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Posted

Got a heavy duty harness leather work belt recently which uses copper rivets. I’m a very sweaty person and work in construction wearing this belt 5-6 days/week. 
 

I'm wondering what methods are best to prevent the rate at which they oxidize? I’ve seen a few pictures of older belts with copper rivets that have a significant amount of green around the rivets. Not really a huge issue as it’s a work belt, but I’d prefer if I could significantly reduce it somehow. 

  • Contributing Member
Posted (edited)

You can get a special clear lacquer coating to paint or dip copper or brass. Its a cellulose lacquer. I used to use a lot of it on the brass fittings on my medieval shields so it stands up to use well, but if you use a wire scrubber it will come off

I can't remember the name right now. If I find out I'll edit this

Edit; Its called 'Rustins Metal Lacquer' [ who would have guessed it? :lol:  ]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rustins-Metal-Lacquer-Clear-RUSCML125/dp/B07DF7F2ZZ?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A2UE65O1XILPTJ&gQT=1

btw, a thot; you'll have diffs coating the attached rivets where they meet the leather. That part will still oxidize and stain the leather. Unless you are prepared to remove them, coat them and replace them or new ones

Edited by fredk

Al speling misteaks aer all mi own werk..

  • Members
Posted

Thanks I’ll give this a look. I read somewhere that clear nail polish is another short term solution. Using a metal wire brush is another option but I fear I’d damage the leather quite a bit using that method. 

  • Contributing Member
Posted

Clear nail varnish will work, but its short-term. Its not as tough as the Rustins and will wear off after a short time

Al speling misteaks aer all mi own werk..

  • Members
Posted
59 minutes ago, fredk said:

Clear nail varnish will work, but its short-term. Its not as tough as the Rustins and will wear off after a short time

Unfortunately I’m in Canada and can’t seem to find it. I’ll keep searching as the belt is still new and I shouldn’t have to worry about oxidation just yet.

  • Contributing Member
Posted

The Rustins you mean?

That link was for Amazon UK but it should be on your Amazon. Or ebay, or your general hardware store - its used a lot on the brass fittings on doors

Al speling misteaks aer all mi own werk..

Posted

I've got a similar issue with an old piece of riveted leather. In the past I've tried to scrape off that sticky green stuff, but it keeps coming back. Since recently I have a spindle press for setting rivets, so I'd like to replace all the nickel-plated brass rivets with new ones (either nickel-plated brass again or nickle-plated iron, wdyt?).

What's the best way to remove rivets? Drill through them? (I do have a press drill).

  • Members
Posted

Anyway you can cut the mushroomed peg without heating up the copper. Copper makes an excellent heat sink. Heat up one side and the temperature will travel through the entire piece. 

As the green corrosion. Clean it with a tooth brush. 

Sealing the leather before installing the rivet should help. Using brass is another. 

However, consider the green corrosion as an indicator of the age of the item. Every copper rivet I've ever set, gets the green corrosion. It's just the nature of copper. 

  • Members
Posted

Have any of you guys nickel plated? You can get pure nickel off of Amazon. Using a phone charger, vinegar. I've plated a few things, mostly gun parts. The home brew electrolyte won't produce the gloss nickel. It'll come out matte. 

Brownells Electroless Nickel Plating is a product you might consider. They also sell nickel,  "brightener". Which produces the bright and shiny nickel. 

  • Members
Posted
18 hours ago, fredk said:

The Rustins you mean?

That link was for Amazon UK but it should be on your Amazon. Or ebay, or your general hardware store - its used a lot on the brass fittings on doors

I checked but it says unavailable with no work on when it will be restocked. I see many other Rustins products but no metal lacquer. 

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