Learn me Cleaning old Bras or Bronze Bells

As the title should say brass and or bronze, I am trying to figure out how to clean an old bell at my local church. We do not want to use a grinder to clean it either. I am assuming this bell is about as old as the church its self (200 years) the reason. We are redoing the base that the bell sits on and thought it would be nice to be able to have the bell clean for when celebrate 200 year of our church being there.

thank you, Dave

To clean old bras, use the delicate cycle with a gentle detergent like Woolite, or hand wash. Air dry for best results.

Can't help you with the bell.

In reply to Volksrodden:

Just throw the old bras in a washer. As for even having bronze balls(sp), my hat's off to you, sir.

edit; too slow!

Now I'm confused, Bras And Brass Balls? I thought it was either or.

I could fix the title, but I'm not. It amuses me too much.

You are seeking help on cleaning old bras from a bunch of car guys? Just how dirty are the women you date anyway?
I dont concern myself with cleaning them, just getting them on the floor.

You can have the bell dunked / electrolysis /sonic cleaner and then polished pretty cheap. But honestly unless it is pitted really bad a quick polish with some brass cut will work wonders.

I don't have a clue how to deal with the bras.

Gentle cycle - cool water - air dry, alternatively, hot tub?

Wife deals with the bras, I stay away from that laundry.

You poor bastard. You are gonna get exactly no useful information, all for the want of a second "S".

Streetwiseguy wrote: You poor bastard. You are gonna get exactly no useful information, all for the want of a second "S".

I didn't know about Woolite and gentle cycle....

Shouldn't the patina remain ? On the bell.

iceracer wrote: Shouldn't the patina remain ? On the bell.

^^^This!! Cleaning the bell erases the evidence that it is 200 years old. Plus the fact that the patina is protecting the bell from further deteriation.

If I had to choose, I'd go with the bras. So much less lifting involved.

Hal wrote:

iceracer wrote: Shouldn't the patina remain ? On the bell.

^^^This!! Cleaning the bell erases the evidence that it is 200 years old. Plus the fact that the patina is protecting the bell from further deteriation.

that has a good ring to it. I wouldn't touch it either

Any potential for humor has been mined from this thread.

As for the bell, I see 2 approaches.

• You've got 200 years of irreplaceable patina. Make the base really perfect and beautiful so it emphasizes the age, resilience, permanence and solidity of the old bell. Leave it be.

• You get voted down and have to clean it. Submerge it in a solution of water and muriatic acid. This is used for cleaning crusty bronze marine hardware and castings. It'll remove all the green stuff. Follow up with stainless steel brushes and Scotchbrite pads. It's possible, albeit tedious to buff the entire thing after that using cloth+felt wheels and buffing compounds to restore it to a mirror polish - but it'll tarnish and turn brown then green eventually.

We cleaned and polished a lot of brass in one of my old jobs, and orange or tomato juice worked as well as or better than almost anything for cleaning. Try it yourself next time you get a taco, hot sauce on a penny and it'll look new minted before you finish your snack.

EastCoastMojo wrote: If I had to choose, I'd go with the bras. So much less lifting involved.

I thought that's what bras did

mad_machine wrote:

Hal wrote:

iceracer wrote: Shouldn't the patina remain ? On the bell.

^^^This!! Cleaning the bell erases the evidence that it is 200 years old. Plus the fact that the patina is protecting the bell from further deteriation.

that has a good ring to it. I wouldn't touch it either

What you did there, I see it.

http://americanbell.org/forum/index.php?c=9 In particular, the big bells forum. It's where people who are really into church bells hang out and discuss the care and feeding of them.

carguy123 wrote: Now I'm confused, Bras And Brass Balls? I thought it was either or.

Then it's called the Bro

Wally wrote:

carguy123 wrote: Now I'm confused, Bras And Brass Balls? I thought it was either or.

Then it's called the Bro

Manzier!

Thanks for all the help (and smart ass answers, no offence taken). I be starting this project tomorrow, and will let you guys know how it turns out later. As for the bras, the girlfriend takes care of them,...and most of the other laundry :)

HUGE let down....

Why am I reminded of the opening scene from Cool Hand Luke?