical consequence, your piece could be valuable. You never know what something could be worth. To clean it may be damaging it's value. It doesn't hurt to wait.
CLR or some white full strength vinegar
Auto parts stores usually have navel jelly. It is a gentle rust remover that is sort of like Vaseline. Read the directions and it should work fine.
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