De-Galvanizing a punched-rivetted Hamata

[QVINTVS ARTORIVS CORVINVS]

OK,

Now that we have successfully de-grossified my DSC hamata, next project is to de-galvanize yet another.
I seem to remember reading something about using the stuff to chlorinate your swimming pool to remove it?

Phillip

[jkaler48]

Whatever method please use a well ventilated area as the zinc fumes are not good for you at all.

[QVINTVS ARTORIVS CORVINVS]

Absolutely. Safety first, always :!:

[M. Demetrius]

I did mine this way, and had no trouble with anything.

:!: Do this outdoors and you shouldn't have to worry about the zinc fumes. They are lethally toxic in high concentrations. Not a joke. Welders and blacksmiths have died from breathing the zinc smoke from galvanized pipe and other metal. :!:

First, I bought two gallons of regular white vinegar at the grocery.
Second, I put the hamata in a 5 gallon bucket, clean.
Third, I agitated the bucket some a couple of times over two days.
When the bubbles stopped coming off the metal, the zinc was removed.
Wash in clear water.

Vinegar (or at least the acid in it) will have changed into some kind of zinc salt and water. I knew this from chemistry in school, not by tasting. What you do to discard this solution is probably better left unsaid.

[QVINTVS ARTORIVS CORVINVS]

Demetrius,

Very cool and low tech! Just what the Dr. ordered :wink:
One last thing... should I remove the leather edging, or is it safe on there?

[M. Demetrius]

I don't know. I didn't do it that way, as my edging wasn't leather covered until after it was de-zinked.

I'd think the leather would hold moisture against the rings too long, and give a place for rust to begin in a place where you couldn't find it easily. If it can be removed, that would probably be the better choice, then resew it when the links are dry and oiled. That would be my suggestion.

[QVINTVS ARTORIVS CORVINVS]

Reasonable postulation...

One last thing, I don't think it would adversely affect the brass?

[M. Demetrius]

I have used vinegar as a pre-clean on brass belt plates. It helps take off the tarnish and other discoloration, so I don't think it would hurt your brass parts. It might just shine them up some. Eventually, an acid will damage brass, but overnight shouldn't be a problem.

Famous last words, right? :|

[QVINTVS ARTORIVS CORVINVS]

I think you are right about that... it is sort of a pickling agent / non-abrasive brass cleaner

[LUCIUS ALFENUS AVITIANUS]

The brass can get a more red colour. Caution!

[M. Demetrius]

Red color, aye. Forgot about that. It seems to draw copper to the surface, or perhaps remove some of the zinc in the copper/zinc outer surface? But that polishes off pretty well, if you find it disturbing. OTOH, that makes the metal look a little more like "red brass", which might be a good thing. Hard to say.

[QVINTVS ARTORIVS CORVINVS]

Note to self ... remove brass and leather edging first

[john m roberts]

Try a piece of scrap brass in the solution you plan to use and see what happens. You may like it, who knows?

[marvises]

yeah i figure the chemicals what your working with would like shrivel up the leather like a raisin and tarnish the brass

[M. Demetrius]

It might be tough on the leather.