Iron Conservation at Jamestown

I thoroughly enjoy these uploads.

May I ask what the fluid for the electrolysis procedure comprises of?

I didn't know you had to do all that to preserve these treasures. Thank you for taking your time to lovingly care for this important historical site. I do have a question though, is did they bury their dead inside of the fort or did they move them to the outside And are you all going to study the burial practices of the settlers if you haven't already.

Baking soda and water for reverse electrolysis. Tannic acid for final coating sold by Gempler's as Rust Converter

I really love getting Jamestown updates. I'm always learning something new and I love revisiting history. Thank you.

How much electricity actually goes into the electrolysis procedure?

Thanks, Don.  Surely is exciting even though it's time consuming, as you said.  I am one of many who really envy you your job!  Keep up the good work, we wait with much anticipation each new find and broadcast! 

Can anyone tell me what these artifacts were coated in after cleaning & drying please?!
Keith

I use linseed oil to coat my preserved iron objects.

Why only one glove?

Iron, being very scarce on the frontier and in the English colonies in general, I'm surprised that there are so many artifacts. It seems as though a blacksmith could have recycled those items into other useful tools and implements.

Enjoy watching these videos but I am very confused with what is going on with the guys hands..?? He has one glove on in one shot and is handling iron... with a bare hand, this was followed by shots at the end with him handling the treated object with bare hands...??? Did he have hand testing for acidity??? The handling seems very bizarre and not best practice for handling artifacts. Particularly with iron because introduction of chlroides and acids from the hands can lead to corrosion of iron. Again just a little confused and I am guessing there is lots of background on that.

Dream job!

I'm a poor student from Holland who loves old artifacts. I always treat them with acid (cleaning vinegar, approximately 8%) because that comes cheap and after that with ammonia which seems to stabilise the iron (the colour changes somewhat) and after that I rinse it all with water and preserve it with paraloid b72. I would be very grateful if anyone could provide some tips to improve my work, or tell me what I'm doing wrong! I'm sorry for any grammatical errors.

Tell me more about that horse shoe

I went to Jamestown so many times when my husband was stationed in Norfolk, VA. !!! Love history, and it is my minor but more importantly it is my passion!!

Utilize … you mean use?