Bronze Portlights

[emlesnick]

Hello all

Did a search and didn't find much out there.

I have just removed my first (of many) Bronze portlights. Has anyone had any success with any specific brand or technique for cleaning them up? Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I did not see very good results so far today.

[cabo_sailor]

You might try New Found Metals. You don't give a lot work with, How many, what size, whats wrong with what you have?

[emlesnick]

Im sorry if I wasnt clear. Im trying to find ways and products to clean them up. To remove the oxidation and brighten them up.

I can replace them through Robin Hood Marine which has the old Spartan Marine casts. Hopefully, I dont have to replace any! $$$

[Cheechako]

Bronze wool I forget what acid bath works well, dilute of course. Any brass cleaner with elbow grease. They will turn again though. Brown not so bad, green could use a clean up . I don't mind them if they are all uniform green though!

[Tailwheel]

Vinegar works well. You mix in some salt and then make a paste out of it with flour so it won't run off. Exact proportions available on the web, but not terribly critical in my experience.

[emlesnick]

Thanks very much! Will try and report back.

Idk if you can see in one of the pictures. But at each corner of the coverplate there is a different product. In the bowl is a mixture of vinegar,flour,salt. It worked as well as anything else

[Orion Jim]

If you want to remove all the oxidation from those beautiful Spartan opening ports you may want to invest in a bench grinder and a buffing wheel. Jewelers rouge buffing compound will do the job. There may be a harsh chemical which will do the job but I'd be very careful.
Have you asked Spartan what they reccommend?

[markwesti]

Why get rid of lovely patina ? If you must , wet sand with 600 wet/dry paper and then polish with Mothers or my favorite Never Dul .

[Lepke]

Since the ports are out, the easiest way is to use a buffer wheel on a grinder type motor. This one's $99 at Northern Tool, but a cheaper one can be had at Harbor Freight.
FREE SHIPPING — Ironton Benchtop Buffer — 3/4 HP, 8in. Dia. Wheel | Polishers| Northern Tool + Equipment
You buy stick rubbing compound made for the material you wish to buff and rub the stick on the wheel as needed. I've done dozens of ports and other brass/bronze fittings this way. Quickest way I know.
In the USN, to keep brass/bronze shiny, after achieving a great shine, we wiped with acetone and then coated with a plastic brush on coating. My job was on the bridge. Captain never figured it out and was always complementing the bridge crew on all the work they put into keeping the fittings and panels shined. They never were reshined after the coating.

[emlesnick]

Guys thanks so much for the advice!

I didnt ask spartan yet but I will talk to them.

Any idea what the brush on plasic coating was?

Well here is the update.



That is after soaking in white vinegar.

The problem is with the opening portion. I don't want the vinegar to hurt the rubber seal or the caulking that holds in the glass.

[Cheechako]

I doubt the vinegar will hurt the seal.

[Bluemansailor]

Originally Posted by emlesnick

Im sorry if I wasnt clear. Im trying to find ways and products to clean them up. To remove the oxidation and brighten them up.

I can replace them through Robin Hood Marine which has the old Spartan Marine casts. Hopefully, I dont have to replace any! $$$

Use a paste of salt and vinegar, let sit for 24 hours wash off with bronze wool, and buff up. Did it to my 12 bronze portols..

[Tailwheel]

Lookin' good!