Bronze bracket

[JERSEYMAN]

Hi there, I was wondering how you guys clean up a bronze transom bracket without it getting too bling, I'm just trying to make it look it's age but semi-polished.
Any views ??
Thanks

[Hugz]

Bling it up then leave it outside. Wont take long to dull.

[Charles uk]

Try washing it in the sea after blinging.

[tambikerboy]

Try coca cola for a few days then a light rub down then you'll see what it does to your guts.....

[BroadReach]

You can age brass by burying in a cow pat...........

[JERSEYMAN]

Many minds are better than one, I try not to polish too much but you guys polish well then age it which sounds like a better idea, interesting idea with the cowpat but if someone finds it in a cowpat they are going to think, that's some sick cow!!

I think I am going to polish then age, probably dipping in the sea a few times, I'll post some before and after pics.

Interestingly, how do you polish you bronze, I just use autosol and wire wool but there must be a more efficient way, a "magic" dip of some kind!

Thanks

[headdownarseup]

Try mixing as much salt that will dissolve into vinegar. Stinks to high heaven though. (but it does work)
Works quite well for that "weathered look".

OR

Give it the beans with Brasso and a wire brush then leave outside to weather naturally. Might take a week or so.

Jon

[Grumpy]

And if the smell is acceptable you can use any left over mixture on your chips/French fries .

[Collector Inspector]

I would use 60:40 distilled water and white vinegar with a teaspoon of salt per litre after that.

The bronze should be completely devoid of wax and greases oil etc before hand. There may well be a green tinge here and there but that is OK.

No abrasive anything.

Soak in a cool environment. Check morning and night. Use a nail brush or similar every time you check.

The green will turn black and with a brush will diminish.

The bronze will turn pink......that is the copper content no big deal.

When uniform colour and no black with no abrasives used................wash in clean water, dry and use something like metal polish wadding.

The wadding will turn black.....that is the excess copper being removed.

When happy wash in metholated spirits to get clean and dry.

Up to you how you want it to age after.

Coconut oil is a very good bronze preservative.

In 12 months it will look out of the factory. The casting sand finish will be preserved and a glowing bronze colour.

Remember..........everything by hand and take some time.

Cheers

BnC