Care & Maintenance

Congratulations on your acquisition of a unique bronze sculpture, an artistic investment designed to provide generations of pleasure and enjoyment. Crafted primarily from copper and other non-ferrous metals, each bronze sculpture is meticulously handmade by artisans using the "Lost Wax" casting method, which excels in rendering lifelike details in metal sculpture. The Lost Wax casting process, unchanged since Roman times, involves several steps over a six-to-eight-week period. The result is a richly finished, vibrant, and lifelike piece of bronze sculpture. For more information on the Lost Wax Casting Process, please visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost-wax_casting. To ensure you maximize your enjoyment of this investment, please take a moment to read the following important information:

Appearance of the Finished Sculpture: Lost Wax sculptures are handcrafted to ensure a rich, unique, and artistic quality to the finished piece. Slight imperfections and blemishes in casting and finishing are normal by-products of the casting process. No two pieces are alike. Handmade sculptures will have a distinct character rather than a perfect, machine-made appearance. Cavities in open pieces (e.g., urns, fountain bowls, etc.) typically exhibit a rough appearance, and the blending of patinas in the finishing process often varies to give the piece a unique, artistically rendered quality. These qualities contribute to the timeless appeal of Lost Wax bronze sculpture through the ages.

Casting Residue: During the final stage of the casting process, light powder is used in the moulds to facilitate separation from the metal sculpture. Small traces of powder residue often remain on the finished sculpture, reappearing as a white, powdery substance typically noticeable in crevices and difficult-to-reach areas. Mild soap (e.g., Ivory dish soap), warm water, and gentle scrubbing with a soft, nylon brush (e.g., an old toothbrush) will remove the powder. Often, two or three cleanings will be required to completely eliminate the residue.

Cleaning and Caring for Your Sculpture: Bronze sculptures will weather and age over time, acquiring a rich, venerated appearance. Many people prefer the aged, antique look of weathered sculpture, especially in areas with adverse weather conditions. Others prefer a new appearance. If you prefer the former, simply leave your sculpture outside and allow nature to take its course. For those who prefer an “as new” appearance, the following information is essential:

Factors that Cause Bronze Sculpture Aging & Weathering

Since bronze is an active, primarily copper-based alloy, no process will completely eliminate the gradual aging effect caused by exposure to the elements. However, there are measures you can take to slow down the natural weathering and aging process, thus providing your sculpture with long-lasting protection and significantly diminishing the aging process.

• Cleaning: The cardinal rule in caring for your sculpture is to NEVER USE SOLVENTS to clean it. Glass cleaners, furniture polish, and other solvent-based products will remove the patina from the sculpture. Use only warm water, mild soap detergent (e.g., Ivory dish soap), and a soft nylon bristle brush or sponge to clean your sculpture.

• Sealing (weather coating): Your sculpture can be coated with sealers and UV inhibitors prior to shipment. This is a long-lasting coating process (up to 10 years) designed to maintain a protective barrier between the sculpture's metal surface and the natural elements. Although weather coating will seal and protect your sculpture from the elements, it will not prevent water spotting, which is particularly prevalent in hardwater regions. If you wish to have your sculpture sealed prior to shipment, please contact us. We provide this service at a modest cost to our customers.

• Waxing: Waxing your sculpture once or twice annually (or more frequently in severe weather zones) with 100% Carnauba wax that contains NO SOLVENTS will provide effective protection from rain and UV radiation, as well as minimizing water spotting. The best place to purchase wax for bronze is sculptnouveau.com.
• Sealing and Waxing: Combining weather coating with regular waxing will provide the best possible protection for your sculpture. Adding regular coats of wax on top of the sealer will offer maximum protection and also minimize water spotting, keeping your sculpture as close to “as new” condition for as long as possible.
• Non-Ionic Water Treatments for Fountains: The use of untreated water in your fountain will cause mineral build-ups and scaling over time. This is a naturally ocurring process, and is more pronounced in regions where the natural water supply is "hard"; i.e., the water has higher concentrations of minerals and other natural substances. Mineral build-up can be greatly minimized by treating your fountain's water supply with non-ionic water treatment solutions, which are sold on Amazon and other website retailers. These additivies neutralize mineral deposits, and make your water "slippery" which redcues water spots. Using these consistently will help keep your fountain and pump in good condition and maintain the visual appeal of your sculpture.   

If you have any further questions about your new sculpture or wish to have our experts seal your sculpture prior to shipment, please feel free to contact us at your convenience.

Sincerely,

The Bronze West Imports Team