From: "Private" 
Newsgroups: alt.home.repair misc.consumers.frugal-living misc.consumers.house misc.invest.real-estate alt.architecture
Subject: Re: Retaining the Beauty of Rust
Date: Wed, 09 Jul 2003 21:36:59 GMT

"jim evans"  wrote in message
news:birogv0u499b7nd27omkbugg57f75sl2uh@4ax.com...
> On Tue, 08 Jul 2003 22:35:41 GMT, "Private"  wrote:
>
> >Hi guys.
> >
> >Is there such a thing as a weather-tough transparent outdoor paint (or
oil
> >or something) that can be applied over- or rubbed in- rust so that the
> >rusting process can be halted and the surface protected, but where it may
> >show through and retain its look?
>
> This isn't exactly on point, but you may be interested:
> http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byform/mailing-lists/cdl/1997/1026.html

It's perfectly on point, thanks Jim.
Just for the archive in case the website/my computer disappears:
"To halt this kind of corrosion, it is necessary to inhibit the flow
of electrons between the centres, as without a completed circuit,
the reaction with oxygen is minimal.
This is usually accomplished by the application of an insoluble
insulator which will create a barrier between the object and the
principle components of corrosion. This insulator is usually a wax
or lacquer (or indeed a combination of both) applied to a perfectly
dry object (any trace of residual moisture on the object will allow
corrosion to continue beneath the lacquer).
I would recommend that after cleaning the object, you swab it with
acetone, or some other water displacing solvent, then apply a
lacquer such as Ercaline over a layer of microcrystalline wax, both
of which are available from Conservation Resources. You might find
that it is necessary to perform such treatment as frequently as
annually, although these lacquers may last up to a decade. It is all
dependant upon your local weather system."

R