I have a rusty M1889 kürassierhelm shell with brass trim that I'm planning on restoring. It's brown and lightly pitted everywhere so I am considering using evaporust on the whole helmet. The inside is as bad as the outside so I plan on either dipping the shell in a bath of regular evaporust or using the gel formula with plastic wrap. It claims to be safe on brass. Can someone please share their experiences with evaporust products on a helmet? I will be buffing and polishing the dull surface afterwards. Thank you
Evaporust gel or liquid dip?
- Thread starter planzero
- Start date
ussguppy
Well-known member
Some pictures would help. I think most would generally advise not touching it. However, I understand there are situations where it makes sense.
Rust remover could stain the metal (it would look cloudy and not polish out. We had a ships bell that someone tried rust remover on, and it ruined the finish of the bell. Depending on the look of it, perhaps brasso is best if you must polish it.
Gabe
Rust remover could stain the metal (it would look cloudy and not polish out. We had a ships bell that someone tried rust remover on, and it ruined the finish of the bell. Depending on the look of it, perhaps brasso is best if you must polish it.
Gabe
I have restored several kurassier/jzp helmets. The first an m15 grey trim that I spent days on sanding with every conceivable device possible. You have to start with aggressive grit first and reduce to finer grits as you progress. You have to be careful not to sand too deeply on the badly pitted areas as you could thin the metal too much. I took it to a buffer and it polished out nicely as the steel has a high nickel content. The next few helmets were earlier brass trim and I had them dipped at a commercial shop that used alkaline baths. I still had to lightly sand the steel and buff, but it was much easier. Getting rid of the pits if you choose to do so depends on how much sanding effort you might choose to do. The brass trim can be wet sanded with progressively finer grits starting with 220 and ending with 600 or 1000 and then easily polished out with Semichrome or Flitz polish. I have used Evaporust on several projects that had full or partial painted surfaces and had good luck. You have to monitor the progress every hour or so and stop when you think you are no longer making progress. I have not experienced any damage to brass, but there are different types of brass, so be cautious if you try this method. I don’t see any reason the brass can’t be polished as I mentioned above. I haven’t used the gel so I can’t comment on it. Good luck!
ww1czechlegion
Well-known member
Take a look at this thread:
My latest find. An older model by all means (I would say, circa 1870):
- Polished steel (not plated)
- Short spike
- Flared lobstertail
- A single Prussian cockade on the right side
- Enlisted style leather liner
The helmet is 100% complete and original (but two of the spike base retaining studs)
The leather under the front...
- Polished steel (not plated)
- Short spike
- Flared lobstertail
- A single Prussian cockade on the right side
- Enlisted style leather liner
The helmet is 100% complete and original (but two of the spike base retaining studs)
The leather under the front...
So no one has tried the gel? I can buy the liquid at harbor freight and dip the whole thing but I'd have to order the gel online and it costs double the price. I guess that's a no brainer.
Gabe I've left these two (Prussian and French) cuirassier helmets alone for years and they do make a great pair sitting in my office. I'm just finally getting to the point of wanting to improve their current looks without going too overboard.
Sounds good Rkinkade thanks so much. I think I saw your thread and they look great. I have plenty of experience restoring antique swords the old fashioned method sanding to steel wool I just never had to deal with the intricacies of rust under brass trim and studs in the way of sanding hence the idea of using evaporust.
The 'old timer' looks fantastic however I have extensive pitting that will probably not smooth out but this is an inspiration for sure.
I should clarify I'm not trying to make this helmet look new especially since it's got some damage it would probably look bizarre. I never try to erase history with any project I just try to improve the current state. Everything I own still retains it's scars.
Here are some pictures, I assume it is an M1889 NCO model. Marked to the 8K on side. Mfg A.Klucke on visor. The spike is a replica and the wappen I had laying around. Note the remnants of plating on the visor and under one cockade, which happens to fit perfectly under a smaller 50mm cockade not the larger type. Coincidentally I found it about a week before I found an EM/NCO horse bit marked to the 8k.
Thanks for all the responses!
Gabe I've left these two (Prussian and French) cuirassier helmets alone for years and they do make a great pair sitting in my office. I'm just finally getting to the point of wanting to improve their current looks without going too overboard.
Sounds good Rkinkade thanks so much. I think I saw your thread and they look great. I have plenty of experience restoring antique swords the old fashioned method sanding to steel wool I just never had to deal with the intricacies of rust under brass trim and studs in the way of sanding hence the idea of using evaporust.
The 'old timer' looks fantastic however I have extensive pitting that will probably not smooth out but this is an inspiration for sure.
I should clarify I'm not trying to make this helmet look new especially since it's got some damage it would probably look bizarre. I never try to erase history with any project I just try to improve the current state. Everything I own still retains it's scars.
Here are some pictures, I assume it is an M1889 NCO model. Marked to the 8K on side. Mfg A.Klucke on visor. The spike is a replica and the wappen I had laying around. Note the remnants of plating on the visor and under one cockade, which happens to fit perfectly under a smaller 50mm cockade not the larger type. Coincidentally I found it about a week before I found an EM/NCO horse bit marked to the 8k.
Thanks for all the responses!
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Pontiac9999
Well-known member
That's some pretty deep pitting ! The Evaporust will work but you will be left with large pot marks in the steel. I have you Evaporust in the past and it is excellent stuff ! And it claims it does not harm brass.