M16 Restoration Project

**NZEF2** · 03-08-2014, 07:13 AM

As an update the helmet is now almost clean. By the time it is would have been in vinegar nearly a month. The vat is now almost black and it has done a great job in cleaning the shell. Check out what the vat looks like now, helmet is submerged under that evil looking sludge. Not a process for the impatient yet it has worked, I can recommend this over using a dangerous higher strength acid. After it has been cleaned to satisfaction I'll then be giving the shell a gun browning treatment using Birchwood Casey Plum Brown prior to filling and sanding the defects. Will post more pics of the shell once fully stripped.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 03-08-2014 07:13 AM

We also buy and trade your items and full collections!

**Steelhead10** · 03-08-2014, 07:33 AM

Doing good cant wait to see it when it is finished (but I am one of the inpatient ones)

**NZEF2** · 03-08-2014, 07:36 AM

by Steelhead10

Doing good cant wait to see it when it is finished (but I am one of the inpatient ones)

Cheers Matt,
Patience isn't my strong point either, it's been agonizing really but I've seen steady progress otherwise I might have given up with this approach. Should only be a few days now.

regards,
Ian

**Steelhead10** · 03-08-2014, 07:49 AM

OK Ian, I think it will looks as good as the day it was made when you have done

**James C** · 03-08-2014, 09:54 AM

ian is the vineger duluted or used neat

**NZEF2** · 03-08-2014, 10:08 AM

by James C

ian is the vineger duluted or used neat

Hi James C,

It's neat, vinegar is apparently around 8% acetic acid so figured diluting it wouldn't help any. It took 10-12 liters to cover the helmet on a tilt in that pot. The girlfriend has instructed me to dispose of it afterwards, probably very sensible....a plastic container would have been better. She wants a stainless steel stock pot for her birthday to replace the dreaded aluminum, off to the scrap metal merchants with it now.

Ian

**Steelhead10** · 03-19-2014, 05:40 PM

Hows the Restoration going?

**NZEF2** · 03-20-2014, 06:48 AM

by Steelhead10

Hows the Restoration going?

Helmet has been in the evil vat of vinegar (which is now black) now for a month and is almost clean. It has been somewhat frustrating to have taken this long but the end is in sight. The rim of the helmet proved to be the most stubborn for some reason, everything else fell off in no time. Will post pics hopefully within the next week and we're in business.

**NZEF2** · 03-22-2014, 07:32 AM

Yay, at long last here's what the helmet looks like after having the last of the annoying plate removed with my dremel and repeated coats of browning agent applied (scroll down). Focused on the rim as the idea is to knock paint off here and there to give it some character. Next will be carefully filling and sanding the cracks. Could actually leave it as is in relic condition but I have a vision. Enjoy!

**NZEF2** · 03-22-2014, 11:59 PM

Helmet has now been repaired using a multipurpose two part polymer which sets rock hard in about an hour. Carefully taped off prior to sanding to preserve as much of the lovely brown patina as possible. Then masked off and a good thick layer of sanding primer added which should once sanded hide most of the blemishes.