How to Care For Your Bronze Sculpture

Cleaning and waxing an indoor bronze sculpture at least once a year is recommended, possibly twice a year in humid or corrosive environments. Never use spray or liquid furniture polishes to dust or clean a bronze sculpture as many of these products contain oils that can soften initial wax coatings, thus darkening lighter patinas and/or removing the protective finish. 

XIANGTAI are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.

Cleaning your bronze sculpture:

1. Using a soft, clean cotton cloth, gently wipe the surface free of any dust and fingerprints. We recommend cleaning deeper crevices with a 2-inch paint brush (the cheap "chip" brushes work great for this). Wrap the metal ferrules of the brush with some masking tape to avoid scratching the patina while dusting. 

2. Using a new 2-inch Chip Brush and a can of Johnson Paste Wax (you can buy this at Home Depot or Lowes), lay the bristles of the brush across the wax surface back and forth in a sweeping motion. One or two strokes should do it, you really don't want to overload the brush with wax (especially with Johnson Paste Wax), that will result in a longer drying period and possible wax buildup. There is a possibility that too much wax can harm or even destroy a patina. Therefore, carefully put a super-thin coat of wax on the surface of the bronze in a gentle sweeping motion. Gently work the brush down into the crevices as you apply the wax. Over-waxing a bronze patina can shift and remove pigments suspended in waxes originally placed on the surface as part of the patina.

3. You will be able to tell where you have waxed as the surface will be matte and not shiny. Continue waxing until the entire surface has been covered. Wait about 30 mins until the wax has completely dried.

4. Using a clean, dry cotton cloth, begin gently rubbing the surface of the bronze until the desired shine appears. Work the cloth in a circular motion on the large smooth ares of the surface. If you would like to keep the matte look, you can forgo this final buffing step. 

The following is a list of commercial household products that should never come in contact with the patinaed bronze surface:

• Bleaches

• Oven cleaners

• Glass and porcelain cleaners

• Any other strong or weak cleaning solvents

• Steel wool and scouring pads

• Vinegars

• Plant fertilizers

• Furniture polishes

Other liquids in the form of beverages found in the household which are damaging when they come in contact with patinaed bronze are:

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Bronze Kangaroo Sculptures. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

• Alcoholic beverages

• Soft drinks

• Citrus fruit juices

For more information or tips on caring for your bronze sculpture, we recommend the book "The Care of Bronze Sculpture: Recommended Maintenance Programs" by Patrick V. Kipper

Caring for bronze sculpture in your home is much easier than those in your garden. Indoor bronzes have an easy time of it compared to their large companions outdoors. They are sheltered from the urban air and ever-changing weather, but their environment still has an impact on them and if you want to keep your small bronzes as stable as possible then consider these ten tips.

1: Dust Regularly &#; Don&#;t be frightened to touch a bronze just because it&#;s an artwork. If you use a dry &#; target=&#;_blank&#; rel=&#;noopener noreferrer&#;>micro-fibre cloth or a &#; target=&#;_blank&#; rel=&#;noopener noreferrer&#;>soft brush, you&#;ll be doing a lot of good rather than harm. Caring for bronze involves removing dirt and grime. This prevents reactions between the pollutants in dust and the metal&#;s surface. We all hate more housework, but preventing corrosion is always better than curing it.

2: At least once a year, give the statue a thorough clean. Use &#;>white spirit to remove dirt and grime &#; I use a cotton rag to apply it. Then put a protective coating in place &#; this is one of the best ways of protecting a bronze&#;s surface. Outdoor pollutants from traffic do infiltrate buildings. Over time, they will corrode your bronzes (Grontoft et al, ). Rub on &#;>microcrystalline wax and burnish with a bristle brush or cotton rag as you might your shoes. It will improve the bronze&#;s lustre and retard surface change.

3: Internal materials like wooden floorboards and furniture emit acidic gases such as acetic or formic acid. These will damage your bronzes particularly if airflow is static and if the temperature of a room is likely to fluctuate widely. To care for your bronze sculpture, consider where you locate your small bronzes. Try not to display them in sealed cabinets made from materials containing hard and soft woods or plywood (Gibson, )

Care For Bronze Statues by Not Touching Them

4: Avoid handling your bronzes. If possible, lift your bronzes with a clean cloth rather than touch them directly. Sweat from the hands is acidic and will corrode metal. Wax is only a thin barrier layer.

5: If you are storing a small bronze rather than displaying it. Ensure that the packaging materials are suitable. Do not wrap bronzes directly in bubble wrap or plastic. Houses tend to have poor humidity controls and though it might surprise you &#; bronzes do hold water. When they heat up that water will evaporate and if you&#;ve trapped it in plastic &#; you&#;ll get corrosion activity beneath the plastic.

6: If you accidentally spill red wine, tea, coke or even water on your bronze &#; then run for a cloth! Just because it&#;s not a textile that stains &#; don&#;t assume that the liquid won&#;t do any harm. If you whip it off quickly, then harm is averted. If you leave it to dry out, the metal is likely to etch in the perfect shape of the splash or spill. A little warm water on a clean cloth as dry as possible will enable you to remove the liquid and save your bronze surface. Don&#;t forget to dry your bronze after you&#;ve washed it though &#; that&#;s very important. 

7: Admire your bronze often &#; don&#;t ignore it. If you keep an eye on your sculpture,  you will notice if there is any change occurring. If rapid change occurs within a short period, then the chances are it is being exposed to something. Be mindful, and you could prevent a bigger conservation problem. 

For more information, please visit Stainless Steel Sculpture Factory.