The Cleaning, Polishing and Protective Waxing of Brass and Copper – Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) Notes 9/3

Introduction

All copper and copper alloy objects, e.g. brass and bronze, on exhibition or in storage in a museum require periodic maintenance and cleaning.

Cleaning enhances the appearance of copper objects, and helps to reduce further deterioration by removing sources of corrosion such as grease, dust, metal polish residues, and fingerprints. Polishing, by contrast, is an abrasive operation that removes tarnish and some surface metal. Repeated polishing results in loss of surface detail. Note that the frequency of both cleaning and polishing can be reduced by applying a protective wax coating.

When cleaning a copper object, the first consideration is whether or not it should have a polished appearance. Many items, such as cookware, acquire a stable tarnish during use. Others, such as medals and statuary, may have been artificially patinated when made. Still others, such as scientific instruments, have coloured lacquer coatings that are an important feature of their original appearance. Some "bronze" statues from the late 19th or early 20th century may have been cast in a soft white metal and "bronzed" with a tinted, transparent varnish (consult CCI Notes 9/9 Care of Objects Made of Zinc). Polishing, or even cleaning with a solvent, could remove this varnish from the high points, thus disfiguring the piece. The patina on Oriental bronzes is highly prized and should never be polished.

The appropriate appearance for an individual object must be determined by curatorial research and consultation. If uncertainty exists on this point, it is safest to clean without polishing. For objects in storage, always limit treatment to cleaning.

Work Space

A clear work space is required, with a bench or table, good illumination, and suitable ventilation. A few layers of paper on the table will protect it from stains and provide some cushioning for the object. The paper should be changed frequently to keep the work surface clean. A tray to hold cleaning materials will help contain any accidental spills. A space should also be set aside for making notes.

Cleaning

Before attempting to clean an object, record its accession numbers in case cleaning and/or polishing removes them. Next put on clean cotton gloves to avoid transferring the moisture, corrosive salts, and oils in your fingers to the freshly cleaned and polished metal surfaces.

Begin the cleaning process by brushing away dry dust and dirt. Brushes made of hog bristle are recommended, and several types are useful. Conduct overall cleaning with brushes whose bristles are set at right angles to the handle, such as natural bristle toothbrushes (soft or medium) or jewellers' watchbrushes. More detailed work can be carried out with round artists' oil painting bristle brushes (sizes 4–6) or stencil brushes.

To remove greasy residues, apply a mixture of equal volumes of methyl hydrate (methanol) and water with cotton swabs or Q-tips. Where the grease proves resistant, a stencil brush may help. A few drops of a mild detergent added to the mixture will help to cut grease (consult CCI Notes 13/9 Anionic Detergent). Always carry out a preliminary test to see if the cleaning solution will remove accession numbers.

Polish residues from previous treatments should also be removed. These are usually found as grey, white, or green deposits in inaccessible areas of the object. If they prove resistant to the procedure described above, use a wooden toothpick moistened with a mixture of equal volumes of methyl hydrate and water.

If you find waxes, paints, or lacquers during cleaning, determine whether or not they originate from manufacture or from use of the object, i.e. if they are part of the object's history. The preservation of these layers can be technically difficult, and their removal usually requires chemicals that are both toxic and flammable. These problem cases should be referred to a conservator for advice or treatment.

Polishing

Polishing is an abrasive process. If polishing is necessary, always begin with the mildest and least harmful method.

The gentlest procedure is to lightly rub the metal surface with a paste of precipitated chalk and water on a soft cloth (consult CCI Notes 9/7 Silver — Care and Tarnish Removal).

Next in abrasiveness is jewellers' cloth, which has an outer layer of flannelette and an inner layer of flannel impregnated with jewellers' rouge (hematite), a fine abrasive. Gently and evenly rub the inner layer of the cloth over the surface of the metal, and then remove the residual rouge by polishing with the soft outer cloth.

If jewellers' cloth is not sufficient, consider a wadding-type polish applied with a soft cloth. However, proceed carefully as excessive rubbing could produce noticeable scratches on the surface of the metal. Finish by hand buffing with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth.

Be cautious of commercial polishes such as Brasso. Those formulated for automotive or stainless steel cleaning often contain very hard particles which can scratch the softer alloys of copper. Some products contain tarnish inhibitors that leave a film on the surface, making further treatments difficult. Many metal polishes contain ammonia, which can dissolve copper in some conditions.

Waxing

A wax coating will provide some protection against both the environment and handling. A suitable wax can be prepared by mixing equal volumes of Shellsol or Varsol with a bleached micro-crystalline paste wax. Ensure that the wax contains no synthetic components, such as polyethylene, as these will make it difficult to remove. This mixture should then be stored in a sealed jar. To apply the wax, wipe or brush it evenly over the clean metal and then set the object aside for the solvent to evaporate. Alternatively, if the metal is not attached to wood, ivory, or other heat-sensitive materials, apply the wax and then heat the object with a hair dryer to melt the wax evenly over the surface and into the recesses. Finish by blotting the object (while still warm) with tissues to remove excess wax.

After the wax has set, buff the surface with a clean, lint-free cloth. A thin layer of wax will remain on the metal. To reduce the need for frequent cleaning, protect waxed objects from dust. When the need arises for further cleaning and polishing, the wax can be removed easily with odourless mineral spirits. This procedure should leave paints, lacquers, and accession numbers unaffected, but it is best to conduct a preliminary test.

Lacquering

Polished copper alloy objects are sometimes lacquered to protect them from handling and the environment. However, museum objects should not generally be treated in this manner. No matter how well lacquer is applied, it always alters the appearance of an object. Also, applying a lacquer is a tacit acceptance of a failure in other areas of protection, e.g. the object is being handled more than it should, precautions against handling are being ignored, or the object is not being cleaned properly after use. Nevertheless, there are situations where lacquering is an appropriate treatment even if all other possible precautions are taken, especially if the object was originally lacquered and the coating has worn off or been deliberately removed.

There are two potential problems with lacquering. It is difficult to apply lacquer in a very thin yet even coat, and it is difficult to remove lacquer should it be necessary. The first problem can be addressed by taking the object to a company that specializes in applying lacquers and has the equipment and expertise necessary to do it well. Such companies can also remove lacquers.

Safety Considerations

Solvents such as methyl hydrate (methanol) and odourless mineral spirits should be used only in well-ventilated conditions. Skin contact should be avoided. Ingestion of these solvents can be fatal. (Odourless mineral spirits is specified because the process of making the solvent odourless removes many of the more hazardous impurities.)

To dispose of small amounts of left-over solvent or solvents in cleaning cloths, etc., allow them to evaporate to dryness in a well-ventilated area, such as in the open air or in a fume hood. Solid residues, when completely dry, can be discarded in plastic bags.

Suppliers

Note: The following information is provided only to assist the reader. Inclusion of a company in this list does not in any way imply endorsement by the Canadian Conservation Institute.

Odourless mineral spirits and methyl hydrate (methanol)

Hardware stores

Precipitated chalk

Conservation or laboratory suppliers

Cotton swabs or Q-tips

Drugstores

Bleached paste wax

Hardware stores

Lacquer

Incralac is available from conservation suppliers or suppliers to the metal finishing industry

Wadding-type polishes

Hardware stores

Jewellers' watch-brushes and jewellers' cloth

Clock and jewellery repair shops

Cotton gloves

Photography stores or conservation suppliers

Bibliography

1. Long, D. Caring for Silver and Copper Alloy Objects (PDF document). Conserve O Gram 10/2 ( 1999 ), pp. 1–4. Available from the Web site of the National Park Service

2. Moffett, D.L. "Wax Coatings on Ethnographic Metal Objects: Justification for Allowing a Tradition to Wane." Journal of the American Institute for Conservation 35 ( 1996 ): pp. 1–7.

By Bob Barclay and Charles Hett

Originally published 1983
Revised 1988 , 2007

Copies also available in French.
Texte également publié en version française.

©Minister of Public Works and Government Services, Canada, 2007
Cat. Nº NM 95-57/9-3-2007E
ISSN 0714-6221