Use steel wool.  If the rust is bad start w/ #2 or #3 grade to get the rough stuff off.  Then move to 000 grade or 0000 grade steel wool to clean up the rest.  Wash and rinse.  Lastly, put a very, very, very, very light coating of mineral or lemon oil on the spikes to prevent more rusting.

Lana Newhart-Kellen
Registrar
Collections Dept.
Conner Prairie Museum

>>> [log in to unmask] 08/09/02 01:29PM >>>
Does anyone have any recommendations on how to safely remove excessive rust
from an artifact?

I have a pair of 1960s football cleats and our exhibitions manager wants
the excessive rust removed from the metal cleats.

I heard that rust was removed from the bell of the shipwreck Edmund
Fitzgerald by using lemon juice and a toothbrush.

Any suggestions will help.

Thanks

Jason Aikens
Collections Coordinator
Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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