On another matter

[EASLOOP]

Just secured a 1930's or so companionway ladder for my boat. Only three rungs but each of them had a bronze/brass? decorative strip protecting the heavy wear edge of the steps. I am trying to get these nice and bright again. Does anybody know of a good solution ti use to clean them?

 

[ccscott49]

bronze wire brush, then brasso on cardboard, then brasso on a cloth. You can also us Hydrochloric acid first to clean them.

 

[tillergirl]

Coca-cola? What about that Advert on telly with the 2p piece and 'Barry Scott' whoever he is? 'Cillit Bang' or one of the products in that range. Can you remove it from the wood? If so I think a soak in coke overnight might work.

 

[Metabarca]

"a soak in coke overnight might work"

or in wine vinegar!

 

[EASLOOP]

Bronze brush - good idea I will give it a go

Don't like Coke idea - too frightening.

Thanks for all input. A polishing I will go.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

[ QUOTE ]

Don't like Coke idea - too frightening.


[/ QUOTE ]

Why frightening? It was the best method of cleaning our Mini's radiator, way back in the sixties!

One other thing that you could try is rubbing the strips with one half of a lemon, used vigorously as a scrubber.

IF you decide to use hydrochloric acid (as I do for the tube-nest in the heat-exchanger of my engine) please make sure that you use dilute acid, and in a well-ventilated location. Use gloves and watch out for splashes.

On second thoughts: if you consider the use of Coca Cola as frightening (very mild phosphoric acid - I think) then the probability of your using hydrochloric acid would be zilch!

Happy polishing!

 

[EASLOOP]

I say frightening becasue it reminds me I used to drink the stuff and use it for converting badly stained old pennies into golden orbs. Used to rip the hair off my teeth, or make them hairy - I forget which.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

[ QUOTE ]
Used to rip the hair off my teeth, or make them hairy - I forget which.

[/ QUOTE ]

I don't remember either.... All I know is that most of my teeth are a distant memory /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[ccscott49]

Bronze brush, like a suede shoe brush, or a bit rougher, a sparkplug cleaning brush. Just to clarify.

 

[AndrewB]

Scuse my ignorance if I've misunderstood, but is cleaning and polishing them such a good idea? Slipping off the companionway steps is such a common accident when at sea, best to leave them a bit matte. Many people fit a strip of Treadmaster or similar along the wear edges.

 

[gardenshed]

Coke is less acidic than orange juice or lemon juice. It also has less calories than orange juice but I digress.