The color on bronze pieces is applied to the surface by a
process called "patination." This is done by skilled artisans
who apply heat and a variety of chemicals to cause "controlled
oxidation," which brings about the many colors you see. This surface
is highly unstable and is very susceptible to the effects of the environment:
such as salty ocean air, high humidity or general pollution found in
cities. To protect this fragile surface a sealer of wax or lacquer is
applied as a final step.
To keep your bronzes looking the best, it is advisable to keep
applying wax as often as necessary. This could be twice monthly in high
danger areas near the ocean, or twice a year in dryer, cleaner places. The
usual recommended wax is carnauba based, like "JOHNSON'S PASTE
WAX." You simply apply a thin coat of wax with a soft bristle brush,
and after it dries, buff to show a polish with a clean, soft cloth (like a
T-shirt). Be careful of jewelry or rings that could scratch bronze
surfaces- my advice is to "take them off." Before you do anything to
your new bronzes, please TEST in an inconspicuous spot, and or call your
dealer!!!
What I do to my bronzes is apply "LEMON PLEDGE" from a
spray can and polish with a soft cloth once a month. I have done this for
years and the bronzes shine up great and the bronze surface is really
durable. I know other people and galleries who have done this too, with
great success. However, there are a lot of people who think that the
"cleaning agents" found in furniture polishes can be detrimental to
the bronze surface. I can only tell you what I do and let you make up your
own mind. Another advantage to "LEMON PLEDGE" is, it's so
simple, and you're very likely to incorporate it as part of your cleaning routine.
This advice has been for indoor bronzes. If your
bronze is placed outdoors, it is very difficult to, if not impossible, to
protect. So, for the outdoor bronze owners, probably you need to enjoy the
changes that do occur. Call your dealer for advice on cleaning and
maintaining your specific bronze in your specific outdoor environment.
Proper and frequent cleaning, with the waxes applied afterwards, will go a long
way to preserving your outdoor bronzes appearance.
