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Offline nicky52  
#1 Posted : 20 December 2002 01:21:53(UTC)
nicky52


Joined: 21/11/2002(UTC)
Posts: 42
Location: ,
Hello everyone. I need some info on storing my trains. What is the best way, place etc to store my "treasures when they are not in use. I have heard of "Zinc Pest" What is it and how do I prevent or cure it? Thanks!<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Offline Roman  
#2 Posted : 20 December 2002 04:08:28(UTC)
Roman

United States   
Joined: 19/09/2002(UTC)
Posts: 869
I keep my items in the house where it is climate and moisture controlled year round. You may want to run your engines every once in a while though. I've found, after many years of storage, that the oil dries out and the gears need to be freed up. Zink pest, from my limited knowledge, isn't avoidable. It effects older Marklin locomotives such as the 3007 as well as cars and is corrosion due to poor metal mixes and temperatures in curing. If you have a 40+ year old locomotive or wagon and it isn't rotting away then it's a good bet that it won't. I found a site in German and it basically explained that Zink Pest or Zinn Pest was found mostly in items produced from '47 to '55. Since it is intergranular in nature and rots from inside out there isn't anything you can treat the metal with on the surface. I haven't seen any of it on my 1960's items to present so I wouldn't worry about it other than keeping the items clean, dust free, properly lubed, and boxed when not in use for a long while. Any correction most welcome. Cheers.<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

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Offline perz  
#3 Posted : 20 December 2002 15:03:49(UTC)
perz

Sweden   
Joined: 12/01/2002(UTC)
Posts: 2,578
Location: Sweden
As far as I know, Roman is right about the "Zinc pest". These old models are made of Zinc, and the "Zinc pest" is a corrosion phenomenon due to the factors mentioned by Roman. "Zinn pest" is German and means "Tin pest", which is a completely other thing. Tin pest only affects tin, and is caused by too low storage temperature. Tin pest should not affect the bodies of the models since they are not made of tin.

Offline nicky52  
#4 Posted : 20 December 2002 20:59:13(UTC)
nicky52


Joined: 21/11/2002(UTC)
Posts: 42
Location: ,
Thanks for the info! I'm trying to find a good location to set-up my layout in the New Year. I'm going to put it in my basement. The moisture is not too bad down there. But I will find a moisture free enviorment to store the Locomotives when they are not in use. I did notice some white residue on one of the older locs. I brushed it off and gave it a little oil. So far no reappearance of the white stuff. Have a real good Holiday! Nick in Snowy Idaho!

Offline Webmaster  
#5 Posted : 20 December 2002 23:44:25(UTC)
Webmaster


Joined: 25/07/2001(UTC)
Posts: 11,161
The zink metal alloy used from 1946-55 was called "Zamac", and this was more prone to oxidization (corrosion) due an unfortunate mix of zinc and other metals (magnesium) that reacts with oxygen and forms a kind of white crystal powderization in the pores of the alloy. Once it has started, the loco was/is doomed, you cannot "cure" it... The zinc-magnesium alloy formula was changed in 1955:s to a more "solid" one with a better mix of metals. So what is known as "zinc-pest" is actually "magnesium-pest" chemically spoken... From the 60:s and onwards, the alloy used is much more pure and will not show any "zink pest"...

BTW, if you have done some weightlifting or such then you have probably heard of "magnesium oxide" - the white powder you put on your hands to get a better grip. That is the same white powder that the "zink pest" produces...
Juhan - "Webmaster", at your service...
He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes. He who does not ask a question remains a fool forever. [Old Chinese Proverb]
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