Saving Old Seagulls

Anyone got any tips for cleaning bronze castings?Was going to take my new 102 for a spin tomorrow but have decided to give it good clean up instead

People who collect brass military buttons etc use ammonia. I don't know any details, just that I have supplied the ammonia from time to time.

If you believe the TV ad for Cillit Bang then that's the stuff.


You might find some ideas on this site http://freespace.virgin.net/bob.bailey/clean1/cln.html

SWMBO cleans her copper and brass stuff by laying then on a sheet of aluminium foil in a bowl of washing soda solution, A similar idea to one on the above site but not needing a car battery.

Final suggestion: do a search of the Classic boat forum at YBW.com

Dad was an antique clock restorer and the old way to clean bronze was to mix some salt in vinegar and add flour to make a paste then paint on and leave for a bit.

I've just checked with an antique website and they say one teaspoon of salt in a cup of white vinegar, flour to make a paste and then leave on for 15mins.

Of course with the antiques we only wanted a gentle clean so it may not be powerful enough for a green Seagull bracket.

I've cleaned my 40 plus bracket by painting some engine oil on it and then using a couple of different shaped small wire brushes on the drill.

The oil takes away the scratching and then a rinse off with white spirit and it looks really good.

David