My before and after on my old padlock

[Truth]

From what I researched it was made by George Rex a British inventor. The property I detect was owned by a office at one point and brought back a lot of trophies. I showed the guy who’s has detected this property all to himself for 15yrs and he said this. “I bet it came from the Battle of New Orleans! I have 4 buttons from that battle that I found there. I think that officer that lived there brought home a bunch of British trophies. Nice find I’d say made between 1800-1804!!!!!” Need advice on the next step after electrolysis to preserve it better. I hate how that brass key hole cover lost a green patina.

​

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A History of Mining on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska - Grab it through Amazon!

[Terry Soloman]

Great Job!

 

[Truth]

Great Job!

Question Terry am I finished as far as electrolysis and is there anyway to just shined up that brass key cover because before electrolysis I could tell it had beautiful patina?

 

[Truth]

I shined up the brass yes I can’t sleep damn insomnia. I’m wondering should I put the black shoe polish on it or leave in semi rusty.

 

[boogeyman]

Look up liver of sulphur. If you used any kind of polish especially the stick polish for cloth wheels clean it with lacquer thinner or MEK to get the oils off. Even oil from your fingers will mess things up. Mix up a batch per the instructions. wipe it on & when the patina gets to where you want rinse it with water for a few seconds. Works very well once you get the hang of applying. WARNINGS - Mix & use outside! It stinks like a backed up drain. It doesn't really bother me too much. Keep your pets away. Dogs don't like the smell much but cats really really hate the stuff, and the wife will boot you out. If you buy a larger container of it, keep moisture out of it & even better, put a few of the silica gel packs that seem to come in all the electronics now. It'll keep it from going flat (if you dissolve it & it doesn't turn yellow it's flat). You can find liver of sulphur on amazon or if you have one close a jewelry supply shop. Another use is to restore some patina to copper coins you've cooked too much cleaning. I suggest practicing on pennies that have been in the tumbler a little too long before doing any coins of value. Hope that helps you out some & adds another restoration technique to your tool box.

 

[Bama Billy]

I’ve been told to bake them in the oven to cook out any left over corrosives from your cleaning process. I’m doing the same thing with some canister shot I found.

 

[devldog]

Truth, Beautiful lock. I found one almost exactly like the one you have. Mine was from the CW era and the little brass key hole cover is stamped US where yours is stamped GB. If you want to further restore the lock and you don't mind the iron turning black, you could try the product Gempler's. It does a great job on iron and further treats and restores the iron. Check into it if you haven't already. There are some pretty cool videos on this product. Just a suggestion. Once again, Congrat's on one cool find.

 

[Argentium]

I was thinking that the GR and the crown symbol would have to do with King George (III) ? "Georgius Rex"

 

[Truth]

I was thinking that the GR and the crown symbol would have to do with King George (III) ? "Georgius Rex"

I just looked it up. You’re correct!!George Rex was the alleged first son of King George III.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Nice job on the preservation!

 

[Truth]

Look up liver of sulphur. If you used any kind of polish especially the stick polish for cloth wheels clean it with lacquer thinner or MEK to get the oils off. Even oil from your fingers will mess things up. Mix up a batch per the instructions. wipe it on & when the patina gets to where you want rinse it with water for a few seconds. Works very well once you get the hang of applying. WARNINGS - Mix & use outside! It stinks like a backed up drain. It doesn't really bother me too much. Keep your pets away. Dogs don't like the smell much but cats really really hate the stuff, and the wife will boot you out. If you buy a larger container of it, keep moisture out of it & even better, put a few of the silica gel packs that seem to come in all the electronics now. It'll keep it from going flat (if you dissolve it & it doesn't turn yellow it's flat). You can find liver of sulphur on amazon or if you have one close a jewelry supply shop. Another use is to restore some patina to copper coins you've cooked too much cleaning. I suggest practicing on pennies that have been in the tumbler a little too long before doing any coins of value. Hope that helps you out some & adds another restoration technique to your tool box.

I ordered it thank you for the advice boogeyman

 

[Truth]

Truth, Beautiful lock. I found one almost exactly like the one you have. Mine was from the CW era and the little brass key hole cover is stamped US where yours is stamped GB. If you want to further restore the lock and you don't mind the iron turning black, you could try the product Gempler's. It does a great job on iron and further treats and restores the iron. Check into it if you haven't already. There are some pretty cool videos on this product. Just a suggestion. Once again, Congrat's on one cool find.

I ordered it as well as what boogeyman recommended. Im gonna try them both on to different things. Thank you guys

 

[devldog]

Yes sir. You got it. Let us know how the further preservation of the lock goes. It's a great piece and will really look nice.

 

[Truth]

Yes sir. You got it. Let us know how the further preservation of the lock goes. It's a great piece and will really look nice.

I’m baking it more and I ordered some stuff recommended here, so I’m on it. Thanks devildog

 

[villagenut]

Nice job cleaning it up. It looks to me that it could go back in the tank for a little while and then a extended soak in distilled water.....then a good drying out before coating it with anything.keep us updated.

 

[Truth]

Nice job cleaning it up. It looks to me that it could go back in the tank for a little while and then a extended soak in distilled water.....then a good drying out before coating it with anything.keep us updated.

Yeah cooking it for another 72 hours and see how it looks. I was just getting nervous because holes where starting to for.
I’m also must admit I didn’t know about the distilled water before I apply anything to it thanks villagenut have heard from you in a a while been hunting lately?

 

[villagenut]

Yeah cooking it for another 72 hours and see how it looks. I was just getting nervous because holes where starting to for.
I’m also must admit I didn’t know about the distilled water before I apply anything to it thanks villagenut have heard from you in a a while been hunting lately?

Distilled water is helpful because it lacks the chloride that regular water contains, that allows for any salts or chloride ions to leech out of the iron and into the distilled water where regular tap water will not contribute to that process. I have been detecting and siftting an old store lot from the 1840s, used up until 1880 ish. I need to get some of those finds posted, just been too preoccupied and distracted.

 

[Truth]

Ok guys this is where I’m at. Electrolysis is easy, what you do after is when the work begins.

Any advice to get that brass cleaner let me know. I’ve down ketchup and flour, salt and vinegar. Thanks

 

[Tnmountains]

It is very easy and that is a nice lock. You do not want to over cook and cause holes. Lots of times when it comes out of electrolysis it will flash rust. Many people use a wax to seal out the air. Check out the cleaning and preservation forum here it has some great examples.
Great job and nice lock

 

[Truth]

It is very easy and that is a nice lock. You do not want to over cook and cause holes. Lots of times when it comes out of electrolysis it will flat rust. Many people use a wax to seal out the air. Check out the cleaning and preservation forum here it has some great examples.
Great job and nice lock

Thank you didn’t know they had that forum. Yeah it’s a balance to know when too much is too much. I wanted most of the rust of but noticed more small holes opening up. I used
GEMPLER’S Eco-Friendly RCQ Rust Converter and Primer All-in-One. I like the look it left not just that shoe polish black. Is primer the same as wax? Any advice on getting that brass better? Look at my picture roll please.