Conservation Projects: 1998

Abraham Lincoln
by Max Kalish (1929)
Cleveland Board of Education
Cleveland, OH

Conserved November 1998.

The missing eagle relief was modelled in wax, based upon the image of the eagle which remained on the pedestal of the monument. The eagle was then cast in silicon bronze by the classical investment process. For reproduction of the missing letter, a mold was made from the existing letter "T" from the word "Statesman" on the back of the pedestal, which was then translated into a wax positive and cast by the classical investment process in silicon bronze. Weep holes were opened; small cracks, separations and porosity holes were sealed with hard pigmented microcrystalline wax. Cleaning of all bronze was done with ground walnut shell air-abrasive and medium pressure water. After washing and patination, a corrosion inhibitor was applied and rinsed. Two wax formulations were used for a protective coating. The initial wax was applied using a hot wax method which allows for permeation and effective sealing. Two subsequent coats of wax was applied to cold metal and then buffed with soft brushing when cooled.

Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Monument
by William Walcutt (1860)
Fort Huntington Park
Cleveland, OH

Conserved November 1998.

The conservation involved four steps: coating removal, caulking, patina, and wax coating. The paint coating on the bronze portions of the monument needed to be removed. To do this, the stone of the base was protected by masking and plastic sheet and Peelaway 5 was applied to the bronze. After one application of this chemical paint stripper, the residue was removed by hand tools. The cleaned bronze appeared bright tan/gold color due to having been air abrasive blasted in the past. Old caulk around the granite was removed. The main figure was lifted and permanently placed on lead spacers so that the under side of the sculpture could be washed and allowed to air dry. The bronze was patinated using potassium sulfide/water solution applied with heat. A second application of patina was applied and rinsed with cold water. The bronze was waxed with a mixture of microcrystalline waxes applied to the surface with heat. After the surface cooled it was buffed with brushes and cloths.

George Washington
by William M. McVey (1972)
Washington Square
Cleveland, OH

Conserved August 1998.

George Washington was cleaned using a a diluted mild detergent. The bronze plaque was removed from the granite base. A weep hole was drilled (to assist drainage and help prevent accelerated corrosion) in a low point of the scroll held by the figure. Heavy accumulations of corrosion products on the bronze were removed with brass brisle brushes and pads. The letters and raised border of the plaque were polished. A hot pigmented wax was applied to the statue and plaque by using propane torches. Cold wax was then applied. The bronze surfaces were buffed when dry. The plaque was re-mounted to the base, which was also treated and buffed.

If you would like more information about outdoor sculpture conservation and associated educational activities, please contact The Sculpture Center at 216.229.6527.