Removing rust from helmet

[real steel]

What can be used to remove or retard rust growth on a helmet ? Don't want to harm the surrounding patina or paint, just remove some of the oxidation.
Any ideas
Thanks

[Watchdog]

Well I'm not sure what brands are available in the US but there are basically two main types. Rust remover and rust converter. Rust remover as the name suggests dissolves rust back to stable metal but this of course leaves a bit of a pit in most cases. Rust converter wil again as the name suggests convert the rust into a hard black material with roughly the same deviation from flat of the surface as the original rust but it is stable and will not progress if done correctly. Most modern brands of both types are formulated to avoid damage to paint. A rust remover is acidic (Phosphoric acid) with all the issues that entails and is usually used when repainting is not intended. A rust converter will usually be non-toxic and creates a stable base for re-painting albeit not smooth. There are all manner of "home brew" recipes using things all the way from oxalic acid to vinegar but I think these are less precise therefore more hit and miss than proprietary media. I have used both removers and converters on painted metal before without damaging paintwork but it depends on the extent of corrosion what you want to achieve. Of course you should test a small area or even another insignificant item of similar nature before working on anything of value (sorry I know that is preaching to the converted but others will read this too). Examples of brands available in UK are Jenolite (which I think originates in the US) and Hammerite (not sure about that one).

I hope this helps

Regards

Mark

[real steel]

Thanks Mark
Yes...I will look into these or similar products with the same ingredients & test a small area first.
D.

[real steel]

The "Jenolite" is available on Amazon. Will give it a try. Thanks again Mark
D.

[real steel]

Here it is if you cannot find it

[MG42UK]

Once you start painting anything onto a helmet it alters its authenticity (IMO), I tend to spray the metal with WD40 or similar to give it a protective coating, rub off the excess (which also helps clean it) and then leave, the residue tends to dissolve in a week or so, then repeat annually or as needed.

Others may have tried the rust painting treatment and may testify it works and not to worry, so not saying it doesn't work, just sharing my thoughts on the topic

[greatwhite]

many threads available for this, oxalic acid, white vinegar, all have great results.

[Verikauha]

From my experience WD40 dissolves later added low-quality paints away easily if rubbed, like "normando camo" camopaint helmets.
I would say Oxalix acid treatment and after that antique wax to prevent future rust.
And oxalix acid does nothing to leather, maybe only removes natural sweat grease from liner leather away and makes it dry.
Remove liner for easier handling, bath helmet in oxalix acid 20- max 30 minutes and neutralize acid next in soapwater bowl. afterwards when dry use antique wax (i use shoe bee-wax) on the helmet cos it will rust easily again.

Oxalix acid bad for kidneys, use glaws.

[JohnyWoo]

Looks nice! Im glad it was not too rusty.

[HARRY THE MOLE]

Your best bet is to coat the rust in beeswax cream, apply it with fine wire wool and rub in. Leave it for a day or so before rubbing over it with a cloth. I'm sure that there are better methods, but this has always worked well for me on anything made of metal. If you remove rust - or convert it, you will make a mess. It's best just to stabilise and leave alone when dealing with helmets. The Royal Armouries (Leeds) use this method too. DO NOT use the spray polish!