Great observation and question!
I first bathed the winch braces in vinegar over about 5 hours using a large plastic bucket. Along with them, I dumped the bronze bolts and nuts. After about 5 hours the vinegar had stripped away all the patina. I then used my high speed drill with wire brush to further clean and buff, to some degree, the braces. For the bolts I used a wire brush by hand.
Once complete I used the product, Permalac, to provide a protective coating to these pieces. Permalac is available through their online distributors for about thirteen dollars. I've found vinegar to be my best secret weapon of all in dealing with bronze!
Here is a close-up view of the fashionable "motor mount" which is another one of the most obvious bronze pieces on the vessel:
A long, deep, soaking in vinegar takes away the grunge and the wire brush finishes off the polishing. Permelac helps to maintain the natural bronze.
A long soak in vinegar eats away all those hard to get-at places! The wire does the final polish!
Skeep
Supporting Member #1576 of the CDSOA
Current Vessel, Alberg 30 Hull #614 to be named yet
Formerly S/V Hull #729 "Baggy Wrinkles"
Blogsite for Alberg Ty and Alberg 30 continues at
http://baggywrinkles.blogspot.com
Located at Lake Murray Sailing Club, Chapin South Carolina