My Tiger I Relic collection

**The Devil's Bank** · 05-22-2021, 03:47 PM

Just got a cracker Panzer piece, sadly not a Tiger but..

It's very heavy.. and it gives a nasty sting..

**Composite** · 05-22-2021, 04:07 PM

Can you describe it to us?

**francis** · 05-22-2021, 04:55 PM

Hi Luftwaffe 1941. Beautiful pieces there, and impressive identification skills too. I agree that a more natural and weathered look is an improvement. I don't know if you have tried boiled linseed oil. When all rust has been removed eg blasting or electrolysis, if you coat steel with a layer (by brush) of boiled linseed oil it prevents rust, and leaves all natural detail and colour visible. It doesn't dry glossy like varnish and after a short time it isn't even noticeable that a coating of anything has been applied. Leaving a lovely natural authentic appearance. I have only recently come across this and since application to many steel relics I'm really pleased and impressed with the outcome. Now I will have to go over many items in my collection to repeat the process. Since I don't like to paint over artefacts I have tried various methods of preservation with an aim of a natural look. Unfortunately, these haven't all worked long term and some of my pieces are slowly degrading. I feel pretty confident that this is exactly what I should have done from the beginning. Its also very cheap, and no, I do not own shares in a linseed oil company ;-)
Just a note of caution for anyone using B.L.O. If you decide to wipe off excess oil with rag or similar, (after application) bare in mind that boiled linseed oil on certain cloths is very volatile and can very easily ignite. I have heard from somewhere of 'spontaneous ignition' with this but I cannot vouch for that myself. Any info on this greatly appreciated..... just out of curiosity.
Kind regards, Francis

**Luftwaffe 1941** · 05-22-2021, 06:11 PM

by The Devil's Bank

Just got a cracker Panzer piece, sadly not a Tiger but..

And it's very heavy..

I would love to see it!

**Luftwaffe 1941** · 05-22-2021, 06:14 PM

by francis

Hi Luftwaffe 1941. Beautiful pieces there, and impressive identification skills too. I agree that a more natural and weathered look is an improvement. I don't know if you have tried boiled linseed oil. When all rust has been removed eg blasting or electrolysis, if you coat steel with a layer (by brush) of boiled linseed oil it prevents rust, and leaves all natural detail and colour visible. It doesn't dry glossy like varnish and after a short time it isn't even noticeable that a coating of anything has been applied. Leaving a lovely natural authentic appearance. I have only recently come across this and since application to many steel relics I'm really pleased and impressed with the outcome. Now I will have to go over many items in my collection to repeat the process. Since I don't like to paint over artefacts I have tried various methods of preservation with an aim of a natural look. Unfortunately, these haven't all worked long term and some of my pieces are slowly degrading. I feel pretty confident that this is exactly what I should have done from the beginning. Its also very cheap, and no, I do not own shares in a linseed oil company ;-)
Just a note of caution for anyone using B.L.O. If you decide to wipe off excess oil with rag or similar, (after application) bare in mind that boiled linseed oil on certain cloths is very volatile and can very easily ignite. I have heard from somewhere of 'spontaneous ignition' with this but I cannot vouch for that myself. Any info on this greatly appreciated..... just out of curiosity.
Kind regards, Francis

I may have to look into that. I definitely want these parts to have a more weathered/battle worn look to them. I’ve used linseed oil for staining gun stocks many times in the past, but I never thought of using it on iron relics.

I definitely want to experiment with the dry brushing method Danmark recommended too.