How to clean resin sculptures

We have a wide range of impressive resin sculptures here at Sculpture Gallery, each a joy to behold. Resin sculptures including those in our collection are often 'cold cast bronze' sculptures, which is a mix of bronze powder and polyester resin. Find out more about the cold cast bronze casting process here.

If you have recently picked up a new sculpture from us, you might be wondering the best way to look after it. One of the good things about resin sculptures, apart from their stunning appearance, is that they are a piece of art for the home which will be extremely long-lasting. As with any ornament or surface in the home, you may need to clean a resin sculpture from time to time to ensure that it continues looking great, just as it did on arrival.

Gentle cleaning for indoor sculptures

With a bronze resin sculpture indoors, more often than not you will only really ever need to give them a gentle dusting with a cloth. It can also be useful to give them a wipe with a wet cloth then followed by a dry cloth if they have been touched frequently. This is so as to avoid a buildup of grease. For intricate sculptures with lots of tight angles and fine details, we would recommend using a fine paintbrush. This way, you can get into all of those small areas which might be harbouring dust but with a tool that's going to be soft and not abrasive in any manner.

Light cleaning for outdoor sculptures

Some people like to have their resin sculptures outside and if you are one of them there are some things to consider. A sculpture kept outdoors might need more than a dusting, as outside it will be more likely to pick up mud, grime and even a light layer of moss on its surface over time. The good news is that, as your resin sculpture is happy getting wet, you can simply use a hose or a gentle soak in warm water to get rid of any light dirt or grime which has found its way onto the surface. It should be noted with outdoor resin sculptures that they will not rust. So, if you see what looks like rust, it might be small fragments of steel wool used to finish the sculpture. These can simply be brushed off the piece as they are not part of the bronze itself.

Heavier cleaning

If the bronze resin sculpture has been left outside for years without having a few cleans along the way, then it will likely need something a little more substantial than what's already been mentioned above. Along with water, you might use a resin cleaner, but a standard soapy wash will also be beneficial for getting rid of mossy coverage. As you will need to break down the layer of dirt, you can use some fine steel wool to give the piece a gentle but thorough scrub.

Wax and polish

After cleaning your sculpture, whether it is an indoor or outdoor piece, it is then recommended that you give it a polish. For this you will need some bronze resin wax and a couple of dry cloths. You may also need your handy little brush for intricate sculptures. With a cloth or a brush, work a thin layer of the wax onto the sculpture so that it is evenly coated, then wait for it to dry. You can consult the packaging on your wax of choice to know exactly how long this should take. Then, with a clean cloth, you should buff the wax off, making sure to give your sculpture an extra polish in those areas where it may have been dulled the most. Even though your sculpture may not look dirty, it is recommended that you give even indoor sculptures a clean and wax about once or twice a year.