New Barung... Chromed? Help!

Robert · 13th July 2014, 06:07 AM

WOW

Someone did make a mess of things.

Looking at this I would say that the blade is the least of your worries. If it is chrome it can be chemically stripped off of the metal parts, but the underlying nickel (or if it is only nickel plating) needs to be hand sanded off to keep from doing more damage. I would also recommend that you use a chemical stripping solution on the scabbard as well as the hilt with little to no actual sanding. What I see as the biggest problem is the wooden hilt itself. In the photos I can see not only one but at least three cracks or possible clear brakes in the wood as well as what appears to be a missing section that will have to be replaced. If someone has tried to do any repair on this in the past getting what ever glue that might have been used to release can be a real problem at times as well. You have a fair amount of work ahead so just take your time, do not rush and I'm sure that when finished you will find that it was well worth the effort. If you do run into difficulties during the restoration process I am sure that if ask the forum membership will be able to help you with any question you might have.

Best,
Robert

spiral · 13th July 2014, 10:56 AM

Ohh god, I had a WW1 issue kukri treated like that years ago...took so much work to get back to get it clean of the nickel & varnish. {pure Acetone eventually helped clear the varnish of that one though, softened it enough to nail brush it off over half an hour or so.}

What travesty's people do.. thinking at the time there preserving things...

Spiral

CharlesS · 13th July 2014, 12:33 PM

Just curious....since the whole thing has been so heavily lacquered, is it possible that the blade and ferrule have been heavily lacquered as well, and that the corrosion we see is where the lacquer has popped off???

One sure way to tell is a lacquer remover like Strip-eze.

This would be a far more hopeful....

Sajen · 13th July 2014, 12:56 PM

I am sure that it will be possible to bring this barung to a good condition again. It could be that the wooden parts are covered with shellac. This can be removed with benzine. Try it carefully at a small place of the scabbard. When this will work remove all this lacquer. After this rub the wooden parts carefully with steel wool, oil it with linseed oil and apply a good antique wax. This is what I would do. The metal parts will be a much harder work, others has given already good advice. Please keep us updated about the success.

Regards,
Detlef

Montino Bourbon · 14th July 2014, 05:42 PM

I sanded the blade with rough, then fine, then very fine, then tried etching it with FeCl. This is the result I don't know if I'm looking at laminations or at partly-removed nickel plating. The chrome is all gone. The dark area at the top is where the plating was gone and the blade corroded from before I had it. Opinions?

Ian · 14th July 2014, 07:33 PM

That looks like lamination to me, but hard to say. The differential oxidation is a problem and I think the only way to deal with it will be more abrasion and polishing. Sorry, but I think you are in for more work on this one. Should look great when you are finished.

Ian.

Sajen · 14th July 2014, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

That looks like lamination to me, but hard to say. The differential oxidation is a problem and I think the only way to deal with it will be more abrasion and polishing. Sorry, but I think you are in for more work on this one. Should look great when you are finished.

Ian.

Agree complete with Ian!

14th July 2014, 05:42 PM	#5
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 301	I sanded the blade with rough, then fine, then very fine, then tried etching it with FeCl. This is the result I don't know if I'm looking at laminations or at partly-removed nickel plating. The chrome is all gone. The dark area at the top is where the plating was gone and the blade corroded from before I had it. Opinions? Attached Images

13th July 2014, 06:07 AM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	WOW Someone did make a mess of things. Looking at this I would say that the blade is the least of your worries. If it is chrome it can be chemically stripped off of the metal parts, but the underlying nickel (or if it is only nickel plating) needs to be hand sanded off to keep from doing more damage. I would also recommend that you use a chemical stripping solution on the scabbard as well as the hilt with little to no actual sanding. What I see as the biggest problem is the wooden hilt itself. In the photos I can see not only one but at least three cracks or possible clear brakes in the wood as well as what appears to be a missing section that will have to be replaced. If someone has tried to do any repair on this in the past getting what ever glue that might have been used to release can be a real problem at times as well. You have a fair amount of work ahead so just take your time, do not rush and I'm sure that when finished you will find that it was well worth the effort. If you do run into difficulties during the restoration process I am sure that if ask the forum membership will be able to help you with any question you might have. Best, Robert

13th July 2014, 10:56 AM	#2
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Ohh god, I had a WW1 issue kukri treated like that years ago...took so much work to get back to get it clean of the nickel & varnish. {pure Acetone eventually helped clear the varnish of that one though, softened it enough to nail brush it off over half an hour or so.} What travesty's people do.. thinking at the time there preserving things... Spiral

13th July 2014, 12:33 PM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Just curious....since the whole thing has been so heavily lacquered, is it possible that the blade and ferrule have been heavily lacquered as well, and that the corrosion we see is where the lacquer has popped off??? One sure way to tell is a lacquer remover like Strip-eze. This would be a far more hopeful....

13th July 2014, 12:56 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,272	I am sure that it will be possible to bring this barung to a good condition again. It could be that the wooden parts are covered with shellac. This can be removed with benzine. Try it carefully at a small place of the scabbard. When this will work remove all this lacquer. After this rub the wooden parts carefully with steel wool, oil it with linseed oil and apply a good antique wax. This is what I would do. The metal parts will be a much harder work, others has given already good advice. Please keep us updated about the success. Regards, Detlef

14th July 2014, 07:33 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	That looks like lamination to me, but hard to say. The differential oxidation is a problem and I think the only way to deal with it will be more abrasion and polishing. Sorry, but I think you are in for more work on this one. Should look great when you are finished. Ian.