After long term use for decoration and exposure of custom bronze sculpture, there may be some damage on surface of bronze sculpture. Bronze is the art form that transcends time, and it should be enjoyed for generations. Maintaining bronze sculptures can be straightforward with the right knowledge. So it is necessary for clients or owners of sculptures master some basic skills you may need to deal with basic defaults during the usage. Here we share some ways to solve common problems you may encounter for your reference.

For daily maintenance, please do not use solvents like Lysol or Pledge to clean your bronze. These things may remove the seal and make your bronze even more vulnerable to unwanted color change. Do not use steel wool, stiff brushes or abrasive pads to clean its surface unless your intention is to remove the patina and expose the bare bronze. Be sure to follow the proper maintenance schedule of instructions.

For the loss of lacquer seal. You can reseal with clear paste wax or shoe polish for brown patinas for basic recover. For light patinas, use a medium maroon pad to bring out the bronze luster, then reseal with paste wax. This will revive the piece with a new patina, but it won’t get it back to the original.

Calcium buildup from exposure to water. Firmly wipe the calcium off with a damp rag. If the calcium has been on too long, remove it with a medium Scotch-Britt, then reseal with clear wax for light patinas and Kiwi brown shoe polish for dark patinas. This method will not get the bronze back to the original color, but it may revive the patina.

Chemicals reaction leads to weird color: Live with the new color or have the patina redone. Avoid using notoriously unstable chemicals. If the patina has gone dark: Embrace the natural aging of the bronze or plan to have the patina sandblasted and redone periodically. Apply brown Kiwi wax/shoe polish to liven up a dark patina. If the patina has gone green: Embrace it by putting a coat of paste wax over the surface or have the patina redone. If there are scratches on the bronze, call a professional and describe the nature of the scratches to see if there is a quick fix or if more aggressive methods are needed for repairs.