SCULPTURE CARE GUIDE
Each elephant sculpture has been meticulously crafted to the highest standard using dried lantana camara intricately wrapped around a bespoke, anatomically precise, steel rebar frame. To protect the lantana camara, each elephant has been coated with Osmo Oil before it leaves the artisanal workshops in Southern India.
The elephants will look their most majestic when displayed outside in the wilds of your garden; but like any piece of artwork made from natural materials, they are vulnerable to the wet conditions of winter. To preserve their magnificence, please follow this recommended care guide.
CLEANING YOUR ELEPHANT
Over time, you may notice some natural blackness appearing on the back and head of the elephant. This is a normal characteristic of Lantana Camara and can be easily removed by giving your elephant a refreshing bath. To keep your elephant looking as good as new, we recommend using 30 Second Outdoor Cleaner. It is safe to use in your garden, just rinse the foliage or grass with water within 10 minutes - it will break down when you rinse it into the soil.
Attach the cleaning solution to a garden hose, spray evenly onto the surface of the elephant and let the product sit for up to 5 minutes. Then, using a stiff bristle brush, brush the surface following the grain of the lantana. Continue brushing until you’re satisfied that the majority of the blackness has been removed.
To finish, give your elephant a thorough rinse with clean water. Be sure to allow your elephant to dry completely before applying Tung Oil for added protection.
APPLYING TUNG OIL
Ensure the elephant is completely dry before applying Exterior Polymerized Tung Oil in Medium Lustre. Ideally, the elephant should be placed indoors or under a waterproof covering during the cleaning and coating process.
Using a wide brush, apply a thin coat of Exterior Polymerized Tung Oil to soak in. After 15 minutes, with a dry brush remove any standing or puddled oil. Use a natural bristle brush for application.
Wait until the finish is dry to the touch, where a finger slides on the surface. DO NOT coat if finish is not dry, since subsequent coats may remain “tacky”. Dry time typically is 24 hours, air flow can assist in drying. For coat 2 and 3, apply a thin coat of Exterior Polymerized Tung Oil with a brush, where after 15 minutes use a dry brush to remove any standing or puddled oil. Use a natural bristle brush for application.
Exterior Polymerized Tung Oil can take about a day to dry to touch, although about a week to fully cure in ideal conditions. Allow the elephant to fully cure before returning it to its outdoor display. Sutherland Welles Exterior Polymerized Tung Oil in Medium Lustre can be purchased through here. About 1.5 gallons is sufficient for 2-3 coats on our largest tusker.
For quicker application, a high volume low speed sprayer can also be used to apply the Tung Oil and can be purchased here.
Whilst the elephants are designed to live outdoors and happily make themselves at home in the wilds of your garden, in prolonged periods of wet, snowy or icy weather, we do recommend moving them indoors or covering them to keep them dry and warm. Please see details for specific climates below. If you have any questions, please do contact us here.
temperate climate
SPRING/SUMMER
Tung oil acts like a sun block for the elephants, protecting the lantana from drying out and becoming brittle. We recommend cleaning and applying 2-3 coats of Exterior Polymerized Tung Oil to each elephant at least4 times a year, every 3 months or so, during a period of dry weather. If you’re experiencing a particularly hot summer and feel your elephant is parched, you can add in an extra oiling to your care routine.
AUTUMN/WINTER
In periods with a lot of rainy, snowy or icy weather, we recommend temporarily storing your elephant inside if you have a suitable outhouse, barn, terrace or other covered area. The smaller calf sculptures can be moved by two people if winter weather is on the horizon, but if you are unable to move your larger elephant or you don’t have a big pachyderm sized space available, you can use a cover. We recommend loosely draping a sheet of tarpaulin over the sculpture, ensuring it covers the entire elephant from trunk to toe and is not wrapped too tightly. Spacers should be placed between the elephant and the cover, so the lantana can breathe. It’s crucial that your elephant is completely dry before applying the cover as any trapped moisture can be harmful to the lantana over time.
tropical climate
DRY SEASON
Tung oil acts like a sun block for the elephants, protecting the lantana from drying out and becoming brittle, whilst helping protect it from humidity. We recommend cleaning and applying 2-3 coats of Exterior Polymerized Tung Oil to each elephant at least 4 times a year, every 3 months or so, during a period of dry weather. In this very hot climate, you may find that your elephant is feeling dry between your regular Tung Oil applications, in which case you can add additional oiling to keep the lantana nourished and strong. Keeping the lantana well-fed with oil stops it from getting thirsty and soaking up too much water when it rains.
WET SEASON
In periods with a lot of wet weather, we recommend temporarily storing your elephant inside if you have a suitable outhouse, barn, terrace or other covered area. The smaller calf sculptures can be moved by two people if a storm is on the horizon but if you are unable to move your larger elephant or you don’t have a big pachyderm sized space available, you can use a cover. We recommend loosely draping a sheet of tarpaulin over the sculpture, ensuring it covers the entire elephant from trunk to toe and is not wrapped too tightly. Spacers can be placed between the elephant and the cover, so the lantana can breathe. It’s crucial that your elephant is completely dry before applying the cover as any trapped moisture can be harmful to the lantana over time.
mediterranean
Spring/Summer
Tung oil acts like a sun block for the elephants, protecting the lantana from drying out and becoming brittle. We recommend cleaning and applying 2-3 coats of Exterior Polymerized Tung Oil to each elephant at least 4 times a year, every 3 months or so, during a period of dry weather. If you’re experiencing a particularly hot summer and feel your elephant is parched, you can add in an extra oiling to your care routine.
Autumn/Winter
In periods with a lot of wet weather, we recommend temporarily storing your elephant inside if you have a suitable outhouse, barn, terrace or other covered area. The smaller calf sculptures can be moved by two people if a storm is on the horizon but if you are unable to move your larger elephant or you don’t have a big pachyderm sized space available, you can use a cover. We recommend loosely draping a sheet of tarpaulin over the sculpture, ensuring it covers the entire elephant from trunk to toe, and is not wrapped too tightly. Spacers can be placed between the elephant and the cover, so the lantana can breathe. It’s crucial that your elephant is completely dry before applying the cover as any trapped moisture can be harmful to the lantana over time.
mountainous region
Spring/Summer
Tung oil acts like a sun block for the elephants, protecting the lantana from drying out and becoming brittle. We recommend cleaning and applying 2-3 coats of Exterior Polymerized Tung Oil to each elephant at least 4 times a year, every 3 months or so, during a period of dry weather. Where there is strong UV, you may find that your elephant is feeling dry between your regular Tung Oil applications, in which case you can add additional oiling to your routine to keep the lantana nourished and strong. Keeping the lantana well-fed with oil also stops it from getting thirsty and soaking up too much water when it rains.
Autumn/Winter
During the adverse weather of the autumn and winter months, you should temporarily store your elephant inside, if you have a suitable outhouse, barn, terrace other covered area, to protect it from snow, rain or frost. The smaller calf sculptures can be moved by two people, but if you are unable to move your larger elephant or you don’t have a big pachyderm sized space available, you can use a cover. We recommend loosely draping a sheet of tarpaulin over the sculpture, ensuring it covers the entire elephant from trunk to toe, and is not wrapped too tightly. Spacers can be placed between the elephant and the cover, so the lantana can breathe. It’s crucial that your elephant is completely dry before applying the cover as any trapped moisture can be harmful to the lantana over time.
arid/semi/arid
Spring/Summer
Tung oil acts like a sun block for the elephants, protecting the lantana from drying out and becoming brittle. We recommend cleaning and applying 2-3 coats of Exterior Polymerized Tung Oil to each elephant at least 4 times a year, every 3 months or so. In this very hot climate, you may find that your elephant is feeling dry between your regular Tung Oil applications, in which case you can add additional oiling to keep the lantana nourished and strong. Keeping the lantana well-fed with oil stops it from getting thirsty and soaking up too much water when it rains.
Autumn/Winter
If extended periods of wet weather occur, we recommend temporarily storing your elephant inside if you have a suitable outhouse, barn or other covered area. The smaller calf sculptures can be moved by two people but if you are unable to move your larger elephant or you don’t have a big pachyderm sized space available, you can use a cover. We recommend loosely draping a sheet of tarpaulin over the sculpture, ensuring it covers the entire elephant from trunk to toe, and is not wrapped too tightly. Spacers can be placed between the elephant and the cover, so the lantana can breathe. It’s crucial that your elephant is completely dry before applying the cover as any trapped moisture can be harmful to the lantana over time.
