I recently purchased a cd 26. I was wondering what you think the best cleaner I should use on the cleats. Is Brasso the only answer to dark brown brass. Are the cleats brass or bronze? Any help will be appreciated.
kkelly@aol.com
making a cd 26 shine
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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D. Stump, Hanalei
Re: making a cd 26 shine
Don,
When Carol & I were contemplating buying Hanalei this past spring, one of the first questions she asked the boat yard manager was "How do we clean all the exterior bronze fittings?" The yard manager, a real salty sort, accomplished wooden boat builder, Navigator, Captain and all around sailor responded with "What?, Don't you want the boat to look as if she has been somewhere?"
One easy way to clean the bronze is to use "On & Off" hull cleaner. This is an acid! So, be careful! It will clean off all the green real quick, but of course, it will all turn green again in about three weeks on the water. I cleaned one winch drum on Hanalei with it and it worked great, but the drum was back to green three weeks later.
Verdigre (sp) is the natural weathering color of bronze, it is part of the marine environment. I personally would like Hanalei's bronze to sparkle, but I don't have the crew to maintain it as it would be on an 1800's line of battle ship! Some things a Captain must just learn to live with. If you do find something that will keep the "green" away, post it here, I bet a lot of Skipper's would like to know.
When Carol & I were contemplating buying Hanalei this past spring, one of the first questions she asked the boat yard manager was "How do we clean all the exterior bronze fittings?" The yard manager, a real salty sort, accomplished wooden boat builder, Navigator, Captain and all around sailor responded with "What?, Don't you want the boat to look as if she has been somewhere?"
One easy way to clean the bronze is to use "On & Off" hull cleaner. This is an acid! So, be careful! It will clean off all the green real quick, but of course, it will all turn green again in about three weeks on the water. I cleaned one winch drum on Hanalei with it and it worked great, but the drum was back to green three weeks later.
Verdigre (sp) is the natural weathering color of bronze, it is part of the marine environment. I personally would like Hanalei's bronze to sparkle, but I don't have the crew to maintain it as it would be on an 1800's line of battle ship! Some things a Captain must just learn to live with. If you do find something that will keep the "green" away, post it here, I bet a lot of Skipper's would like to know.
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Matt Cawthorne
Re: making a cd 26 shine
Don,
Life is too short to polish bronze. Your cd-26 will shine even if the bronze doesn't. Go sailing and learn to enjoy the wonderful verdigris.
Matt
mcawthor@bellatlantic.net
Life is too short to polish bronze. Your cd-26 will shine even if the bronze doesn't. Go sailing and learn to enjoy the wonderful verdigris.
Matt
don koerner wrote: I recently purchased a cd 26. I was wondering what you think the best cleaner I should use on the cleats. Is Brasso the only answer to dark brown brass. Are the cleats brass or bronze? Any help will be appreciated.
mcawthor@bellatlantic.net
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Bruce Bett
Re: making a cd 26 shine
Don:
Two years ago I stripped off the bronze winch pedestals on my CD25 I cleaned them with a mixture of vinegar and salt, and a wire brush in a electric drill. (This is how youo find out how good the insulation on you're drill is, very exciting!) After I cleaned them up I gave them several coats of lacquer. It looked really sharp for the first year. I did not redo it this year and a good portion of the lacquer has come off. I havn't tried it with cleats. Cleats get ware so I'm not sure how long the lacquer would last. Let me know if you figure anything better.
Bruce Bett
Sostenuto
CD 25 #496
Bett@stmp.munet.edu
Two years ago I stripped off the bronze winch pedestals on my CD25 I cleaned them with a mixture of vinegar and salt, and a wire brush in a electric drill. (This is how youo find out how good the insulation on you're drill is, very exciting!) After I cleaned them up I gave them several coats of lacquer. It looked really sharp for the first year. I did not redo it this year and a good portion of the lacquer has come off. I havn't tried it with cleats. Cleats get ware so I'm not sure how long the lacquer would last. Let me know if you figure anything better.
Bruce Bett
Sostenuto
CD 25 #496
don koerner wrote: I recently purchased a cd 26. I was wondering what you think the best cleaner I should use on the cleats. Is Brasso the only answer to dark brown brass. Are the cleats brass or bronze? Any help will be appreciated.
Bett@stmp.munet.edu
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Dave Olson
Re: making a cd 26 shine
You have been blessed with one of the most beautiful sailboats ever produced. Polishing the bronze makes your boat a real head-turner.
You aren't likely to find many people in this world who think it's worthwhile spending time polishing the bronze or laying on 8 coats of Epiphanes varnish on the brightwork. For most, sailing itself is a time/money/emotional commitment they are unable to make. Follow your own feelings when deciding on the "if to polish" question.
The vinegar/salt thing works very well to get the brown off. Then follow up with a metal polish. Practical Sailor says Brasso leaves noticeable scratches. Try a non-abrasive paste polish.
Or...go a step further and remove all the bronze, have it polished with jeweler's rouge and then re-bed it.
Good Luck!
Dave
Dave_Olson@Starkey.com
You aren't likely to find many people in this world who think it's worthwhile spending time polishing the bronze or laying on 8 coats of Epiphanes varnish on the brightwork. For most, sailing itself is a time/money/emotional commitment they are unable to make. Follow your own feelings when deciding on the "if to polish" question.
The vinegar/salt thing works very well to get the brown off. Then follow up with a metal polish. Practical Sailor says Brasso leaves noticeable scratches. Try a non-abrasive paste polish.
Or...go a step further and remove all the bronze, have it polished with jeweler's rouge and then re-bed it.
Good Luck!
Dave
don koerner wrote: I recently purchased a cd 26. I was wondering what you think the best cleaner I should use on the cleats. Is Brasso the only answer to dark brown brass. Are the cleats brass or bronze? Any help will be appreciated.
Dave_Olson@Starkey.com
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Carl Forsberg
Re: making a cd 26 shine
I have been using naval jelly for years on my bronze. Being a jel, it won't run. I first clean and wax the adjacent fiberglass, then mask around the fitting. Then I brush on the jel and leave for several hours. Using rubber gloves, I then carefully wipe off the jel with a damp cloth, rinsing the cloth frequently, never allowing the residue to come in contact with the fiberglass. I then follow this up with a cleaner such as Brasso. Tough spots may take a little #600 wet/dry sandpaper. The climate here in Colorado is kind to bronze and teak. For some of us, shiny bronze is an added treat to owning a Cape Dory. On the ocean, patina is good.
Cape Dory 22D - Sandpiper
Forsberg2@juno .com
Cape Dory 22D - Sandpiper
Forsberg2@juno .com