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Q&As since 1989


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Cleaning and Polishing Bronze sailboat hardware

I am restoring a forty year old sailboat with many bronze cast and machined pieces of hardware that have a greenish black patina. What would be a good cleaner to clean and polish the bronze up? Also, is there a product or products that would help to keep the bronze shiny?

Thanks,

W. Scott Wallace
- Cincinnati, Ohio
2003

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I find a polish called "Porter's Friend" works great on brass.

Good Luck

Sara Warren
- Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
2005

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2006

I too am bringing back an older beauty with tons of bronze. I have tried just about everything that I can get my hands on. In so far as products are concerned, I have found that 3M's marine metal polish and restorer is one of the best, a little expensive but a small bit goes a long way. Also, a product called Nevr-Dull [affil links], sort of a cotton wadding with a bit of solvent in it works well.

All of the products I have tried require one user input, a lot of elbow grease. When you get to a piece that seems particularly stubborn, try a very fine wet sandpaper, 400 to 600 grit.

Kelly Kosolofski
- Sooke, British Columbia, Canada

Where does one buy Porter's Friend product?

craig maurer
- massillon, ohio
May 11, 2010

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Ed. note: it's a product of North American Polish Co., Birmingham, MI.