The Care of Bronze Art
Whether your bronze is an investment or a matter of art appreciation, it is important to know how to properly care for your sculpture. Bronzes are relatively care-free. Regular dusting is the minimum of care it requires. If you do find a need to clean your bronze more thoroughly, please refer to the suggested cleaning processes listed below.
CLEANING A BRONZE
Remove dust with a damp sponge. To dislodge imbedded material from deep crevices, try using a toothpick, though proceed carefully. Do not use metal objects or wire brushes. Do not apply abrasives, such as cleaners; these materials will scratch the finish.
POLISHING
Polishing will give your bronze a bright clean look. Any of the following procedures may be used in polishing a bronze figure. All are safe to apply on any type of finish.
SILICONE GUN-POLISHING CLOTH
To bring out natural-looking highlights, rub the figure vigorously with the silicone-treated cloth.
TRANSPARENT LEATHER PRESERVATIVE
Apply the preservative to a soft damp cloth and wipe it over the surface of the bronze. Next, rub the surface with a dry, soft cloth. The more you rub, the higher the luster.
LIGHTWEIGHT LOCK OR WATCH OIL
Apply the oil with a long bristled paint brush. Cover the entire figure with the oil. Allow the oil to set, so that excess oil can drip off; after a few minutes, wipe the surface gently with a soft cloth, thus leaving the figure with a pleasing moist look.
SPRAY WAX
For general, everyday upkeep, clean your figure with a spray wax, such as Pledge, and a soft cloth. This will give it a protective wax finish and alleviate dust, which can destroy a patina.
John Bascom