U.S. General Services Administration
Technical Procedures Disclaimer
Prior to inclusion in GSA’s library of procedures, documents are reviewed by one or more qualified preservation specialists for general consistency with the Secretary of Interior Standards for rehabilitating historic buildings as understood at the time the procedure is added to the library. All specifications require project-specific editing and professional judgement regarding the applicability of a procedure to a particular building, project or location. References to products and suppliers are to serve as a general guideline and do not constitute a federal endorsement or determination that a product or method is the best or most current alternative, remains available, or is compliant with current environmental regulations and safety standards. The library of procedures is intended to serve as a resource, not a substitute, for specification development by a qualified preservation professional.
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We’ve reviewed these procedures for general consistency with federal standards for rehabilitating historic buildings and provide them only as a reference. Specifications should only be applied under the guidance of a qualified preservation professional who can assess the applicability of a procedure to a particular building, project or location. References to products and suppliers serve as general guidelines and do not constitute a federal endorsement nor a determination that a product or method is the best alternative or compliant with current environmental regulations and safety standards.
PART 1–GENERAL
1.01 SUMMARY
A. This procedure includes guidance on applying a hard microcrystalline wax to bronze. The bronze may be either architectural components or sculpture.
B. This wax acts as a barrier or sacrificial coating and protects the metal and any underlying coatings such as hot wax coatings, paint or protective lacquers such as Incralac.
C. Cold waxing is usually performed as part of a semi-annual washing and renewal of the barrier or sacrificial coating. It is also done following any application of hot wax (see 05010-04-P “Applying Hot Wax to Outdoor Bronze”) or Incralac.
D. For general information on the characteristics, uses and problems associated with bronze, see 05010-03-S.
PART 2–PRODUCTS
2.01 MATERIALS
A. One of the following waxes, or approved equal:
- Bareco Victory White (Petrolite Co.) pigmented with powdered pigment to match the surrounding metal; www.bakerhughes.com
- Butcher’s Boston Polish Wax
- Trewax Clear; www.trewax.beaumontproducts.com
- Butcher’s Bowling Alley Wax; www.bwccompany.com/
B. Soft cotton rags or nylon stockings
2.02 EQUIPMENT
A. Suede brushes
PART 3–EXECUTION
3.01 ERECTION, INSTALLATION, APPLICATION
A. Make sure that previous treatments have thoroughly dried.
B. Apply paste wax to entire surface in smooth circular motions, or in strokes to assure that the entire surface is coated with a thin coat of wax.
C. Buff with rags, stockings or brushes, and allow to dry.
D. Repeat the procedure for areas which are handled by people who may come in contact with the building.