What Is the Quickest Way to Shine Bronze?

Bronze develops a patina and loses its shine with age.

Shining and polishing brings out the natural luster in your bronze items. Dull bronze looks dirty and may develop tarnish or corrosion if not polished promptly. The quickest way to shine your bronze depends on whether it has a lacquered or unlacquered finish. Lacquered bronze regains its shine quickly with minimal labor, while unlacquered bronze may require more in-depth cleaning and polishing to regain its former luster. Lacquered bronze has a sheen to it even when dirty, while unlacquered pieces become dull.

Things You'll Need

• Bowl
• Dish soap
• Lint-free cloths
• Salt
• Vinegar

Instructions

1. Fill a bowl with lukewarm water. Add two to three drops of liquid dish soap if the bronze isn't lacquered, or leave the water plain for lacquered pieces.

2. Dampen a lint-free, soft cloth in the water. Wipe down the entire bronze item with the moistened cloth, removing any dust or dirt buildup. Rinse in clear water.

3. Coat the surface of unlacquered bronze with salt, applying a thin coat. Pour white vinegar over the salted bronze.

4. Rub the salt and vinegar solution onto the bronze with the cloth. The vinegar and salt works to dislodge any corrosion or tarnish on the bronze surface.

5. Rinse the salt from the unlacquered bronze with clear lukewarm water.

6. Rub both lacquered and unlacquered bronze dry with a clean, lint-free cloth. Drying the bronze brings out its natural luster.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a commercial liquid wax for bronze to bring out the shine if the unlacquered piece still appears dull after washing and shining with the cloth.

• Do not soak lacquered bronze in water, as soaking causes the lacquer to peel off.

References

• Michigan State University; Cleaning Bronze; June 2003
• University of Georgia Extension; How to Care for Your Furnishings; Dale Dorman