Janet- What kind of an exhibit is it that you are doing? Unless it is a live interpretation situation, there is no need to clean the rust off of these tool, its current condition only illustrates is age and is part of the objects history. There is also no need to coat them with renaissance wax unless you clean them. Once rusted they will not continue to rust unless they are cleaned and the underlying metal is exposed to the air even if you treat them. I have to disagree with one of my fellow colleagues, DO NOT oil them. The original surface of the metal has already been compromised and oiling them will not return them to the state they were in when they were used and unless you are going to use them and constantly oil them, the oil will only become another conservation issue that can become more of a problem then your original rust issue. Also remember that rust eats the top layer of the metal and each time the object re-rusts and is re-cleaned you will strip away more and more of the underlying metal until the object is completely compromised. It is true that loggers would never leave their tools in that condition, but you are not a logger. You are a museum and your main purpose is to preserve and educate about the objects. You can do them whether they are rusty or not. If you need assistance, definitely contact a metal conservator. I hope this will help Tracie Evans Collections Manager Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum [log in to unmask] PO Box 2570 Waco TX 76702 254/750-8631 > -----Original Message----- > From: Janet Geronime [SMTP:[log in to unmask]] > Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2004 9:49 PM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: rusty tools > > We are preparing an exhibit of logging tools and some of them are rusty. > One volunteer (we are all volunteers) suggested using Renaissance Wax > (from Light Impressions catalog). Would that be appropriate or is there > something better to use? > > Janet Geronime > NorthernWaters Museum > ========================================================= Important > Subscriber Information: > > The Museum-L FAQ file is located at > http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed > information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail > message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should > read "help" (without the quotes). > > If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to > [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read > "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).