Hello all,
I’ve been asked to give a price to clean this 15ft tall bronze statue. I don’t have any experience with bronze, so I have a couple of questions.
Clemente Spampinato Bronze Sculpture
What’s the best method to clean it?
Suggestions for pricing?
Anything special to be aware of or to ask about?
It’s on a marble pedestal (just thought of that), so whatever I do needs to be safe for the marble too.
Thanks y’all!
Michael in Beautiful Savannah, GA
contact the guys at scratch b gone stainless steel scratch removal. they actual do this type of work and have the cleaners for it. I dont know if their system is available to others though.
Just curious, what are you cleaning off of it? Just dirt and bird poo, or some kind of buildup/patina sort of thing or something like that?
Ok I just looked at the pics. It appears you definetly have a large amount if patina on it. Is this what they want removed? Some people like the patina but don’t want the bird poo or other stuff that has accumulated over the years. Find out exactly what they want before you try cleaning. I would suggest going as mild as possible at first and move up to more aggressive methods if needed. I would also suggest you contact some bronze manufactures or artist and get their input.
Also, do your research online as well as your book store. Here is a link to a possible source of good info. http://http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d.html/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/185-9956750-1334154?redirect=true&v=glance&a=0964726912
Figure out what they want done precisely- before starting, and then proceed with caution lest you ruin the statue and find yourself on the hook for the cost of repair and replacement. If you learn how to do this and do it well- market it and do more of it.
If this is your first time then pricing is hard to say. I guess it really comes down to how long it takes and what you have use to clean it.
As far as the marble base- can you tape it or seal it off with some type of tarp and painters tape, or something along those lines. This will help minimize any potential effects of the bronze cleaning doing some type of damage to the marble should you have to use heavy chems.
Personally, before anything as far as chemicals go, I would try something as simple as mild soap and water on a small inconspicuous spot and see what effect it has. Then go from there with as much information as you can find.
Ok my response should have read. call the guys at scratch b gone 1-760-804-3778. They have a stainless steel scratch removal kit nut also do restorations with other types of metal. I dont know id this is available. But when I bought the scratch removal kit the owner was talking about brass and bronze restorations.
[SIZE=“5”]Great Advice ![/SIZE]
Yo Woody,
Dange talking at you…Your advice is absolutely stupendous, you could not of given Michael better advice.
I remember once a company cleaned a bronze sculpture in my town and didn’t fellow the kind instructions that you gave and he screwed up the patina permanently !
Boy woody you have some great insite in reference to this !
Michael listen to Woody, artists always maintain their art so they might get crazy if someone destroys it !
Dangerous / But I don’t destroy ART !
In what way?
[SIZE=“5”]WAUGH ![/SIZE]
Larry…
It was a news article in my local newspaper, suffice to say the final result was they ruined the patina !
In the article it was stated that there is a particular PROCESS to cleaning bronze ! The guy cleaning was just getting off bird crud , and permanently ruined the patina the the artist was trying come to !
I’m not an artist nor do I clean bronze art so “in what way” I could not explain, only that it was a big issue by the artist and owner of the art in the local paper !
But from the perspective of a window cleaner he should of used a…
[SIZE=“6”][COLOR=“red”]“TUCKER POLE”[/COLOR][/SIZE]…LAUGH OUT LOUD !
Anyway Larry I think Woody sure used his head in the advice he gave ! GOOD JOB WOODY !
The Dange / In dangerous territory !
Hopefully, the petina has since been restored (what irony!)
[SIZE=“5”]absolutely[/SIZE]
Yeah…Bronze sculpture are cool, I’ll have to go by and check it out to see !
I did a house the other day that had a copper roof and the patina was working in nicely (turquoise). It was also great to walk on if you didn’t walk on the seams. The texture was such that there was no slippage under your soles and was rather ruff for lack of a better term.
I’m Dangerous / But sweet !
.
Thanks Dange- just trying to help a fellow out. I didn’t want him to blast it with acid and rinse at 4000psi if you know what I mean.
Like any work of art or other old thing- patience and knowledge are key. If you don’t know what you doing (often times that would be me)- find someone who does, and learn from them.
[SIZE=“6”]IWO JIMA ![/SIZE]
[SIZE=“4”][COLOR=“blue”][FONT=“Times New Roman”][B][I][U][SIZE=“4”][/SIZE]“In honor and memory of the men of the United States Marine Corps who have given their lives to their country since 10 November 1775” [/SIZE]
[SIZE=“4”]“Uncommon Valor Was a Common Virtue.” This is a tribute to the fighting men on Iwo Jima. [/U][/I][/B][/FONT][/COLOR][/SIZE]
Your welcome Woody…
Say in my avatar I’m displaying the memorial statue for Iwo Jima, It’s made out of bronze and I believe that it must be taken care of by people who know their stuff, like the men that it represents ! Waugh !
Dangerous / But not like the danger endured on The sands of IWO JIMA…WAUGH
Thanks Woody and Dange. I’m waiting to hear back from the gentleman about how intensive they want the cleaning to be - and either way I’ll get some info from a bronze specialist on how to proceed.
[SIZE=“5”][/SIZE]
Michael…
Your welcome, I think you got your ducks in a row, good thinking. I hope things work out for you and that you can earn a nice chunk of change !
Really though if you can find the right process this might turn into a real money maker doing other sculptures.
Some old time “Sons of ETTORE” that I knew back when I first started had a side line of fixing and painting flag poles. Knowing how to use block and tackle and or prusik knots they could get up them suckers even on tall buildings, getting them like new again, very impressive.
There are a few guys left doing that sort stuff…Old Dogs…" Sons of ETTORE " Waugh !
So good luck on this new venture !
Dange / On the range
Thanks again for y’all’s help! Did the job on Tuesday. Made over $200/hr. Brushed it dry first, then gently applied a VERY mild soap solution. Brushed that… rinsed, repeated. Sweet deal overall.
It was one of those “Hey, I know you don’t do this… but could you…?” kind of jobs, which I always love, cuz they prove my customers trust me.
Thanks again.
Michael
Cool! Nice job. I wish there were a lot of statues around my neck of the woods cause i would definetly go after the market.
[SIZE=“4”]SO HOW DID IT GO ?[/SIZE]
Howdy Michael,
So tell us what happened with the sculpture cleaning… Did you get to clean it ? Did it turn out good if you did ?
Clue us in ! Thanks
Dange with Range
Hey Mr. Dange,
Yes sir, I sure did do it… just about two weeks ago.
Brushed it dry to get the bird crap off… then applied a VERY mild soap solution. Brushed it with that on… rinsed, and repeated. Then just used straight water with mild pressure on the marble and stone surrounding the statue. Used a bleach solution for the tabby wall behind the statue. Came very nicely, Maintenance Department was thrilled, and I ended up profiting over $200/hr. 
[SIZE=“5”][COLOR=“sienna”]My oh My ![/COLOR][/SIZE][FONT=“Georgia”][/FONT]
Heydie Mr. Mole,
Great, you’ve extended your range !
The Dange
