Caring for outdoor statues in Irish weather

Irish weather is less extreme than it feels, but it is relentless. The main enemies of an outdoor statue here are standing water, the freeze-and-thaw cycle in winter, wind, and the green film of algae and moss that grows on anything damp and shaded. Direct sun matters less than in hotter countries, though over years it does soften painted colour.

Marble is the traditional material for statues that stand outside all year, and many Irish grottos and churchyards have marble figures that have been there for generations. Resin can stand outside when it is finished for it, but painted colour is the part that ages first; a sheltered spot keeps it freshest for longest. If you are not sure whether a particular resin piece is meant for outdoors, ask us before you place it.

Wash off moss and algae gently once a year, ideally in spring, when the worst of the winter is over. Use lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap and a soft brush — a soft nailbrush or a washing-up brush works well — then rinse with clean water and let it dry.

Never use vinegar, lemon juice, bleach or descaling products on marble. Marble is a calcium-based stone and acids etch it, leaving a dull, rough surface that cannot be polished back at home. Avoid wire brushes, scouring pads and pressure washers, which can pit the surface and drive water into the stone. If a statue has heavy staining or lichen that will not shift with gentle washing, a stone conservator or a monumental mason is the right person to ask.

Treat painted resin like a painted garden door: rinse it, do not scrub it. Wipe it down with a soft cloth and plain water, or a barely damp cloth with a drop of mild soap, and keep solvents and abrasive cleaners well away — they lift paint.

Over years, the colours of a resin statue that stands in the open will soften. That is normal. Moving it to a sheltered spot, a porch or a covered grotto slows the process a great deal. If the paint is chipped by a knock, it can be touched up, and our guide to cleaning and repairing indoor statues covers what is sensible to try at home.