Can a Bronze Flat Marker or Cremation Wall Plate be Re-Finished

This is a question that we are asked quite often. Many people are purchasing a bronze flat marker or bronze cremation wall plates. These Plates and Markers are mostly mounted outside in the grassy lawns or cremation open walls in different parts of the cemetery. These are subject to all the watering, sunlight, rain and smog. After a few years Bronze will tarnish with a green hue to it. It can be unsightly and difficult to read.

Cremation Bronze Wall Plates

All cemeteries in Orange County and Los Angeles such as Pacific view, El Toro Memorial, Santa Ana District and Anaheim Cemetery all have cremation garden walls dedicated to the storage of human ashes. The storage container is called an Urn. Urns can be made of almost any material and placed inside a wall vault. The cremation Bronze plate will have usually the Name, Dates, words of endearment, all small art design and sometimes a color porcelain cameo. These plates are fastened to the walls using 3-M double sided tape.

Bronze Marker

After a few years when the new finish is tarnished we at American Headstones Company can remove the plate from the wall and restore it to a new condition. This plate will be cleaned, painted and fired in our kiln for 100% drying then a sealer coat is placed over the paints. We can then have it installed back on your wall.

Re-Finishing the Bronze Flat Marker

The process only lends itself to items that can be removed from the ground or the wall so we can bake it in our kiln. Re-working on site is very difficult due to the watering schedule. Paint has to dry completely before sealing it hence the need to place it in our kiln. Bronze headstones are generally cemented in place and impossible to remove. Dirt and debris subject to the grass cutting also makes this task very difficult.

When seeking a company to refinish your Bronze plate always talk with them and look at their finished product. 100% of the base paint must be removed prior to applying the new paint. All bronze markers and wall plates have raised Polished letters. The tops of the letters must be shaved clean and leaving very little sanding marks. The sealer is then applied for a minimum of 2 coats.

We offer this service currently for families which purchased urn vaults located at all Orange County district Cemeteries. At American Headstones our work is impeccable and can’t be beat.

The Author

Josh Rapozo

American Headstone Company is a family business located in southern California. We have been in business since 1983 offering beautiful Granite memorial stones and cast Bronze flat markers and Bronze memorial plates. We are Orange Counties premier supplier of granite markers to the cemetery industry, offering both flat and vertical grave markers. Our expertise is in the custom design of each headstone, cremation marker, pet marker, tombstone, granite memorial plate, flat cemetery markers and stone monuments.