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How to polish bronze sea strainers

Discussion in 'Engines' started by 993RSR, Jul 20, 2020.

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  1. 993RSR, Jul 20, 2020
    #1
    993RSR

    993RSR Senior Member

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    I like to hide in my engine room and clea, detail and paint. I noticed my strainer assemblies are looking pretty old and nasty. The casting is a rough surface. Any magical way of cleaning them up?
    93DADC0E-DDC9-41C7-923D-8290F876AC78.jpeg
  2. MBevins, Jul 20, 2020
    #2
    MBevins

    MBevins Senior Member

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  3. 993RSR, Jul 20, 2020
    #3
    993RSR

    993RSR Senior Member

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    Brasso? I got that free at Parris island. Remember the smell fondly. I will give it a try. Thanks
  4. Pascal, Jul 20, 2020
    #4
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    It s normal for bronze to turn green. But if you have nothing else to worry about, good for you :)
  5. gr8trn, Jul 20, 2020
    #5
    gr8trn

    gr8trn Senior Member

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    As long as you can open for the strainer and open and close the seacock handle you look good to me.
  6. Capt Ralph, Jul 20, 2020
    #6
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I used to apply ON/OFF Gell with a chipping brush to all that brass and bronze, in and out,, AND run like heck.
    The fumes will affect you.
    An hour or more later, wash off with water. With water, scrub all clean with a toilette brush. When dry, do it again.
    The bronze will turn yellow/gold. Seems to build it's own skin and look good for a long time.
  7. NYCAP123, Jul 20, 2020
    #7
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Been around forever. If it ain't broke.....
  8. gr8trn, Jul 20, 2020
    #8
    gr8trn

    gr8trn Senior Member

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    Taco Bell hot sauce works too.
  9. bayoubud, Jul 21, 2020
    #9
    bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    Make a paste with vinegar, salt, and flour. Apply it to the bronze strainer with a brush and let sit overnight. Clean with a wire brush and freshwater, coat with Corrosion X. Spray Corrosion X on it occasionally and you will not have to clean it again. Never have liked that patina green bronze appearance, even though it usually is not a problem.
  10. PacBlue, Jul 21, 2020
    #10
    PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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  11. wingless, Jul 23, 2020
    #11
    wingless

    wingless Member

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    Bronze is an excellent metal that may be polished to be super shiny, resembling brass.

    These parts were abrasively polished, using woven pad wheels and discs using either a straight air grinder or a right angle air grinder.

    On my boat I kept some parts bare and highly polished. Other parts were painted with Pettit 6455/044 Metal Primer, then Interlux 2000E Barrier Coat Primer, then Rustoleum Professional High Performance Aerosol Spray Paint.

    The painted parts have retained a glossy plastic appearance for well over a decade.


    [​IMG]
  12. NYCAP123, Jul 23, 2020
    #12
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    When my father-in-law was in the Navy he was assigned the duty to care for the brass. He painted it gray.;) Wasn't appreciated. lol. On a serious note, when cleaning up these strainers be careful not to damage seals.
  13. wingless, Jul 23, 2020
    #13
    wingless

    wingless Member

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    Here is a part painted w/ the metal primer.


    [​IMG]
  14. wingless, Jul 23, 2020
    #14
    wingless

    wingless Member

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    Here are some bare polished parts.


    [​IMG]
  15. wingless, Jul 24, 2020
    #15
    wingless

    wingless Member

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    Here are some more parts that were changed from rough casting exterior to highly polished.


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
  16. rtrafford, Jul 24, 2020
    #16
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Just a heads up. This is a very dangerous and unhealthy practice. You need to get out of that engine room as quickly as possible.

    And get into mine.
    Watersprite likes this.
  17. 993RSR, Jul 25, 2020
    #17
    993RSR

    993RSR Senior Member

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    That reminds me of a unfortunate incident a few years ago in the Palm Beach area. A mate or skipper was detailing his engine room with Brakleen. Viking SF. The highly flammable variety that caused quite the explosion. He was hurt and the boat was heavily damaged.
  18. 993RSR, Jul 25, 2020
    #18
    993RSR

    993RSR Senior Member

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    Viking Yacht Explodes
    March 06, 2013 10:01AM News Wire
    [​IMG]An explosion in the engine room of a 65-foot Viking put one man in the hospital with extensive burns and left the sportfishing yacht with major structural damage.

    Early reports claim the explosion occurred when the 32-year-old captain used a combustible cleaning product in the engine room. The cleaner ignited after coming in contact with a spark, creating the explosion.

    The blast blew out all of the windows on the boat and left a giant hole in the side of the hull. The fiberglass split to the water line and the first floor of the vessel was pushed up into the second floor, according to Pompano Beach Fire Rescue.

    The boat was docked near Hillsborough Inlet, Florida when the blast went off on Tuesday, March 5th. The captain was brought to Broward Health North and then Jackson Memorial for treatment.
  19. bayoubud, Jul 25, 2020
    #19
    bayoubud

    bayoubud Senior Member

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    Amazing the Capt wasn't killed.
  20. rtrafford, Jul 25, 2020
    #20
    rtrafford

    rtrafford Senior Member

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    Holy smokes! How effective was the cleaner? (too soon?)
    Watersprite likes this.
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