Best solution for cleaning severely tarnished bronze

[WindLove]

What's the best way to clean off some old, severely tarnished, bronze hatch latches? I have tried the regular cleaners I think. Would muriatic acid work? -- I know, I hate using something that strong too, but if it's a matter of either that or buying new latches I would try it. Anything else?

[s/v Jedi]

A Dremel tool with Scotchbrite wheel.

[colemj]

The best way to clean, and keep clean, bronze is to decide the aged green patina look is better than the new brown shiny look.

Mark

[atoll]

dissolve salt in vinegar in a pot heating gently,then paint on to bronze .
it will dissolve the verdigris,once clean ,spray with laquer varnish or hair spray to preserve.

[Orion Jim]

Here's the quick and easy way, buy a bottle of On and Off by Mary Kate. Soak a rag with this stuff and wipe it on. The tarnish comes right off. Rinse with fresh water and treat the bronze as you desire.

[WindLove]

In the process of trying these two suggestions....had heard of vinegar mixed with various things but not the heated part. I will let you know which seems to work. All of these suggestions are much appreciated.

[captain58sailin]

We used to use crest toothpaste and scrub it with a brush. Clear laquer to keep it shiny.

[Jim Cate]

Slight drift: When you buy a brass lantern from Worst Marine or such, it comes coated with some sort of clear finish. This works wonderfully well for a while... heat resistant, glossy, absolutely impervious to salt air, etc. Eventually pinholes develop and over a few years it breaks down in spots and looks pretty crappy.

Questions:
1. Does anybody know exactly what this stuff is and where to get it?
2. What will take the old stuff off? The usual solvents don't seem to touch it (acetone, lacquer thinner, MEK, Trichloro, turps, etc).

Thanks for any info.

Jim

[Ocean Girl]

Don't know Jim but tung oil is great for keeping it pretty and won't crack or peel off . We have some bronze hinges that I thought were toast, but will try the remedies suggested.

[HansSolo]

We have Everbright protect clear on our brass and its held up really good so far after a year Restore Metal and Keep Metal Looking Its Best
Also the Mass polish is some of the best polish Ive used. Heres a post we recently did about both Shine On

[gjordan]

I recently bought an old Perko cabin lamp that looked like hell. I soaked it overnight in a plastic coffee container of white vinegar. It came out free of oxidation, but very dull bronze looking. A lot of time with Brasso, made it look OK, but I think I will try what Hans solo has recommended. ______Grant.

[poiu]

Another suggestion. Remove the corroded part, use electrolysis to remove the top layer by putting it in a bucket of salt water attached to a small battery and the + end of the battery to a steel nail. After a few hours or maybe a day, polish, dry and coat with acrylic spray lacquer (also good to protect circuit boards). I did a ship's lamp like that 12 years ago. Still looks good with just a few green spots.

[casual]

Ketchup any brand. Clings doesn't smell apply let sit stiff tooth brush. Repeat every month or Go Green .

[Pete7]

Brush on brick or patio cleaner (aka Hydrochloric acid) with an old tooth brush and leave for a while before washing off. Turns bronze a nice shiney pink colour and removes crud from stainless steel props a treat with little or no effort.



Pete

[sartorst]

after cleaning Penetrol