Zurück
Care instructions for outdoor wooden sculptures
Wooden sculptures in the garden are not a problem in themselves if a few aspects are taken into account.The right wood for long-lasting wooden sculptures
In our latitudes, robinia wood is one of the most durable woods that can be used for outdoor wooden sculptures. It is extremely hard and weather-resistant. Other good woods are sweet chestnut and oak, which are also very durable due to the tannins they contain.
Where is the best place to place the sculpture?
The best location for wooden sculptures would be under a roof so that the sculpture is not so exposed to the weather. This would also make less durable woods suitable. Otherwise, a place in partial shade is ideal, where there is no full sun, but where there is some sun to dry out - so not too shady and damp.
How is a durable wooden sculpture constructed?
The base of the sculptures is always sealed with French marine varnish or tung oil to prevent water from seeping up through the wood of the sculpture from below.
It is important:
- There should be a slight gap of a few millimetres between the sculpture and the base so that no water can accumulate and the wood can dry out properly.
- The base for the wooden sculpture should be large enough to protect the sculpture from splashing water (rain hitting the ground).
The right care for outdoor wooden sculptures
I always treat the wooden sculptures for the garden with linseed oil and beeswax beforehand. This provides good wood protection that lasts for some time.
Of course, you can also do without oiling and waxing the figures - they will then turn a silvery grey. This is a natural protective reaction of the wood, as the silvery patina reflects the sun's rays.
However, if you want to preserve the original appearance of the wooden sculpture as much as possible, you should maintain it regularly - but this is not a major effort.
Regular care of wooden sculptures:
On a warm day in spring and autumn, go over the wooden surface of the sculpture with an oily cloth.
Shake the wood protection oil well beforehand so that the black iron pigment is evenly distributed.
In autumn, wax the sculpture after oiling, especially in places where water could penetrate.
Apply the wood care wax thinly with a cloth, wait 20-30 minutes and then polish.
Caution: Allow the cleaning cloths to dry in the open air - risk of spontaneous combustion!
The patina of the wooden sculpture regenerates itself again and again through moisture. However, slight greying (as a natural protective function) cannot be completely prevented.
Recipe for wood protection oil and wax
Priming oil (1 part linseed oil varnish + 1 part balsamic turpentine) + a little black iron oxide (approx. 1 flatly spread 1 tablespoon per 500 ml).
You can get this in good paint shops or artists' supplies such as Boesner).
You can also use simple wood care wax (should be a natural wax, with beeswax and a small amount of canau wax),
Heat the wax slightly in a water bath and mix in the iron oxide black again, perhaps one tablespoon of pigment per 300 gram tin.
You can buy the ingredients in a good paint shop or from artists' supplies such as Boesner.
www.boesner.com
