Care and maintenance for Sculpture and furniture

Sculpture

Unless otherwise stated beside the work, all sculptures are designed for use outdoors, as well as inside.

Slate sculptures 

Where used, armature consists of stainless steel and exterior grade substrates.  The mortars, adhesives and grouts are high-quality and weatherproof.

Only non-ferrous metals are used for decoration in outdoor designs, so the sculptures will not rust.  However, metals such as copper, brass, lead and pewter will develop a patina through exposure to the elements.  These may be cleaned in the appropriate way if you wish, although many people simply enjoy their sculpture’s ageing process.

I love using slate because of its beauty and durability.  The slate is cleaned, sanded and waxed, which makes it wonderfully tactile.  Slate needs little maintenance, although an occasional application of clear wax and a buffing will retain its maximum tactile appeal and indefinite protection from the elements.  Stone sealants may also be used if you live in an extreme weather area.

Wood and stained glass sculptures 

The timber used in wood sculptures is reclaimed.  It is sanded to bring out its natural beauty, remove splinters and smooth divots in the wood.  It is then treated with a minimum of two coats of exterior Osmo UV Protection Oil.  Because of the oil’s quality and durability, the sculpture will not need another application for many years.  The stainless steel legs are set into the wooden body of the sculpture for maximum strength.

The glass panels are made with a variety of glasses, depending on the desired effect.  The panels are soldered and cemented in the time-honoured traditional way to strengthen the structure and to prevent the glass from rattling. Sometimes the lead is blacked, if the effect will enhance the sculpture.  If necessary, the glass may be cleaned from time-to-time with a propriety window cleaning solution.