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.
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. 30 Second Outdoor Cleaner can be bought here and Amazon. It is safe to use in your garden, just rinse the foliage or grass with water within 10 minutes. 30 SECONDS Outdoor Cleaner breaks down when you rinse it into the soil.
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 thru cure in ideal conditions. Allow the elephant to thru 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.
TEMPERATE CLIMATE
SPRING/SUMMER
The calm sunny climes of spring and summer are the best times to re-varnish the elephants to ensure the lantana stays healthy. 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. Tung oil acts like a sun block for the elephants, protecting the lantana from drying out and becoming brittle. If you’re experiencing a particularly hot summer, we suggest an additional oiling to keep the lantana nourished and strong.
AUTUMN/WINTER
During the adverse weather of the autumn and winter months, we recommend temporarily storing the elephants inside if you have a suitable outhouse, barn or other covered area. If you don’t have an elephant-sized space available inside, the elephants are also happy underneath a terrace or a shady tree to help protect them from the worst of the snow, frost and rain. The smaller calf sculptures can be moved by two people, so we suggest relocating them to a covered area during the winter months, if possible.
If moving your elephant is going to prove too difficult, you can protect your elephant using a temporary cover. We recommend loosely draping a sheet of tarpaulin over the sculpture, ensuring it covers the entire sculpture from head to toe.
It’s crucial that your elephant is completely dry before applying the cover and that, once dressed, your elephant is still able to breathe! Any trapped moisture can be harmful to the lantana over time. Once the adverse weather has passed, remove the cover and allow the sculpture to fully dry.
TROPICAL CLIMATE
DRY SEASON
Periods of dry and sunny weather are the best times to re-varnish the elephants to ensure the lantana stays healthy. 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.
Tung oil acts like a sun block for the elephants, protecting the lantana from drying out and becoming brittle. If you’re experiencing a particularly hot summer, we suggest an additional oiling to keep the lantana nourished and strong.
WET SEASON
During prolonged periods of wet weather, we recommend temporarily storing the elephants inside if you have a suitable outhouse, barn or other covered area. If you don’t have an elephant-sized space available inside, the elephants are also happy underneath a terrace or a shady tree to help protect them from humidity, rain, and the strong UV rays the Florida sunshine can bring.
The smaller calf sculptures can be moved by two people, so we suggest relocating them to a covered area if a storm is on the horizon. If moving your elephant is going to prove too difficult, you can protect your elephant using a temporary cover. We recommend loosely draping a sheet of tarpaulin over the sculpture, ensuring it covers the entire sculpture from head to toe.
It’s crucial that your elephant is completely dry before applying the cover and that, once dressed, your elephant is still able to breathe! Any trapped moisture can be harmful to the lantana over time. Once the adverse weather has passed, remove the cover and allow the sculpture to fully dry.
