UBB.threads Forums General Interest Restoration, Conservation, and Maintenance Forum Pickelhaube - Ren Wax?

I finally have a pickelhaube. It is very dirty and to the best of my knowledge has never been cleaned.

First let me tell you what I (think) I know. I understand the stiching on pickelhaubes is simple, untreated cotton and becomes very fraigle with time. The stiching on my pickelhaube is still "tight" (but who knows what tomorrow might bring).

I plan to simply wipe off the shell and not try to get into in-depth cleaning. Some owners use a mild dishwashing detergent like Ivory or Murphy's oil soap, but in my mind the stitching could could be weakened further by wetting it and then drying.

I think Ren wax is a great product. In the past I noticed that it does have some cleaning effect on leather if sparcely and gently applied. And maybe ... just maybe (??????) the cotton threads might be strengthened if it would absorb some wax.

Please...... give me some comments.

Once I start my limited cleaning, I am afraid it is a one way street.

HELP!!!


Rod

GD Gold 0017, Silver 0342

I've used it to clean leather hangers and haven't had a problem with the stiching. I usually check for any loose stiches and tighten them up first with a bit of elmer's glue and a toothpick

Before doing anything, I would check out Kaisers bunker webiste, he has a section on cleaning etc.

here is a link:

http://kaisersbunker.com/preservation/index.htm

James

Thanks to Vern and James

Kaiser's Bunker (great site!!!) notes that some recommend Ren wax for leather cleaning but I am thinking more towards "strengthening" the joining threads. Sort of makes sense to me. Ha Ha.

I need to think long and hard about this one.

Rod

Rod,

I have owned several Pickelhauben. They have survived this long without tampering, just leave it alone. If it's a little dusty, carefully dust it off with a feather duster or a dry soft cotton cloth.. Enjoy looking at it, hands off!!

Kaiser's Bunker - Nice site !

Gunther,

You have a very sound idea!!!

Thanks,

Rod

I guess that it depends on what our interest is.

I have spent BIG buckets on the TR.

Guess I will have to wait for those that have the pre TR to follow me.

They will not be dissappointed



Rod

I have had one that I bought at 6 years old in 1949 in the big flea market in Paris. I've posted pictures before.

I must have shined the bejaysus out of it 300 times as a kid. Black shoe polish on the leather and Brasso on the brass. It did not hurt it a single bit

Unless it has been rotting somewhere, it is very durable. Clean it up. A little wax or shoe polish won't do any harm, and if you clean the brass, it oxidiozes quickly.

Dave

Different avenues of thought....... I'm more of a purist and not quite so cheeky toward the preservation of these valuable pieces of history....

quote:

Originally posted by Rod:
I guess that it depends on what our interest is.

I have spent BIG buckets on the TR.

Guess I will have to wait for those that have the pre TR to follow me.

They will not be dissappointed



Rod

AND?