Maintenance

The establishment of a suitable programme of care and maintenance is key to reducing the risk of damage to works of art. Much of the conservation or restoration work we carry out has only been made necessary by lack of good, regular maintenance.

In the first instance, thorough inspection by a qualified conservator is required to identify if there is evidence of active corrosion, physical damage, structural failure or failed surface coatings.

Outdoor objects require regular (but not necessarily frequent) cleaning to remove organic materials such as bird guano, plant material, algae and inorganic airborne pollutants, and the reapplication of protective coatings, where appropriate. Indoor objects similarly require monitoring and cleaning with the appropriate techniques and frequency to prevent damage. These techniques are specialised and should only be carried out by qualified conservators, or people who have received specific training for such activities.

Painted sculpture and ironwork will need regular monitoring and maintenance and its paint coating reapplied every five to ten years depending on the type of paint used, the environment and the use to which the object is subjected.

We plan and carry out practical maintenance for many institutions and private clients, particularly on outdoor sculpture and metalwork.