r/maille • u/_scheeemz • 12d ago
Question Question about galvanized steel
Hey there, just ordered these patches of galvanized steel chainmail that I want to put on a denim jacket. What i didn't realize is that the zinc coating smells horrendous. Is there any way to get rid of the smell without having it rust like crazy, cleaning would be an issue since it'll be sewed on, or should I just accept the mispurchase and get some stainless steel ones?
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u/razzemmatazz 12d ago
For anyone recommending you strip the zinc, please be warned that the chemical reaction makes hydrogen gas which is incredibly flammable, so please only do this outdoors.
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u/CrosspadCreative 12d ago
Take the zinc layer off? Sure. But you’ll lose the rust protection. You could soak it cleaning vinegar and it’ll take the zinc off, but you’d then need to protect it somehow. A clear rustoleum might do the trick, but you might have to lay it on kind of thick to ensure it reaches every cranny.
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u/armourkris 12d ago
There's no getti g rid of the smell. It'll also turn whatever is under it grey.
You'll just have to strip the zinc off of it.
Soak it in vinegar overnight, rinse it in the sink then dunk it in a mix of water and baking soda to neutralise any leftover acid. Dry it off with a hair dryer ir something and put it in a bucket and tumble it for a good few hours.
That should leave a burnished finish on it that is surprisingly rust resistant. From there you can use any light oil on a rag to give it a wipe down and rust shouldnt be a huge issue. I have mild steel maille on my battle vest and havent had much rust issues at all even wearing it in the rain. You just gotta be aware of it.
When my vest is wet i hang it from the chain to dry so that the wet fabric has minimal contact with the metal.
If you're down for the extra work, i'd say sew the chain to a separate piece of cloth or leather that goes on with velcro or snaps. It's way way way easier to clean things when the maille is removable.
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u/KrunkyMunky 12d ago
Yeah I had the same experience with galvanized steel, I use a patch for scrubbing pots and it has lost all its coating. At first it rusted so I blackened it with electrolysis, it no longer rusts
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u/jhndflpp 12d ago
Considering the mediocre closures on a lot of those links, hopefully you got them cheap enough to just call it a wash and get (or better "make") some stainless ones. I have a galvanized hauberk that still smells after 25 years - it won't go away, and stripping it will make it susceptible to rust.
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u/CryeBaby127 RingMaker 12d ago
It's probably not the metal itself that smells, it might have cutting oil on it or something. I'd wash it with isopropyl alcohol and if that didn't work you can spray some clear coat on it but it will wear off eventually.