[meteorite-list] Getting rust off membranebox polyurethane

[R N Hartman]

Unfortunately the polyurethane membrane does not take well to oozing blobs 
of toxic ferrous oxide.  Meteorites should be "dried out" i.e. the 
contaminents removed before placing into the membrane box.  There are 
various methods that have been discussed on the list and elsewhere.  For 
Irons, please refer to our article by Jim Hartman in Meteorite Times, 
Meteorites 101, V.1, No. 8 
http://www.meteorite-times.com/Back_Links/2002/November/index.htm

If you have a larger, more expensive, membrane box, it may be cost-effective 
to return the box to us and for a small fee, usually about $1.50 or so per 
box, plus shipping cost back to you, we will replace your membrane with a 
new membrane.  (This is actually below our cost, but a service we provide 
for our clients on the meteorite list) If you have several smaller boxes, it 
may also be cost effective to ship several back to us at the same time, 
contingent on what your shipping cost, would be both ways.  This could be 
better than trashing a box entirely.

Other services:  replacement of broken hinges and latches or changing the 
color of a latch, 50 cents per hinge or latch per box  (plus shipping back 
to you), or you can buy replacement hinges or latches in yellow, blue or 
colorless, for 25 cts. ea. and replace them yourself.

We cannot magically remove scratches, blemishes, and damage from other 
tragic events such as you boxes falling off of a high shelf onto a cement 
floor during a large earthquake (altho most boxes do pretty well if they 
fall from a low shelf onto a carpet!).

Please advise us if you decide to return any boxes for repair.  Our shipping 
facility has relocated from Crestline, CA to Apple Valley, CA. and is 
expanding in size. Our business office remains in Walnut, CA. On-line 
addresses remain the same.

Ron Hartman
membranebox at earthlink.net





----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gary Fujihara" <fujmon at mac.com>
To: "MeteorList" <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2009 2:18 PM
Subject: [meteorite-list] Getting rust off membranebox polyurethane


> Aloha,
>
> Living in humid, salt-spray laden atmosphere in Hawaii, I have had  some 
> challenges with oxidation of my iron, stony-iron, and even some  chondrite 
> meteorites.  Many have weeped ferrous oxide, staining the  polyurethane 
> membrane with rust.  Ugh.  I've tried cleaning it off  with alcohol to no 
> avail.  Has anyone cleaned rust off their membrane  boxes, and if so what 
> have you used?
>
> Gary Fujihara
> AstroDay Institute
> 105 Puhili Place, Hilo, HI 96720
> (808) 640-9161, fujmon at mac.com
> http://astroday.net
>
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