Oil for segmentata

[scamander]

Hi there,

Finally getting my lorica segmentata polished (mild brush finished steel). What oil would be best for maintaining it? I've read that WD40 isn't the best idea and instead I should use a light oil.

suggestions?

[Crispianus]

Hi there,

Finally getting my lorica segmentata polished (mild brush finished steel). What oil would be best for maintaining it? I've read that WD40 isn't the best idea and instead I should use a light oil.

suggestions?

The best thing I've found to protect bare steel from rust on helmets, bosses etc, is boiled linseed oil painted on and left to dry (remove it with pure turpentine available from artists shops etc), but on seg it might be a problem with abrasion bettween parts so failing that I would use a regular gun oil....

[Crispvs]

I get the occasional bit of rust off my helmet with a cheap sanding sponge. I spread a thin layer of pork fat over the helmet (so thin that it is barely visible and the shine on the helmet is only slightly dulled, with the smell of fat being minimal at most) and that keeps the rust off for around three months. I have never used lacquers, WD40 or anything modern on my helmet as I am more interested in knowing whether something the Romans could have used works. I have been using pork fat for seventeen years now and as long as I reapply it every two to three months I see little or no rust on it. The linseed oil is interesting as it is also something the Romans would have been able to use.

I gave up trying to apply anything to my body armour to keep it rust free years ago, as with my arms, weapons and cloak continually rubbing against it, anything which I applied quickly rubbed off again. It just got more attention from the sanding sponge.

Crispvs

[Crispianus]

The linseed oil is interesting as it is also something the Romans would have been able to use.


Crispvs

Which is the reason I used it...
Once dry to the touch which may take a week, a thin coat will stop rust in the wettest conditions, I used to use it on my helmets and shield bosses.... mostly.... but should work on any plate, applly in a thin coat with a flat brush, wiping it over with a clean linen or cotton rag soaked in oil would probably work just as well though.

[Robert Vermaat]

I've used olive oil for years now, and it mostly works just fine. I reapply it 2 or 3 times a year i think. Especially for the helmet, which is not touched very often and which I can't clean with a sanding sponge.