CARE OF BRONZE, CLEANING AND WAXING
Note: Some of our newer editions have a lacquer finish and do not need to be waxed. Dust lightly with a soft cloth and your good to go. But on the older editions follow instructions below for care.
- GENERAL CARE FOR ALL BRONZES
- Wax every four to six months with Neutral Kiwi shoe polish, which can be found in most grocery, shoe stores, Walmart or like stores.
- Apply a light coat of wax to entire surface using a soft cloth or your hand, being careful not to get build up in crevasses or creases. Let dry for approximately five minutes. Buff lightly with a soft cloth, (save this cloth in plastic bag and us exclusively for your bronzes) avoid rubbing to hard on ridges as patina (color) will eventually wear off and leave a gold highlight.
- Wood bases should also be waxed using same process.
- General cleaning can be done using the same dust cloth and gently wiping off dust. Do not use a cloth that has been used for general dusting of furniture.
- CLEANING AND POLISHING HIGH POLISH AREAS (bronze polished areas)
- Simi chrome bronze polish, available is sports, hardware, and jewelry or motorcycle shops.
- Precaution: no not get bronze polish on patina areas, (colored) it will remove the patina. If some accidentally lands on the patina area wipe immediately with soft cloth or paper towel.
- Application: take a small amount on tip of folded paper towel or Q-tip and apply to area you wish to clean. Clean small areas at a time wiping immediately with soft paper towel, buff to a glowing shine. Continue on until all areas are clean.
- Natural deepening gold is desirable, try to avoid touching the polished bronze, as this is what makes stain marks.
TROUBLE SHOOTING
- Wax in the creases of bronze will appear whitish. To remove this buildup, reapply wax to soften old wax. Take a pointed stick covered with a cloth and gently remove the build up while wax is still wet.
- Can’t clean or dust rough areas? Try using a soft paint brush
- Avoid placing sculpture in hot direct sunlight if possible. Sunlight darkens bronzes over time and can activate the green base patinas causing some red marbling. (This can be beautiful) Sometimes excessive moisture can affect the color causing dark colorations to appear, this is temporary and will disappear with dryer air.
If you have concerns or questions, you may contact us at: 907-563-3362