Hi everyone. I'm pretty new to collecting weapons and armour so I am slowly building up my collection. Recently, I purchased a Olmutz Helmet from GDFB, (http://gdfb.co.uk/olmutz-helmet-613-p.asp) I am pretty happy with it, but I am a bit confused. Does the steel used in helmets rust at all? I was lead to believe so due to it being wrapped in something similar to the wax they use for carbon steel swords. Also, if it does rust, is it okay for me to use 3 in 1 oil on it? Many thanks.

It is not just important what you put onto a steel surface, but also what you take off first. This aspect of armour maintenance tends to be under-emphasized, but is important because rust and discolouration can happen to a metal's surface even if it has been coated, if there are body oils and salts that have not been removed first. Whatever solvent will remove the rust-preventative layer that is already in place is probably a good bet for cleaning the armour before re-coating it. It seems like hassle, but when you consider how time-consuming re-finishing a piece is, and how it seldom looks as good afterword, it is entirely worthwhile.

Oil will work fine for sealing your helmet, if you are not bothered by the film it leaves on the surface. Car wax will work too, if you are not bothered by opaque residues accumulating in hard-to-reach areas (I recently saw some car waxes which claim not to leave such residues, which might be worth considering). I use Renaissance Wax in my professional practice, and while I admit to its limitations (it discolours blued surfaces, wrinkles leaf gilding, gives off dangerous fumes during application, and despite claims to the contrary, amplifies fingerprinting on polished surfaces) and its inexplicable cost, it does leave a more-or-less invisible surface (if buffed down properly) that will not sully everything it touches. I am not so satisfied with it that I have stopped looking for something better, though.

I use ethanol, because I find it effective and the fumes less offensive than mineral spirits and the like.

Thanks Jeffrey, you helped a lot. I went and got some car was type stuff but in a sprayable form and some ethanol. I'm really happy with how it shines now, much better than the oil, which made it less shiny and added strange colours.
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That looks very nice. I have used Renaissance Wax on sword blades and armor for quite some time and it works well for me. Never noticed any fumes from it. It is expensive but a little goes a long way. If you are getting good results from auto wax then keep using that. Jeffrey is quite correct about cleaning the steel before applying any protective coating. You have to do it. If you get rust just learn to live with it. I can tolerate some rust stains on armor but have always tried to keep my sword blades as rust free as possible.

Some people with sweaty hand touching your steel would make it rust fast, my friend put his hand on my breastplate and printed his finger prints on it...

Whenever rust occurs on my armor, I either use metal glo(sometime sit won't work) or I just sand it off with high grit sandpaper. If the rust is really bad and I can't sand it off with high grits I just leave it.

Have you though about painting or bluing the helmet? My helmet was painted to prevent rust.

Yes..all steels will rust, bronzes will darken . Honestly..as long as active red rust on iron/steel is taken care of, I wouldn't worry all that much. Signs of discolouration, etc, all just add to an item's "History/personality" :) Buff off any active rust with a scotchbrite pad, wipe over with your oil of choice and leave it at that. Really shiny armour, to me, just looks a bit too "Hollywood", in my opinion :)

Fluid Film is the best there is for corrosion prevention

another word of praise for Fluid Film.