How To Clean & Polish Antique Bronze with David Harper

It’s very simple, takes hardly any time and costs very little in materials
Here’s an antique bronze I’m selling - I’ll show you how to clean, wax polish and improve the appearance of the bronze as well as maintain it and keep it in good order
This is a late 19th / early 20th century bronze figure on Cupid holding a bow.
AFTER CHARLES GABRIEL LEMIRE, FRENCH (1741-1827)
Titled: ENFANT À L'ARC
Thanks for watching
Cheers
David Harper
www.david-harp...
#david harper #bargain hunt #antiques road trip #flog it #Clean bronze #polish bronze #How To Clean & Polish Antique Bronze #Antique bronze care #how to care for bronze }how to restore antique bronze #restoring bronze #cleaning antique bronze

[@jonhickers]

It’s a pleasure to watch you work. Your passion for the medium is clear. Thank you for sharing.

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Thank you very much!

[@Rutlandeye]

Thanks for that David. I wonder if you will agree with a solution I had to invent. myself. High up on my house under a canopy I have a bronze bell cast by Newcombe in 1550 all part of a clock-tower Every time people in the past had painted under the canopy they had dropped dribbles of paint onto the bell Problem, how to remove the paint without affecting the patina. Nobody I spoke to could give me an answer. I could not use chemicals or scrub it so my solution was to chip it off. I needed something harder than the paint and softer than the bronze. So I used a 2p coin which had been flattened into a long cigar shape about 7 inches long and very thin and bendy. Worked a treat although it took hours. Followed that by soap and water to remove the bird shit and dirt and then gave it a good wax. Don't shout at me I used Traffic Wax because it is so durable and had a better chance in keeping the elements at bay. Tim

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Brilliant solution Tim. Worthy of a museum top tip I’d say! Cheers

[@cathrynbyrnes8737]

Beautiful statue. Thanks David!

[@user-rd1mt1qh8z]

I was taught to brush the dust and grit before you wipe the work down that way you don't cause any micro damage to the surface as the dust and grit can act as an abrasive.

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Good tip

[@helenabiesma5560]

love detail to the brons cleaning

[@flippintasty3310]

Thanks David😊👍 We absolutely love your videos👍 So helpful and fun at the same time😎😎🙏👍

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Thanks so much. D

[@RobertGipson]

Thanks for this David. Now I know what to do with my bronzes …if I had any.. nice job

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

My pleasure…go and find some bronzes!

[@shakielakarim6178]

Great tip David and video, thank you for sharing 😀 👍 😊 🙏 appreciate it 👍 😀

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

My pleasure

[@helenabiesma5560]

please don't worry about the dates getting it right - I am the same and it is refreshing then to be told about them - and a beautiful brons

[@davidjones6470]

Nice one David, interesting vid as always sir, like that t-shirt 👌

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Cheers David. I made the t’s to promote an exhibition a few years ago. One of my paintings ‘Guitar Players’

[@thanhalaipple6684]

I don’t normally like angels or cupids but that is a really nice piece and I would display that

[@FazioEliz]

David, thanks for the lesson. fazio

[@sallyhinkley1177]

Thank you David I have a similar mini version of this so going to get going with your technique

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Hope it works out well!

[@eddiehowarth8123]

Wow great job simple but it works thanks David

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

My pleasure, Cheers

[@antiquescentral]

Interesting you use clear wax? I was always taught clear wax can leave an opaque sheen on the surface so don't use it. The advice I was given was always to use black wax on metal.

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

I do use black/brown wax, but clear wax is fine as long as as you make sure you buff it all well and don't leave any in the hard to reach places, as it will look then like candle wax. Either or is fine. D

[@emperorvader3101]

When you're done with this sculpture..he he he....please send it to me first. :)

[@ElliotBrownJingles]

Marvellous video. Now to get some beeswax.

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Go for it!

[@skiracer]

Dear David Harper, is that your artwork on that shirt? Nice bronze! Thank you for yet another cool video about antiques! Hi from Colorado!

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Cheers Ski. It’s one of my paintings ‘Guitar Players’ I produced them for an exhibition I did in London a few years ago

[@shortferal]

Thank you for this encouraging video! I recently purchased a Hartmann bronze crucifix and the entire corpus with halo appears to be gilded. There is a very little pitting evident along the thighs and some green in the lines inside the nimbus. Do you recommend clear besswax on these parts? I wiped it off with dry cotton balls and q-tips, followed by water diluted dishwashing liquid on more cotton balls, then wiped down with warm water-only dampened cotton balls. It feels a little dicey adding the wax, since the body is mounted to a mahogany wood cross. Is there any brand of wax in the US you can recommend for this piece? That will be gentle on the gilding, plus not leaving white lines in the wood grain? Thank you again! I'd almost resigned myself to living with grimey layers on it, but not anymore! (edited for spelling)

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

thank you. Yes, beeswax is a wonder product and will certainly help. D

[@shortferal]

​​@@DavidHarperAntiquesTVThank you, I'm having a difficult time finding a paste wax just from beeswax and carnauba. The closest I can find has coconut oil added. Is that preferable to mineral oil? Do things like lemon or lavender oils adversely affect the PH, becoming too acid on the bronze or the gilding, if used along with the beeswax? I'm trying to source a jar of plain beeswax and carnauba, but it seems these ingredients require some other emulsifer ingredient? Can you tell me? I'm in your debt. Kindly, Juliet

[@eccuk777]

Thank you David👍---mine has some tiny dots of white paint (probably the previous owner was doing some renovation and didn't cover it up...), how can I get rid of them without damaging the surface? Thanks🙏

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Oh, the obligatory white paint! I have often found white paint spots on antiques…Shows that the piece has been in a home for a long period of time and a sign it’s not a repro! Be careful and use a little dab of hot water to loosen the spot and then gently pick it away with your finger nail or a plastic spoon. If that doesn’t work, try vinegar or white spirit. Then finish it with a wax. If it looks like you’re going to remove the patination, then that’s worse than the tiny white spots, so try it first on an area underneath or similar. Thanks for watching. D

[@pauldennehy104]

Thanks David, I am always afraid that I would overclean an item. Would like to know how you made the wax as I have access to wax from a bee hive

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

I’ll get around to making that video. Quite a few ingredients though!

[@carlitoswayz-Okan]

Hi. I just recently purchased a 6 foot bronze statue and it has some white deposits in a few areas that are hard. Looks like calcium deposits. What's the best way to remove it safely? Thanks!

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

I’d say just follow the instructions. Be gentle, don’t over do it as you can take away the patination

[@archiescat]

Great video David. Is just chlorinated tap water ok or distilled or rainwater maybe better?

[@gretchenhudgens4507]

Great video. Can u tell me what kind of cloth u used? Is it a jewelry cloth? Also, any beeswax in a jar is good, and do I need carnauba mix or either wax is ok?

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Just any soft cloth and a beeswax Polish, as long as it doesn’t have any silicone in it…good luck!

[@adam-uy6qg]

hi david, would you also do this with spelter ?

[@shannonbrown7488]

Do you know of a cleaner that is commercial available since I don't have access to yours? Can I just use plain beeswax?

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Yes, that’ll work

[@NYSESTRA]

What a wonderful video thank you for sharing it. I do have a question I hope you could answer- I’ve found a beautiful antique Japanese bronze dragon that I would like to purchase unfortunately I’ve spotted what appears to be bronze disease in its tail. Is there a cure for this or should I stay clear?

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

It’s never worried me, it’s part and parcel of what makes an antique. A good clean might help, but if you love it, why not own it!

[@OriginalNethead]

If you're an old dealer/collector, you clean old rhinestone jewelry with an old soft toothbrush.(like bronze, rhinestones do NOT like getting wet; it kills the paint on the back.) Get a new one for your teeth and use the old one to get uck out of tiny spots. An old paintbrush that's gone wonky are more likely in David's house. A wire brush on a bronze....ARGGGH! I have a small bronze hippo sitting here, not old at all, painted purple. I kid you not - that's how the artist made it. Too funny to leave behind.

[@user-or6pm4hn7c]

Hi David, can I use Daddy Van's All Natural Unscented Beeswax Furniture Polish? the ingredients are: Beeswax, Carnauba, and olive oil. Thank so much!

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Yes, absolutely

[@user-or6pm4hn7c]

thank you so much!

[@alanmeech69]

David, I have a few original French Art Deco spelter figures. There is no loss or damage but the colour/patina is dull, no shine or depth. Can this method be used on spelters or do you have a method for those? Thanks Alan.

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Good beeswax polish should help and yes this method shouldn’t cause any problems

[@estajurado]

David, thank you very much. I have an antique bronze religious medal. Can I purchase some wax from you? I've followed your technique for cleaning it. Now I just have to wax it. Thank you, David

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

The best wax to buy is beeswax…I don’t have any of mine left!

[@manguscarpenter9519]

Can you clean with steamer?

[@helenabiesma5560]

would those static clothes do the trick as well

[@JOSELOPEZ-zd2px]

Hello thanks for the video. Is mink oil okay to use? Or specifically what is the brand name of the proper wax to use? Thanks for your help 🤘🏽

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

My pleasure. Old fashioned furniture wax is best - beeswax with no silicone in it

[@luciengrondin5802]

If it was made in the 19th or 20th century then it's not antique, is it?

[@antoineagius]

Use deionised water

[@021423]

Good morning. I was given some very beautiful, bronze Holocaust medals years ago. They need to be cleaned; but I'm terrified of doing them damage. Could you please tell me if this method will work on them, the type of cloth to use, and the brand of wax? Lastly, how do I safely store them? I appreciate your help😊! Myra Kathryn

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Hi Kathryn, I’m sure the method will work - just do it lightly. A soft clean cloth and any beeswax polish (not silicone polish) Wrap them in cloth and put them in a drawer or display them in a glass cabinet. Best wishes

[@021423]

@@DavidHarperAntiquesTV Thank you kind sir! I will do exactly as you say! Your videos are AMAZING!!!🤗🤗🤗

[@mickmoore9782]

Can I send you some pictures of a statue they want me to clean? I would love to hear your advice.

[@helenabiesma5560]

I mean micro ones - who have long hairs loops

[@georgebelev1900]

Thanks for wasting my time!

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Why would this be a waste of time? If you don’t want to clean bronze, why would you watch the video?

[@BrianFrenchinternet-marketing]

Fake bronze....

[@DavidHarperAntiquesTV]

Real bronze