Rust Removal
bill tindall
>While at Winterthur I was able to meet with the person responsible for metal conservation. I asked him if electrolysis was used to conserve rusty museum objects.
"Not any more" was the answer. While Winterthur had two large electrolysis tanks, they are no longer used. The current "fashion" is to leave the pieces looking old and "rusty", while at the same time preventing further deterioration. Now rusty pieces are gently abraded with burshes and/or "sand blasting" with soft media. The loose rust is removed and the removal process stopped at various stages depending on how "rusty" a final look is desired.
However, objects recovered from the sea are subjected to electrolysis because it removes chloride which is essential for preservation.