One of the questions we get asked a lot is... How do I protect my Solar Statues from the elements? Being based in Australia, we obviously have the harsh sun to content with throughout most of the year. However, we also send our Solar Statues all over the world, so we've seen them end up in all sorts of environments - even including snow. So it's important to understand what we can do to help prolong the life of our statues, and keep them looking their best for years to come.
Luckily, the first thing you should understand is that the synthetic resin used to create most of our Solar Statues is by itself an extremely durable material, able to withstand all but the most harsh of environments. This means you usually shouldn't have to worry about temperature changes or heavy rains from a structural point of view. Resin is in fact becoming very popular due to the combination of it's light weight, heightened detail and structural integrity. It can also be finished to mimic the look of stone, metals or porcelain.
If you happen to live in an area where extreme heat or cold is an issue, we recommend placing your Solar Statues in either partial shade, or off the ground where practical - to prevent possible cracking from expansion/contraction, however unlikely that may be.
Over time, your Solar Statues will naturally weather and develop a character of their own. Many people prefer this effect, and to each their own. For those people who would like to maintain that 'out of the box' look for as long as possible, we recommend the application of some clear acrylic or UV protectant spray. These are available from your local hardware store for a few dollars. As much as we would love to be able to offer these through our website, strict aviation rules concerning the transport of combustible gases prevent us from doing so.
UV SPRAY
A thin coating is all that is required, with our manufacturers recommending one coat every 6-12 months where possible, depending on your local conditions. Please ensure that all surfaces to be treated are free of any dust or debris, as this can cling to the spray if not removed. A certain amount of fading over time is to be expected, especially if your Solar Statue is left in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time.
REPAINT
Paint starting to fade? Or don't like the colour of your Gnome's hat? No problem - just change it. You can either touch up the odd patch here & there, or get creative and repaint entirely depending on your preference. Any acrylic hobby paint should work just fine, all you'll need is a brush and a steady hand. Just finish off with a coat of UV protectant spray to shield your paint from the elements.
CHIPS & SCRATCHES
Like most things in life, your Solar Statues may be susceptible to the odd scratch, bump, or break over time. If this happens, don't panic - a little bit of super glue will usually do the trick. You may need to support larger breaks with some tape whilst the glue dries, but once done just touch up with some paint and you're good to go!