Due to the additional elements found outdoors, any item placed in an exterior location will require regular care and maintenance. The level and regularity of care needed will depend largely on the type of metal or material used to create your sculpture as well as your location. For example, aluminium items require less regular maintenance than a cast iron piece, whilst those living nearer the coast will need to increase their maintenance schedule due to the additional salt content in the air. To help you keep your garden sculpture or ornament in good condition, we have created this detailed guide. To determine the metal or material used to create your product, please see individual descriptions. As a general rule of thumb for all items placed outdoors, the following advice should be followed:

• Metal products will require additional care and attention when used in close proximity to the sea. The same rule applies to products used within large cities or built-up urban areas due to the increased pollution in the air.
• Do not use chemical cleaners on any metals or finished products in case they harm the finish or remove any protective coatings. This includes all household cleaners.
• We advise covering or bringing all garden metalwork indoors during the wetter parts of the year. Particularly during adverse weather conditions such as frost, periods of particularly wet weather, high winds and snow.
• Sculptures must be adequately secured in position, either through ground anchoring or a concrete pad with fixings to enable the sculpture to be removed when required for instance for maintenance.

A more comprehensive guide of each material can be found here. If you have any further questions about any of our products or are in doubt about a particular product’s material, please do get in contact via email at [email protected] or via telephone on 01691 610952.

Left untreated, cast and wrought iron products will develop a surface rust over time as the outdoor elements react with the metal and cause it to corrode. This does not affect the integrity of the iron and will instead add a beautifully rustic patina finish to the piece. Because of the higher maintenance required to keep iron from taking on this natural patina, iron products are best recommended for those who prefer the aged appearance of the metal. Most of our cast iron products are supplied untreated, unless otherwise stated. For repainting advice please see the ‘Painted Finishes’ section below.

Although incredibly robust, iron is prone to breaking or cracking when dropped or hit with force so please take care when manoeuvring your iron item. We advise bringing iron sculptures indoors during moments of high wind to avoid any damage. 

Our steel products and authentic sculptures are untreated, unless otherwise stated and are supplied in a primer coat or base coat only. Untreated iron and steel will develop a surface rust over time if exposed to moisture. Many people find this ‘aged’ patina attractive and choose to leave their products untreated however, if you want your metalwork to remain in a good condition, we recommend 6 monthly or annual maintenance in the form of a full re-paint using a metal-based paint of your choosing. As part of this maintenance it is recommended that a review of the sculpture is carried out to check for signs of aging that could be mitigated with maintenance or treatment.

Upon installation of your product, it is advised that any cracks, chips or scratches are touched up with a metal-based paint to prevent water further protect the area. An alternative method for protecting the original finish of the piece is to apply a universal clear lacquer. Our personal preference is to use a clear yacht varnish, which is particularly effective if you would like to preserve more intricate or detailed paint finishes. This is typically applied within the first three to six months to ensure the lacquer is applied while the original paintwork is at its be

Heavy rainfall can cause a staining known as ‘French bleed’ at the fixing points or around the bolted areas. This is simply discolouring and will not affect the integrity of the metal. ‘French bleed’ can happen the first time a product gets wet and will normally not deteriorate any further. To remove, lightly sand the affected area with 00-grade wire wool and apply a coat of paint suitable for use on metal. Our iron sculptures are made from recycled metal and therefore may require more extensive repairs over time due to their inherent nature. Due to being recycled there will be natural erosion over time being exposed to the elements. This can involve light metalworking and fettling in areas prone to water damage where water can enter. These are not watertight sculptures, and when exposed to rain or damp corrosion will occur. These repairs can be easily completed by a time served metalworker and It is recommended that the sculptures are checked regularly for signs of ingress to prevent damage. Authentic oil drum and recycled sculptures require more cleaning and regular treatment as corrosion will occur over long periods of time

As aluminium doesn’t rust in the same way as iron or steel, it requires very little maintenance when placed outdoors. Despite this, any painted finishes or additional affects will still require yearly touch-ups. As with any other outdoor item, we advise bringing your aluminium sculpture or ornament indoors during particularly adverse weather conditions to help preserve the lifespan of any existing finishes. Grime or dirt build-up over time can cause the metal to stain so we do advise regular surface cleans using a damp cloth and mild soap. When handling aluminium products, be wary of sharp objects as the surface of the metal is susceptible to scratching.

Resin, as a material, requires very little maintenance as it will not react with any outdoor elements when placed within an exterior location. However, resin sculptures can develop surface dirt and grime when exposed to the outdoors for long periods of time. To keep your item looking shiny and new, we recommend regular cleaning with a damp cloth and a non-abrasive cleaner such as mild soap or washing up liquid. As with any paint finish, this will require touch-ups or a full repaint when and if required.

Although particularly resistant to moisture, resin is prone to cracking when exposed to frost and ice. It is advised to bring any resin pieces indoors when freezing temperatures are threatened. Resin should also be handled with care when manoeuvring as it is easily breakable if dropped or hit with force.

Ideally, all wooden items that are placed outdoors should be placed within an under cover area throughout the year. Wooden items or items with wooden elements should always be brought indoors during the colder and wetter seasons of the year as wood is particularly susceptible to rotting and corroding when exposed to water and moisture in the air. Unless otherwise stated, most of our wooden sculptures are treated with a lacquer or varnish to preserve the exterior of the material. This will require annual sanding and re-varnishing using a suitable varnish in order to fully protect your item. 

For all hand-painted sculptures and ornaments, we recommend a regular paint touch-up as and when is required. In most cases, this touch-up or repaint will only be necessary once a year but, in certain locations, this may be required more regularly. During winter months we also recommend hand-painted sculptures are stored in under cover areas to ensure they are not exposed to the worst of the elements. For the majority of paint touch-ups, we recommend a metal-based paint such as Hammerite which is available from most good hardware stores.

For aluminium items, we do not recommend metal-based paints. Instead, if you are undertaking a full repaint, we advise you to sand down your product using a wire brush followed by three coats of BEDEC Multi-Surface Paint mixed to your desired shade.