Restoration of large sculptures comes with unique challenges and some major troubles. It requires specialised tools, skills and proper strategy. 

Here, we’ve listed a few major challenges that every sculpture restoration expert faces. 

No. 1 is Structural Integrity. 

Every restoration expert knows that large sculptures get weakened over time. It leads to the possibility of cracks and breaks during restoration. 

There are multiple factors that contribute to the sculpture’s weakening. 

• Weathering: Metal degradation is a common problem if any sculpture stands in direct rain, storm and temperature fluctuations. 

• Temperature Changes: Repeated cooling and heating causes extraction and contraction over time, which leads to fracture and breakdowns in metal sculpture. 

• Moisture Peneteration: Water can seep into tiny cracks of sculpture. It leads to corrosion in metal components. 

Material Degradation 

Materials like stone, metal or wood degrade differently. It depends upon the environmental factors (e.g. rust, erosion, or rot). 

Understand the original material and use compatible solutions for restoration purposes. It helps in better restoration without any further damage to metals. 

Environmental Impact

Weathering, pollution, and biological growth (like moss or algae) can significantly deteriorate the surfaces. 

The following are a few changes that have occurred in sculptures due to environmental impact.  

• Colour Alteration: Moss and algae can easily change the colour of the sculpture, which provides it with a greenish or brownish hue. 

• Texture Modification: The growth of moss and algae can also disrupt the texture of the sculpture. It will make it look more organic and weathered. 

• Increased Weight: Excessive growth of moss and algae can add significant weight to the structure. 

Using weather-resistant coating or solutions will help. It’s a delicate yet essential task. 

Access & Logistics

Large sculptures are often in public spaces or remote locations, making transportation and on-site work a little tough. If you want professional onsite sculpture restoration in the UK, Then you can contact us. 

Utilising specialised transportation equipment would be beneficial. Use custom-made trailers, cranes or lifting. It will make transportation procedures seamless. 

If possible, disassemble the sculpture and take it to your workshop. However, disassembling it is not possible for all sculptures. The best option is to look for local or onsite sculpture restoration services in your area. 

(We are one of the most trusted and reliable onsite sculpture restoration services provider in the UK)

Preserving Artistic Integrity

Maintaining original artistic integrity is a crucial yet difficult task. This restoration task becomes more sensitive with limited historical records. 

Documentation and research is necessary. Make a list of its history, materials used, and record of previous restorations till now. 

Use reversible treatments. This treatment is quite effective in metal restoration, which gives better results without damaging the original artwork or sculpture. 

Remember the policy of minimal cleaning. Frequent cleaning is definitely not a good option for historical sculptures. If cleaning is needed, then soft cleaning methods and solutions can be utilised for better results. 

Costly Process!

Funding is one of the most significant problems in large sculpture restoration, especially if it’s a historical figure. For historical sculpture restoration, it’s better to opt for government and public funding to choose top-notch onsite sculpture restoration in the UK. 

The Bottom Line 

Large sculpture restoration is a blend of art, engineering, and science. Addressing these challenges requires collaboration among experts, meticulous planning and innovative solutions. 

Choose Bespoke Patination today for the best onsite sculpture restoration in the UK.