[Bell Historians] Cleaning old bells

[Paul Cubitt]

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Carl Scott Zimmerman 
  To: Bell Historians List 
  Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2012 2:01 AM
  Subject: [Bell Historians] Cleaning old bells


    
  Photos in RW articles about bell restoration projects almost always 
  show that the bellfounders and bellhangers respect the antiquity of 
  the bells. New fittings are cheerfully bright with new paint, but 
  the patina of the bells is undisturbed.

  Unfortunately, that respect for antiquity is not widespread in 
  America. The major maintenance firms seem bent on persuading their 
  customers of the "need" for sandblasting or other harsh methods of 
  polishing to make old bells "look like new." I find that practice 
  deplorable, and speak against it when I can, sometimes comparing it 
  to making one's grandmother get a facelift so that one doesn't have 
  to see her wrinkles any more.

  But I'd like to have some more specific recommendations to make to 
  those who are considering renovation projects. Hence this message, 
  with the following question:

  What methods do English bellfounders and bellhangers use to clean 
  grease, bird droppings or other forms of dirt from old bells without 
  disturbing the patina significantly?

  Thanks in advance,

  Carl



  Good question - I have to revisit the chime at Cringleford on the edge of Norwich to tighten the treble to the beam from which it is suspended. The 2nd is attributed to W Dawe  c1400 and is remarkably well preserved (hardly used in 600 years) but the inscription band is covered with bird muck making it impossible to read anything at all. I would like to give it a clean when next up.
             
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