CLEANING AND REWAXING: (EVERY TWO YEARS)

1. Clean off dust and debris with a dry soft cotton cloth or a soft bristle brush to clean out the crevasses.

2. As a precaution against possible scratches while cleaning and waxing it is a good idea to wrap the metal ferrule on the brush with some masking tape.

3. Check patina for other contaminants such as fly spots or food from sticky fingers. Use a damp cloth to remove these, and then dry it off.

4. Brush wax (I recommend Trewax, Clear natural paste wax with carnauba or Johnson’s Paste Wax) onto the sculpture. Use a cheap disposable brush from Home Depot. Don’t put a heavy coat of wax on because this can leave unwanted residue of wax in the recesses that can be removed by picking it out with a toothpick. Don’t use any type of sharp metal tool to do this.

5. Once the wax is dry, buff it out with a soft cotton or flannel cloth. If desired you can apply a 2nd coat of wax and buff it out for better protection.

Never use cleaning solvents or cleaners to remove contaminants from a bronze surface such as porcelain cleaners, furniture polish, armour all, glass cleaners, vinegar, etc.

Don’t use wire brushes, steel wool or 3M Scotchbrite pads. These can rub through the patina’s thin layer and expose the metal.

TOOLS NEEDED:

1. A couple of brushes, nylon or natural hair bristles.  One for cleaning and one for putting the wax on. As a precaution against possible scratches while cleaning and waxing it is a good idea to wrap the metal ferrule on the brush with some masking tape.

2. Wax – Trewax or Johnson paste wax.

3. Clean dry clothes for cleaning and buffing (cotton or flannel)

CLEANING AND REWAXING: (EVERY 3-6 MONTHS)

1. Should be done every six months during warm weather unless affected by sea water or sprinklers, then every three months during warm weather or it can be mildly heated with a torch not exceeding a few hundred degrees.

2. Remove loose dirt from the sculpture using running water. You can use a nozzle on your hose but keep the pressure turned down.

3. Mix in a plastic bucket a mild, neutral or non-ionic detergent with water. Dip a fiber (non metallic) or plastic bristle brush into the soapy water and gently scrub the bronze surface, working one area at a time until you complete the sculpture. “DO NOT CLEAN SCULPTURE UNLESS IT IS RE-WAXED.” (This will leave the sculpture vulnerable to corrosion and permanent damage.)

4. You can either allow the bronze to dry off naturally or dab the surface dry or blow off with compressed air. Any pockets or pools of water must be dried by soaking up the water with a clean towel. Otherwise mineral deposits can form on the surface.

5. Brush wax a light coat (I recommend Trewax, Clear natural paste wax with carnauba or Johnson’s Paste Wax) on the entire surface, it then can be buff it out. A second coat of wax can be applied if desired. Don’t put a heavy coat of wax on because this can leave unwanted residue of wax in the recesses that can be removed by picking it out with a toothpick. Do not apply wax on the sculpture unless it is completely dry. A warm sunny day is the best time to clean and wax the sculpture.
   

TOOLS NEEDED:

1. A couple of brushes, nylon or natural hair bristles. One for cleaning and one for putting the wax on. As a precaution against possible scratches while cleaning and waxing it is a good idea to wrap the metal ferrule on the brush with some masking tape.

2. Wax – Trewax or Johnson paste wax.

3. Clean dry clothes for cleaning and buffing (cotton or flannel).

4. Plastic bucket, large soft nylon or natural hair bristle brush.