Good morning! I'm new to this neighborhood and have a question for the experts. I recently purchased an LV Aronson Elephant Incense Burner (probably 1920). It is bronze - there is one selling on Ebay right now. Mine is dark (from grime?) and need to safely clean it to restore the color before I list it on Ebay. I read that you can safely clean it with soap, warm water, and nylon brush - but that didn't work. Can someone help me?
try dishwashing liquid just dampen the cloth (I use microfiber) and clean, otherwise check out cleaning solutions for bronze. another thing to try is thoothpaste (the white kind and very ,very little of it using your fingers then rinse with water) in an incospicuos area of your item and see if it cleans. good luck !
"Bronze disease" is one of the most serious hazards of bronze. This disease, caused when chlorides and oxygen combine in a damp environment, also attacks brass and pewter. The disease takes the form of a sudden outbreak of small patches of corrosion and is distinguished by rough, light green spots. "Bronze disease" usually can be stopped by washing the piece in repeated changes of boiling hot, distilled water. You may have to soak the object for a week or more in distilled water. If this treatment does not work, consult a museum expert about using a strong solution of sodium sesqui-carbonate or have your piece treated by a professional.
General Purpose Bronze Cleaner: Salt, Vinegar, and Flour. Dissolve 1 teaspoon salt in 1 cup white vinegar. Add enough flour to make a paste. Apply paste to bronze and let sit for 15 minutes to 1 hour. Rinse with clean, warm water, and polish dry.
there is this stuff i have heard of called "pre-lim surface cleaner". it is used for restoring metal items like arms and armour. you may want to see if you can get your hands on some. :)
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