CARING FOR YOUR METAL OBJECTS

Many special objects are made of metal: gold, silver, copper alloy, pewter, and iron to name just a few. Tools, jewelry, toys, sculpture, tableware, furniture, kitchenware, and almost any other item can be made from metal. Metals are produced from ores that are found in nature and are processed, or smelted, from a stable mineral state to a less stable metallic state. Metals are crystalline solids and exhibit special properties like ductility, electrical conductivity, and rapid heat transfer. Almost every metal material you will encounter will be an alloy, which is a mixture of more than one metal. Metals are mixed to achieve certain qualities, like color, strength, or corrosion resistance in the finished alloy. Metals are also often layered together as in the case of silver plated on a base metal substrate or tin plated on an iron substrate.

Corrosion is the primary means by which metals deteriorate. Most metals corrode on contact with water (and moisture in the air), acids, bases, salts, oils, aggressive metal polishes, and other solid and liquid chemicals. They will also corrode when exposed to gaseous materials like acid vapors, formaldehyde gas, ammonia gas, and sulfur containing gases. Other sources of deterioration include breakage, dents, and scratches from accidents and mishandling.

Usually, we tend to regard the more noble metals, such as platinum, gold, and silver, as more valuable than the base metals, such as iron, tin, and lead. Noble metals like gold and silver corrode less readily than baser metals. Gold, for example, truly does not corrode. Silver can suffer from sulfide-related tarnish and can corrode under very aggressive conditions such as in archeological contexts, but it is often fairly stable. Less noble metals, like copper alloys, corrode more readily. Base metals, like iron, corrode very easily. Because metal is electrically active, galvanic corrosion can occur when two metals are in direct contact with each other. The base metal will contribute electrons to the more noble metal creating and electric circuit. This causes preservation of the more noble metal and corrosion of the more base metal.

A goal in the preservation and conservation of metal objects is to prevent the loss of metal from the object and sometimes to maintain an aesthetically pleasing surface. Loss of metal occurs through corrosion or through aggressive cleaning and causes the reduction of surface details, like engraving, and potential loss of structural integrity in a piece.

Handling Metal Objects

One of the sources of damage to metal is improper handling and carelessness. Oils and acids that are continuously secreted through human skin are deposited on metal surfaces during handling, where they cause corrosion and pitting. As experienced gun collectors and jewelers can attest, the actual pattern of a person’s fingerprint can corrode into a metal surface. Metal objects should always be handled with clean, white, cotton gloves, or nitrile or vinyl gloves with a pair of cotton gloves over them to further prevent sweat from passing through to the object. If items are handled with bare skin or are used, as in the case of tableware, they should be carefully cleaned before storage or display to remove these deposits and prevent corrosion from skin acids and oils. White gloves are recommended because it is easy to determine when they become soiled and need to be washed.

Careless handling can also lead to denting, bending, or breaking metal artifacts. It is best not to overestimate the strength and resiliency of metal pieces. They are often weaker or more brittle than one anticipates. Extra caution in handling can prevent serious damages that can be expensive to repair. Of course, anyone who has allowed a silver spoon or fork to fall into a running garbage disposal will recall the heartbreak of a seriously damaged family heirloom.

The Environment

A controlled environment is one of the most important elements in the preservation of your metal objects. Excessive humidity is a leading contributor to the corrosion of metal. It is important to keep the relative humidity below 55% in areas where you keep important metal artifacts. You can use dehumidifiers and air conditioning to limit the amount of moisture in the air. Avoid storing your items in the basement, where the relative humidity is often far too high. Metal artifacts from an archeological context such as bronze and iron should ideally be kept at an even lower relative humidity, below 40%.

Another aspect of the environment that is critical to the preservation of metals is gaseous and particulate air pollution. Fine dust and debris in the air can accumulate on metal surfaces, where it attracts moisture and encourages corrosion. Keeping metal objects dust free or carefully covered with dust covers can prevent this type of corrosion.

Gasses in the air also attack metals. Sulfurous gasses from car exhaust, rubber products, and cigarette smoke cause silver and copper alloys to discolor and corrode. The characteristic tarnish on silver is black silver sulfide. Acidic gasses from wooden cabinets and cases can also cause metal corrosion. Vapors produced by plywood and other products that off-gas formaldehyde cause lead alloys and other metals to corrode, forming wispy white crystals often confused with mold growth. Keeping metal objects in a clean, dry, safe environment can prevent deterioration from environmental sources.

Display and Storage

Metals, in general, should be stored with inert storage materials. For example, metal cabinets and shelving should be used rather than wood cabinets and shelving. As discussed earlier, many woods and wood products, like plywood, emit acids and other gasses that cause metals to corrode. Acidic newsprint and cardboard boxes should be avoided. Acid-free, lignin-free wrapping paper and boxes are better. Clean, soft cotton cloth can also be used.

Silver, for example, can be stored in “silver cloth” that is available through jewelers’ and fabric stores. The cloth contains compounds that complex with sulfur gasses in the air before they can get through the cloth to reach the surface of your silver piece. Silver cloth will drastically slow the rate at which your silver will tarnish. Silver cloth, however, should be changed every few years to remain effective. As the compounds in the cloth complex with gasses, they become used up and may eventually be holding the over saturated pollutants in close contact with your silver. Washing and re-using silver cloth is not effective so it is advised to buy new.

Storage containers, called housings, should also provide adequate physical protection for your objects. They should be suitably padded to prevent direct contact with other metal surfaces, where galvanic corrosion can occur. Padding also prevents denting, scratches, and other physical damage. For example, silver cloth is soft and will not scratch. It is thick like flannel and provides padding that will help prevent small dents and dings.

Metals objects, even large ones like farm implements or automobiles, should always be covered to protect from dust build up. Clean cotton sheeting can be used to make removable dust covers.

Cleaning Practices

Metal objects should be kept free of dust, debris, and oily residues. In general, it is not a good idea to routinely polish or aggressively clean metal pieces. Each time a piece is polished or cleaned a thin layer of the surface is ground off by the abrasives in the polish, or is dissolved away by strong chemicals in cleaning solutions. Repeated polishing or cleaning with chemicals such as dipping solutions will gradually eat away plating, surface decoration, engraving, maker’s marks, and monograms. Eventually, holes will form in the body of the metal object. As an example, many people will use a wire brush on an electric drill to clean away rust on old iron objects like tools. This is very aggressive and may remove important surface features like the maker’s stamps or historically important signs of use. It is best to use the most mild and non-abrasive methods for cleaning metals. For more specific information about how to clean your special object, contact a professional objects conservator. They can help you safely care for your objects yourself or can provide these services for you.

When Disaster Strikes

For metal objects, the most serious threat from a disaster is water damage. Metal objects that have become wet during an emergency should be rinsed with clean, distilled or deionized water as soon as it is practically possible. If distilled or deionized water is not available, tap water will suffice until the object can be examined by a conservator. The rinsed objects should then be dried as quickly as possible to prevent corrosion. Clean cotton or paper towels can be used. If conditions are such that dry towels are not available, objects can be placed in the warm sun to dry. Be very careful not to scratch objects by wiping off grit or soil or by using towels that are dirty or gritty. Metal objects should not be left wet; they will quickly corrode. Other questions about preserving your metal objects after a disaster can be answered by a local conservator.

When to Call a Conservator

If you have questions about the care of your metal objects, or if your objects require special intervention like repair, re-plating, or replacement of missing parts, you should contact an objects conservator. He or she will give you advice about the safest means by which to conserve and restore your special items. AIC provides a free brochure containing information to help you select a conservator and also offers a free guide to conservators in your area.

Additional Resources

Schultz, Arthur W., ed. Caring for Your Collections. New York: Harry N. Abrahms, Inc. 1992.

Schultz, Arthur W., ed. Caring for Family Treasures. New York: Harry N. Abrahms, Inc. 2000.

Prepared by Julie A. Reilly with assistance from David Harvey and Julie Lauffenburger, 2001.

For more information, contact:
American Institute for Conservation of
Historic & Artistic Works (AIC)
1156 15th St., NW, Ste. 320
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: (202) 452-9545
Facsimile: (202) 452-9328
E-mail: info@aic-faic.org
Website: http://aic.stanford.edu

The American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works (AIC) is the national membership organization of conservation professionals dedicated to preserving the art and historic artifacts of our cultural heritage for future generations. Among other services of AIC is the Guide to Conservation Services, which provides a free list of conservators in your geographic region. The AIC brochure, Guidelines for Selecting a Conservator, will help you make an informed choice.

The recommendations in this brochure are intended as guidance only, and AIC does not assume responsibility or liability.