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Author
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Topic: Caring for Apollo flown torch (flashlight)
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rgarner
Member Posts: 1193
From: Shepperton, United Kingdom
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 04-26-2016 04:54 AM
   
So recently I removed the batteries (which had leaked) from my Apollo 9 flown torch, and luckily they fell straight out along with the dry battery acid residue. One thing I am noticing is that the brass is starting to tarnish (brown spots), but I'm not sure what to do in this situation.Do I polish the tarnish out or do I leave it? Will it detract from the historical and financial value if I restore it? Then comes the problem of me not being a conservationist, so I would be a little worried to do it myself. If I leave it, how do I best protect against further tarnishing? There is also the added problem of the torch being signed by Rusty Schweickart... and his signature is fading. This has been stored in a box which itself is stored in a room-temperature controlled room. Thoughts? |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-26-2016 06:24 AM
If it were mine, photodocument in current state, mask drawing/serial number, Nevr-Dull to stabilize/restore and then have Schweickart resign at Spacefest if desired |
David Carey
Member Posts: 782
From:
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 04-26-2016 07:06 PM
I've never used Nvr-Dull but any refinishing should take into consideration what you are trying to remove and accomplish. With antiques, and increasingly classic cars, original patina and aging can be an asset and refinishing is viewed as a detractor. If there is pitting/corrosion that will only get worse if not stabilized, I'd tend to agree with Scott. I thought that brass doesn't suffer a parallel to "bronze disease," but metallurgy and corrosion are not my things. Has the flashlight changed or tarnished dramatically from what I assume is the Heritage auction in November 2015? Would certainly recommend you dry-swab all of the corrosive dust and battery residue from the inside. There might be a wet cleaning solution that doesn't recreate corrosives but couldn't tell you what that would be. I'd start with just Q-Tips and maybe someone can provide a safe but more thorough approach. Certainly it's good to document the current state of the item and no doubt you have other paperwork. Just not sure I'd jump into any abrasive polishing chemistry without considering the need. Even if polished, without a clear-coat the brown spots are likely to reappear. If it's stable, and the refinish is for aesthetics only, I'd tend to take the conservative/conservator's approach and leave it alone. Signature fade/wear might be inevitable with Sharpie on metal since ink can't permeate the material. Perhaps a paint-pen would be a more durable choice. I've had astronauts do small paper personal notes - suitable for 'alongside display' - to either supplement fading sigs on items or (re)certify without affecting the original state of the object. |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1255
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 04-26-2016 08:47 PM
There are two ways to remove the battery acid from the brass. One is a electrolysis bath that will remove the acid, The bath will leave a black tarnish that you can buff off. The second way is to put the penlight into a distilled fresh water bath for a several months. Remove the penlight from the bath, dry over time and buff clean. Then spray clear urethane on it to prevent oxygen for interacting with the brass. All of the above doesn't not mean that you will have the same value as before you attempted to preserve the penlight. Personally, I would just leave it alone. The penlight will continue to gently corrode over time, but it will be such a slow effect that it will be many years before that are any appreciable effects to the light. Maybe even longer than you maintain it in your collection. |
rgarner
Member Posts: 1193
From: Shepperton, United Kingdom
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 04-27-2016 05:04 AM
Thank you for your advice everyone. In terms of the battery acid, it is mostly gone (I expect some is left attached to the inner tubing) and the torch hasn't degraded any since its original purchase.The signature however has - why people insist on having autographs signed in sharpie is beyond me, they're possibly the worst pens imaginable. I have everything signed with an archive pen, they're around the same cost and are waterproof, UV proof, etc. I think this will have to go to Spacefest to be resigned - an expense I didn't want, but I suppose I could also ask Rusty to write up a LOA for the torch too, so it wouldn't be a total loss. |
Chuckster01
Member Posts: 873
From: Orlando, FL
Registered: Jan 2014
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posted 04-27-2016 05:26 AM
It is my understanding the common baking soda is a good agent to neutralize acid. Carefully sprinkle a small amount of baking soda on the corroded section and let it sit.Then tap the open end of the torch to remove excess. Any baking soda that sticks to the acid will do the job of slowing or stopping the corrosion with no ill effects that I am aware of. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 04-27-2016 09:27 AM
Apologies if I am way off base here but with regards the remaining battery acid inside the torch, would a cotton bud dipped in Isopropyl alcohol help remove the residue without causing damage to the surface metal? Any remaining alcohol would evaporate almost immediately and the surfaces could then by "buffed" with dry buds.Might be worth testing a small area or another item in a similar condition should you have one. Other than that I'd leave well alone personally. |
freshspot
unregistered
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posted 05-03-2016 03:39 AM
I have an unflown Apollo flashlight (Fulton Industries ACR FA-5 serial number 3016). When I got it (eBay in 2007) it was in good shape. I was able to gently clean it as Scott (SpaceAholic) suggests.The biggest issue was that the barrel did not turn at first so I couldn't get inside. It required pliers (gently!) but I got it open. I replaced the batteries and the bulb and it works like it is brand new. It is fun to show off when I have visitors. |
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