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How to clean bronze seacocks

  • February 23, 2013 8:57 PM
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    Message # 1225034
    Deleted user
    Any ideas on how to clean bronze seacocks/thru-hulls when they are still installed? I want to get them down to metal and then put lanolin on them to protect them. I want to make sure they aren't going soft on me.

    Having a bit of a hassle finding the right system, especially for the hard to reach hidden bits.

    I thought a Dremel would do the trick, but the little brass brush lasted about a minute.

    I tried bronze wool, it just got squished into a wad. Brass brushes on a drill are too awkward and won't reach the hidden parts. Hand held brushes also don't seem like the right tool, and are great knuckle-busters.

    Should I soften up the verdigris first, or? Use a green scrubbie, cut into manageable pieces, perhaps?

    Thanks for any suggestions.




  • February 24, 2013 3:35 PM
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    Reply # 1225381 on 1225034
    Anonymous member
    Gewt some toilet bowl cleaner (the higher the acid content, the better) and brush it on.  It will remove the green film on the bronze.  Then wash off well, clean any residue with a bronze wire brush, and then coat with anything you want.
  • February 25, 2013 4:09 AM
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    Reply # 1225690 on 1225034
    Anonymous member
    Try Easy Off Oven Cleaner

    I'm in the midst of reinstalling my portlights after having the deck/cabin repainted.

    I'd been soaking them in a bath of muratic acid with good results until I started cleaning the one over the galley stove.  Lord knows how much grease had built up over the years but the muratic acid was not cutting it.  The only thing I could think of to get in all the nook & crannies was spray on oven cleaner.  Not only did it cut the grease I swear that portlight is much more 'bare metal' than the others where I had used muratic acid alone. 

    If you decide to try it let us know how it worked on sea-cocks.
  • February 25, 2013 9:04 AM
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    Reply # 1225849 on 1225034
    Deleted user
    Thanks for the suggestions, but the seacocks are still installed, so soaking them in muriatic acid will be a little tricky. I used muriatic for my portlights, too, and it worked great. I also don't want to be filling my bilge with either toilet bowl cleaner or oven cleaner when rinsing them off.

    I did a search and came up with the option of emery cloth and oil, like 3-in-1, I guess. I'll give that a try in the next couple of days.

    There aren't any nooks or crannies that I can't actually reach, so a strip of emery cloth over a finger tip should get those hard to reach spots.
    Last modified: February 25, 2013 9:06 AM | Deleted user
  • February 25, 2013 5:46 PM
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    Reply # 1226281 on 1225034
    Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Stephen:

    I asked Bob Knobloch your question (before the other replies) since I know he really likes his bronze looking sharp (see above) .  His method would require the removal of the seacock/ thru-hulls.

    "When I  restore a bronze part, I dissemble, soak in muratic acid, rinse in water, high speed bench wire bursh, wash and thoroughly dry and then apply varnish or spray with clear lacquer."

    Jay

    Last modified: February 25, 2013 5:47 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)
  • February 27, 2013 3:28 PM
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    Reply # 1229284 on 1225034
    Anonymous member
    Look at the body of the seacock just above the drain plug.  It looks like there might be a water spot.  Do you see it Gary?  Do you see it Jim, bud, Steve, Mike?  Maybe its just a photo spot.  Do you see it Jay?  I think its a water spot.  Should we notify Bob..?
    Last modified: February 27, 2013 3:29 PM | Anonymous member
  • February 27, 2013 3:46 PM
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    Reply # 1229290 on 1225034
    Deleted user
    I think you're right, there's a little something there. Better get her back up on the hard, pop that sucker off and re&re it.
  • February 27, 2013 4:30 PM
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    Reply # 1229319 on 1225034
    Anonymous member
    hahahahaha Dave, I don't look at pictures of Bobs boat because I start to get an inferiority complex :)
  • February 28, 2013 6:59 PM
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    Reply # 1230370 on 1225034
    Anonymous member
    It's not just that spot... maybe it's just my CDO* kicking in but I noticed his hose clamps are out of alignment as well.


    * CDO... thats OCD but in alphabetical order... the way it should be.
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