Fixing Tinning

[Carlton Bach]

A brief question:

how do you fix tinning that has rubbed off in some places? Is this something you can do at home, or had I better leave it to a specialist?

Thanks

[Matt Lukes]

Tinning flux should do the trick- either a commercially-available type or I understand you could even make your own by just using a file to create solder 'powder' (make sure it's lead-free solder) and mix it with a little soldering flux. Spread it on the area you need to re-tin and heat it up- I use my oven: 60 seconds at 500F works well. The size of the solder particles in the flux (they're very small in commercial tinning flux) governs how much you'll have to use or how many times you'll have to repeat the process to get an even layer of tin. You have to be careful to remove the item as soon as the solder particles melt- otherwise the flux can bubble or burn leaving a spotty pattern. This same thing goes for using a flame- heat the underside of the item until the solder in the flux melts then remove it immediately and wipe away the liquid flux.

Of course, practicing a few times on scrap metal rather than moving right in on the actual piece you want to re-tin is a good idea.

Matt

[Carlton Bach]

Thanks. I'll give it a go next week.

[Peroni]

This tinning paint is very good.

Paint it on the area to be tinned, heat with a blowtorch and wipe with a soft cloth and hey presto!

http://www.gwneale.co.uk/nealetin.html

regards,

[Tarbicus]

This tinning paint is very good. Paint it on the area to be tinned, heat with a blowtorch and wipe with a soft cloth and hey presto!

Heh - I see a lot of tinned armour and weapons suddenly appearing in 'Show Your Roman Impression Here'

[Gordak]

I spent like a week trying to tin a belt plate, and came to the exact same concusion. Mix ground tin with flux, paste on, and heat.

There is a store bought (home depot has it) tinning flux, but its really low tin content, so you need to do a few layers.

My question is, how did the romans tin their things?
And
How common is untinned bronze belt peices?
-Gordak

[Theodosius the Great]

Avete Omnes,


I'd like to try Sam's method except I would rather use a blowtorch.

My question : is there a way to tin the discs on the belt straps ? I'm afraid they're permanently attached.




Theo

[LUCIUS ALFENUS AVITIANUS]

Another solution is not fix. Roman had the same problem: tin tends to rubb off, so a piece with some imperfection could be more realistic.