Lead Adventure Forum

Other Stuff => Workbench => Tutorials => Topic started by: maxxon on 14 April 2016, 07:45:33 AM

Title: How to deal with lead rot
Post by: maxxon on 14 April 2016, 07:45:33 AM

Faced with this problem, I've done some experimentation and written an article about it.

This is a short summary. Full article is here: http://www.smallcuts.net/articles/leadrot.jsp

Faced with rot like this:
(http://www.swob.kvy.fi/photo-archive/20141105/tiny/20141105-005.jpg)

I decided to tackle the issue and see what works.

After tumbling:
(http://www.swob.kvy.fi/photo-archive/20141105/tiny/20141105-008.jpg)

Some parts needed tougher handling: I tried wire brushes and finally scalpel work:
(http://www.swob.kvy.fi/photo-archive/20141129/tiny/20141129-012.jpg) (http://www.swob.kvy.fi/photo-archive/20141129/tiny/20141129-014.jpg)
(http://www.swob.kvy.fi/photo-archive/20141129/tiny/20141129-015.jpg)

Then I primed the parts and waited for a year to see if any problems would develop:
(http://www.swob.kvy.fi/photo-archive/20160325/tiny/20160325-007.jpg) (http://www.swob.kvy.fi/photo-archive/20160325/tiny/20160325-004.jpg)

Nothing was evident, so I proceeded to finish painting as normal:
(http://www.swob.kvy.fi/photo-archive/20160328/thumb/20160328-008.jpg)

To summarize:

- remove rot physically
- fix damage
- prime and paint as normal

Title: Re: How to deal with lead rot
Post by: Metternich on 14 April 2016, 11:28:29 PM

The other key is storage.  Lead rot develops more readily in totally enclosed cabinets without air flow.

Title: Re: How to deal with lead rot
Post by: Gracchus Armisurplus on 08 June 2016, 12:50:48 AM

Is it a surface reaction thing? Does painting the model prevent the issue?

Title: Re: How to deal with lead rot
Post by: maxxon on 08 June 2016, 06:53:56 AM

Quote from: Gracchus Armisurplus on 08 June 2016, 12:50:48 AM

Is it a surface reaction thing? Does painting the model prevent the issue?

I would say so.

As I said in the article, I could observe no further rot in the one year observation period after priming the models.

It's quite possible that eliminating the conditions that cause rot will stop the progress -- just like rust doesn't advance by itself.

I haven't seen examples myself, but I've read that problems with museum models often start with unpainted base bottoms. That provides a contact surface with air and then the rot works itself up under the paint -- just like your car starts rusting from the scratch in the paint.

Title: Re: How to deal with lead rot
Post by: The Dozing Dragon on 08 June 2016, 02:28:40 PM

Recieved a few minis recently that have advanced rot where I've had to cut out large amount of metal. Very frustrating  :-[

Title: Re: How to deal with lead rot
Post by: Metternich on 18 June 2016, 09:11:42 PM

Painting certainly helps, as it seals in the metal so it can't react with the environment.

Title: Re: How to deal with lead rot
Post by: traveller on 19 June 2016, 07:14:03 AM

Cold storage seems to be a problem as well. Keep your minis close to you  ;)

Title: Re: How to deal with lead rot
Post by: Gracchus Armisurplus on 01 October 2016, 04:37:23 AM

So a painted and based miniature should be ok?

Title: Re: How to deal with lead rot
Post by: traveller on 01 October 2016, 11:41:54 AM

Quote from: Gracchus Armisurplus on 01 October 2016, 04:37:23 AM

So a painted and based miniature should be ok?

If kept in room temperature....I had painted RAFM miniatures rotting after stored in garage