The rust coming off the ball now that it has soaked in freshwater for 2 weeks rule out the possibility of it being bronze - darn. Now I just have to figure out how to treat it once the immersion in freshwater treatment is over. I don't want it to rust, in Bermuda that's a problem as even stainless steel rusts badly here. I was thinking black rustoleum paint, what do you think?
BDA
BDA