How Do You Select A Wax For Bronze And Other Metal Sculptures?
Often people that own bronze, zinc or other metal sculptures and other works of art, want to clean up and polish their piece at home rather than have it done by a professional. This is perfectly fine as long as the utmost care and consideration is taken. What most people do not realize is that many commercial waxes can produce an acid that can cause damage to their piece. Generally speaking it is recommended to keep most sculptures waxed, particularly if they are displayed outdoors. Raw metal reacts with moisture, air and anything else it comes in contact with such as pollutants in the air or acids in human skin. Extreme direct sunlight can also play a big part in metal damage on outdoor pieces. The right wax provides a protective layer between the metal and damaging elements. It is a common belief that beeswax and carnauba wax are good waxes for metals. The truth is that these waxes can actually produce acid when oxidation and hydrolysis occur and result in damage to metal and acid-se
