How to Properly Maintain Your Suit of Armor 

Congratulations on your purchase of one of the high-quality suits of armor from our website, many of which faithfully capture historic details in great fidelity. 

These make great additions to dens, living rooms, and other common areas where they will capture attention, serve as conversation pieces, and so much more.

They also represent an investment, and no small one at that. This being broached, it behooves you to know how to properly care for and maintain your suit of armor. Let this short post serve as a high-level guide and a jumping-off point.

Set Yourself Up for Success by Choosing an Appropriate Location for Display

The best cure for any malady is prevention, and the best way to keep a suit of armor shiny and free of rust is to display it in a location where it will be protected against chronic high humidity. 

Admittedly and understandably this will not be possible in all circumstances, but where it is possible, you should absolutely observe it. Consistent high humidity is going to do nothing but result in rust on the surface of your suit of armor that you will need to deal with sooner or later, and if you let it get too far, rust can result in pitting that will permanently damage the finish of your plate armor.

Keep It Dry (and Clean).

Don’t keep your suit of armor in a place where it’s going to get wet or sprayed with any liquids, and if it does get wet for some reason, clean up the mess as soon as possible. Exposure to moisture is the number one case of rust on steel and iron, so this is one of the most important pointers in this guide.

It is also important to note here that some suits of armor are made with what may be marketed as “stainless” steels, but there is no such thing as a “rust proof” steel. Some alloys are better than others, but if you try hard enough, any steel will rust. 

Also, keep your suit of armor clean of dust, grime or other debris, as these are not only unsightly but can trap moisture that will in turn cause rust. 

Keeping it dry is just a hedge against that risk. 

Don’t Use Soap and Water If Possible 

If your suit of armor gets dirty, it can be tempting to treat the affected area with soap and water. Most of the time this is not necessary. 

Now, there will be times where a little bit of warm water on a cloth is warranted, but if you do this, you need to be judicious about making sure the armor is completely dry when you’re done.

As for soap, you should forgo that entirely, and here’s why: soap strips protective oils and waxes from surfaces, and if your suit of armor has been treated so, you’ll be taking away the primary line of defense against rust. 

Keep It Well-Protected Against Rust 

As stated, prevention is the best medicine and far better than treatment (more on that in a minute).

You might be used to using oil, and oil does prevent rust on steel, but it is not necessarily the best choice for protecting a suit of armor, for a few reasons. 

One is that oil is temporary, and will eventually evaporate or dissipate. This requires more frequent retreatment. Another is that oil migrates, so it may not stay where you apply it. Lastly, oil is sticky and will actually attract dust, dirt and other debris. 

A better option is a dedicated metal cleaning or protection paste, or else some sort of microcrystalline wax. Harder and longer-lasting than oil, a microcrystalline wax will stay where it’s applied, form a protective layer against moisture and corrosion, and most importantly, can even potentially protect the finish of a steel suit of armor.

Spot-Treating Rust

If your suit of armor does develop a spot of rust, light rust solvents and mild abrasives, like fine steel wool, can be used to remove it. It is also important to remove any rust as soon as it manifests as if not it will spread. 

Just make sure to use the highest grit abrasive if possible so you don’t damage the finish of the suit of armor, and replace the protective coating of wax or whatever else you use as soon as you are done.

Suits of Armor, Gun Cleaning Kits, Gun Parts and More 

At SARCO, Inc., we’re proud to offer one of the more eclectic mixes of collectibles, military surplus gear, gun cleaning kits, gun parts, and other cool stuff on the internet. 

Shop our collection, and if you have any questions about what we sell, how to clean your suit of armor, what gun cleaning kit you need, what gun part needs to be replaced, or anything else of that nature, get in touch with us and we will be more than happy to help.