Iron Statues: Where to Find the Best Ones and How to Take Care of Them

Hey everyone, I’m back with another project! This time, I decided to tackle something I’ve always admired: iron statues. You know, those grand, imposing figures that seem to stand guard over parks and gardens? Well, I wanted one for my own backyard, but buying one seemed a bit, well, boring. So, I thought, why not try to make my own?

First, I scoured the internet for any scrap of information about how to care for these things. I mean, I didn’t want to pour all this effort in just to watch it rust away, right? I found some basic tips on cleaning. It seems like regular cleaning is the way to go, but how regular is “regular”?

I also stumbled upon a guide mentioning a yearly or bi-yearly maintenance schedule. Now that’s something I can work with! Apparently, the frequency depends on the statue’s location. Makes sense, I guess. A statue in a sunny, dry area probably needs less attention than one battling the elements by the coast. I kept digging. I discovered that outdoor metal sculptures are more prone to wear and tear than indoor ones. This was obvious, but it made me think about the weather in my area.

Then I hit a bit of a snag. Most of the resources I found were focused on pre-existing statues. I wanted to build one from scratch! I mean, I wanted to cast the iron and everything. I dove deeper into the process of casting iron. Turns out, it’s a pretty involved process. You need a mold, molten iron (obviously), and a whole lot of safety gear. I read about different types of metals that can be used for sculptures, like bronze and stainless steel, but I was set on iron. There’s just something about the raw, rustic look of iron that I love.

I decided to start small. Instead of a full-sized human figure, I opted for a smaller, simpler design – a majestic-looking dog, about a foot tall. I figured this would be a good way to test the waters before committing to a larger project. I sketched out my dog design, making sure to note all the details and dimensions. Then, I set out to create the mold. This was a whole adventure in itself! I used a special type of sand, packed it tightly around a model of my dog, and then carefully removed the model, leaving a perfect impression in the sand.

Next came the exciting (and slightly terrifying) part – melting the iron. I borrowed a small furnace from a friend who’s into metalworking (thanks, John!). With his help, we heated the iron until it was glowing orange and liquid. Then, very carefully, we poured the molten iron into the mold.

After letting it cool for a whole day, I cautiously broke open the mold. And there it was! My iron dog! It was a bit rough around the edges, but I was thrilled! I spent the next few days cleaning it up, using a wire brush to remove any excess sand and a soft cloth to give it a gentle polish. I learned that using a mild detergent and water is the best way to clean these things without damaging the surface. Also, a soft towel or brush works great for cleaning while it’s wet.

Finally, I placed my iron dog in my garden, where it now stands proudly among the flowers. It’s not perfect, but it’s mine, and I made it with my own two hands. I already started thinking about my next project – maybe a life-sized knight this time? We’ll see!

• Step 1: I researched basic care and cleaning of iron statues.
• Step 2: I learned about yearly maintenance schedules.
• Step 3: I decided to make a small iron dog statue as a test.
• Step 4: I created a mold using sand and a model of the dog.
• Step 5: I melted iron and poured it into the mold.
• Step 6: I cleaned and polished the finished statue.
• Step 7: I placed the statue in my garden.

So, that’s my iron statue adventure. It was a lot of work, but totally worth it. I hope this inspires some of you to try your hand at something new and challenging. You might surprise yourself with what you can create!