german m40 helmet rusted

[bigredone]

i just purchased this m40 helmet. it was dug up from stalingrad in 2006 and has not been cleaned at all. looks like some battle dammage in the back. should i do anything to it? i would like to remove the rust and see what lies beneath.. any sugestions?

[NickD]

i doubt you'll find anything under that rust i think its to far gone for that but still a nice relic

[Dimas]

There is nothing under the rust, is only rust craters

[bigredone]

so should i leave it the way it is? or should i do anything to preserve it?

[Adrian Stevenson]

Leave it be. Nothing needs to be done. Just enjoy it.

Cheers, Ade.

[Ty Revelo]

If you try to remove the rust there won't be anything left of the helmet. It is a nice piece as is.

Ty

[Miahurricanes83]

I agree with all the other posters. Cleaning this would also do more damage then good when its at this stage.

[Zeller]

As said already, there will be nothing under the rust. You have two choices: you leave it as it is which is what i would recommend since it seems pretty solid, or you go through a mild restoration. But you should have some basic experience in that otherwise you may have the helmet damaged.
I usually wash such lids with a product called REMOX (water 10 parts Remox 1 part) for 30 minutes (it's a product based on chloridric acid I believe). Then wash again with sodium bicarbonate to remove acid parts.
Then, another bath with water and Oxalic acid (also well diluited...1:10) for 30/45 minutes. Then you wash it well with water and let it dry. Remox will stabilize the rust and the oxalic acid will enlighten the remains of colour.
Zeller

[bigredone]

ok thanks. it will stay as is

[bigredone]

i paid 30 bucks for it and im having it shipped from latvia. i know it doesnt hold much value but i think value is in the eye of the beholder. it tells an interesting story from the bloodiest battle in history.. thats good enough for me