Polishing bronze fittings - practical tip

So how are you going to keep them nice looking.

FWIW for hinges etc inside I have found that cleaning off all traces of metal polish ( hot water and w'up liquid ) then a thin coat of single pack PU varnish lasts quite a few years.
 
VicS said:
So how are you going to keep them nice looking.

FWIW for hinges etc inside I have found that cleaning off all traces of metal polish ( hot water and w'up liquid ) then a thin coat of single pack PU varnish lasts quite a few years.
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Ha. I was hoping you'd compliment me on my inventiveness not be a wet blanket! The bronze fittings on my boat simply go green and I accept it as authentic. So why did I spend my time polishing? You might well ask. It seems wrong to put them back green after a refit.
 
When I was installing an engine in my trials car I polished various steel items like starter motor and such. Then sprayed them with with the clear lacquer you get as part of the metallic paint systems for cars. Halfords and others do it in spray cans.
Doomed to failure, I thought. Yet a year on they were still fine.

This one with the starter body and the cooling water manifold (on the right) lacquered.

starter01.jpg


and after I decided the solenoid looked rough I did the same to that (taken from above)

remotereservoir03.jpg
 
Amulet said:
Refurbing the forehatch. I think that you'll agree that these hinges:
View attachment 44132
are shiny, and really look the business.
This is the secret:
View attachment 44133
Stick a tampon soaked in metal polish in a Jacobs chuck on the lathe. Spin at about 350 rpm and polish away. An hour ago they looked manky.
Click to expand...
Does look lovely, though we once bought a boat with all bronze fittings ( a lot) polished to a shine (by the owner's "boatboy" - did not stay that way once we owned it.
 
This is what I use to polish stainless but could also be used to polish any material.

IMGP2577_zps67392154.jpg


IMGP2578_zpsf6bb7cf6.jpg


IMGP2579_zps9fab7fcf.jpg


It may be over fill but it gets the job done quickly
 
If you're trying to slow oxidation/corrosion to keep them looking better for longer you could try Turtle Wax Gloss Guard - its about £9 for a plastic bottle. Its a nano-technology coating that goes on as thin as water, but leaves a film that seems to semi-seal surfaces like brass and GRP (e.g. hull) for months so they take much longer to tarnish or dull/stain. On cars its used after car polish to preserve the shine. I use it extensively and successfully on stainless pushpit/pullpit/boarding ladder to guard against tarnishing. Several other manufacturers have similar products.
 
Amulet said:
Refurbing the forehatch. I think that you'll agree that these hinges:
View attachment 44132
are shiny, and really look the business.
This is the secret:
View attachment 44133
Stick a tampon soaked in metal polish in a Jacobs chuck on the lathe. Spin at about 350 rpm and polish away. An hour ago they looked manky.
Click to expand...

Great idea. I have some hatch fittings that have 'gone' and need restoring. I'll then spray them as noted in other posts. Perfect.
 
Lakesailor said:
That's posh. Having a different tool for each mop.
Click to expand...


I hate changing tools in the middle of a job. It also speed the job up.

Lost count of how many small angle grinders I have with different attachments for different jobs.

Also have 2 completely separate tool kits saving me carrying all my tools over the long distance from home to boat and it not possible to just nip home to get a tool I have forgotten.
 
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