Polishes That Work Wonders on Bronze Metal Tables
Metal tables tend to last a long time without requiring much upkeep. But occasionally, minor maintenance might be needed if you want your furniture to look brand new.
If you’re thinking about polishing metal furniture, note that not all metal polishes are created equal—so what should you know about selecting the right polish? Here’s the advice we typically give to the furniture owners and designers we work with.
Using Polish on a Bronze Metal Table
The first thing to know about bronze furniture is that when you leave it exposed to moisture and air for long periods of time, it will develop a greenish discoloration—what’s commonly known as patina. Some people like the patina, thinking it makes their table look more rustic or authentic.
For those who don’t want the patina, there are a couple of basic polishes you can use to wipe it away. These are good, safe options for keeping your bronze table clean-looking and shiny.
Two Types of Bronze Cleaner
After trial and error, we have found that the product “Tarn-X” works best for large surfaces. All of the tarnish removers have chemical compounds that will cause discoloration if left on the metal for too long, so it’s best to do a large piece in small manageable sections rather than applying the product to the entire table.
Heavy tarnishing can be a bit more stubborn to remove. If your metal is finished with a high level of polish, you can ruin it with abrasives like Scotch Brite and sand paper, which will produce a matte finish when used. If you have a heavily patinated surface and its important to retain the level of polish, use stainless steel wool with soap and warm water, then use the tarnish remover as you normally would.
Cleaning a bronze piece that has more of a matte finish is much easier and you can skip the chemicals all together, using a spray bottle with water and a “fine abrasive” pad—again, like Scotch Brite. The higher the abrasiveness rating of these pads will leave deeper and more pronounced scratches in the metal, so the finer the better. Give the metal a few days to balance out after burnishing and the burnish marks (tiny scratches from the abrasive pad) will blend in with the rest of the surface.
Additional Tips for Polishing Bronze
Before polishing your bronze metal table, it’s always important to wipe thoroughly with mild soapy water—removing any dust or debris from the piece.
If your table has little indentions or crevices in its surface, you may wish to use a soft toothbrush to work the polish into those spots.
Polishing takes some time and patience—so don’t be discouraged if you have to repeat your polishing steps two or even three times.
Learn More About Maintaining Bronze Furniture
The bottom line for designers and owners is that bronze metal furniture is pretty low-maintenance—but from time to time, a little polish can be just the thing for enhanced luster.
To learn more about maintaining your bronze furniture, keep tabs on the Doud Studios blog—and don’t forget to check out our current furniture and art pieces on 1stdibs.