How to Restore a Rusty Relic German Helmet

Getting rust off improves the look of a German helmet.

War antiques, such as German helmets, can be highly collectible. One of the challenges that comes with collecting is learning how to care for items properly. Restoring a rusty German helmet can make all the difference between a collectible piece and a chunk of scrap metal.

Things You'll Need

• Liquid soap
• Water
• Towels
• Limescale remover (without chlorine)
• Soft cloth
• Toothbrush
• Large scrub brush
• Hairdryer
• Petroleum jelly
• Anti-rust spray paint

Instructions

1. Wash the helmet with liquid soap and water. Let it soak for up to two hours in a soap-and-water mixture. Take care not to let leather parts get wet, if your helmet has leather attachments.

2. Remove the helmet from the soap and water bath. Place it on a towel and inspect the helmet, looking for decals or other painted areas. For a German helmet, insignia comes in a variety of forms, such as a swastika, SS bolts, the German eagle and the police sign. Note these so you do not accidentally remove them.

3. Spray with the limescale remover. Once again, do not spray the leather attachments, if there are any. Let it sit for three minutes.

4. Rinse the helmet with liquid soap and water. Take the soft cloth, large scrub brush and toothbrush and wipe and scrub the surface. Make sure to scrub gently or not at all over decals and painted areas, depending upon how faded they are, in order not to damage them.

5. Place the helmet on a towel and dry it with a hairdryer. Once again, stay away from leather parts, if there are any. Leather should air dry.

6. Apply a layer of petroleum jelly. This will protect the helmet. If your helmet is particularly fragile, you can spray a thin layer of anti-rust paint on the helmet, allowing it to dry completely.

7. Place in a protected area, such as a display case.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a helmet with a particularly tough rusty area, you can use an abrasive soap powder along with the limescale remover. Use your fingers to scrub the soap powder over the area and rinse clean. Dry completely. Take caution, however, because an abrasive soap powder can also remove the paint and damage the helmet.

• Always be aware that you are restoring an artifact. Being too gentle is always better than being too severe, because heavy scrubbing and harsh chemicals can remove paint, decals or even break a rusted German helmet.

References

• SS, Police, and other German Helmets (Including Imperial Spike Helmets)