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Humidity
Moisture
is the main enemy of any meteorite. Moisture can be residing
way down in your favorite specimen or in your display case
and
you don't even know it. To help protect agains moisture, we recommend a
small dehumidifier, called the "Renewable mini dehumidifier".
When it gets too much moisture in it, the pellets turn pink
and
you know you need to take it to a place where moisture is not a problem
and plug it in. The unit then warms up and releases the moisture into
the air and it is ready to keep your display cases dry again! These
units cost about $20.00 each and the manufacturer claims they will last
10 years.
What
to look for
If you are enjoying your
collection, it should be
easy for you to notice the first signs of rust happening on your
meteorites. Look closely for any discoloration at least once a month.
You are looking for small brown or yellow spots or smudges. The oil on
our hands can actually cause rust spots - so if you notice
fingerprint- looking rusty spots and have children.....! Seriously,
though, if you have etched slices in particular, try to hold the slices
by the edges when admiring them.! If you notice any possible rust
areas, just follow the direction given in the Etched Iron Slices care
section.
Why
ATF
ATF
(Automatic Transmission fluid) has long been known
to have excellent rust inhibitors and has been used for many years. It
is the tried and true oil to protect your meteorites. We have used it
for several years with complete success and highly recommend that you
use it as instructed also. When putting your meteorite in ATF
overnight, use a plastic container. We have found that this is the
easiest way to get a complete coat on your specimen. If you are
treating more than one etched slice at a time, make sure to place
papertowels between them to protect them from scratching each other.
Baking
If you
have an individual iron that is rusting from
the inside out you
can bake it in the oven at a minimum of212 degrees
with the oven door open at a rate of one pound per hour, this will draw
out the internal moisture. It is best to do this before
soaking
them in oil. Once it is cool
enough to touch, submerge it in ATF overnight. REMEMBER: Iron
meteorites take a LONG TIME to cool down! Don't try to touch
it
too soon!
Last
Thoughts.......
As
always , if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to
contact us . We are always happy to help in any way that we can. We
hope you will continue to enjoy your meteorites for years and years! |
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