Sculpture Repair Information

Can I repair your sculpture?

• What I can (generally) repair
  • Stone sculptures that can be shipped or delivered to me in the San Francisco Bay area. I can also examine and pick up sculptures in the area in some cases.
• What I can't repair
  • Jewelry.
  • Glass.
  • Some particularly hard stones.
  • Works with large missing pieces. I won't attempt to carve replacements for something done by another artist.
  • Museum quality or high value pieces. Since I don't have specific training in restoration I don't work on such things.
• What I might be able to repair
  • Just about anything else is worth asking about. I have some experience with working in metal and plastic, some ceramics can be glued, and so on. Each case will be different.

What I need to know

I'll also want to know as much as you can tell me about the piece: who made it, how old it is, the actual stone or other media involved, how it was damaged, and so on. Are any pieces missing? How is the piece displayed and viewed? How critical is the repair itself? Will it be easily visible and inspected closely regularly? How is the stone finished - wax, polyurethane, something else, nothing?

This information feeds into my decision about whether I should undertake the work or not, and how to make the repair if I take it on.

What a repair entails

A particular problem with stone damage is bruising: white areas created when the stone hits something hard. If such bruises are shallow they may be filed and/or sanded off. If they are deep they are probably permanent, as any repair would change the shape of the stone too much.

Repaired areas have to be finished or sealed in a way that matches the original finish as best as possible. Often the owner of a sculpture doesn't know how it was finished, so I do the best I can.

Obviously the specifics are totally different for other media, and may differ for a specific stone repair. Every repair, therefore, is handled on a case by case basis.

It is important to note that no repair is ever perfect. Anyone claiming they can repair a work and leave the repair completely invisible is probably wrong. Even the best color matched epoxy will show, and so on. Repairs on translucent stones are particularly problematic, and I may advise against repairing them at all depending on the specifics.

I've documented both a stone repair and a resin repair to show some of what is involved.

What it costs

Currently I charge $50 per hour for my labor. The number of hours can vary widely, from just a few on up, so the estimate is critical. In addition, I charge for unusual or extensive materials. In California, repair work is not subject to sales tax, but some related things are taxable. Again, the estimate will cover the specifics.

I will notify you before doing additional work if I discover something unexpected that would raise the price.

I don't usually require a deposit, and payment is via cash or check when the work is complete and returned to you. At this time I do not accept credit cards.

How the process works

Do NOT send me a sculpture without contacting me first and discussing the specifics of the project.

If I think the work is something I can do we'll discuss the specifics. I may feel the need to see the piece before giving a full estimate, but that varies. Once you've accepted the estimated cost we'll arrange to get the work to my studio. I'll perform the repair there and contact you when it is done. I may provide updates along the way if the work is particularly complex or takes a long time.

The time to accomplish a particular repair varies with how busy I am and the nature of the repair itself. Generally you should plan on a few weeks at a minimum. Again, we'll discuss the specifics ahead of time.

Who else can do a repair?

• Contact local art schools (usually at colleges and universities) and ask if they know anyone who does restoration in your area. You might need to talk specifically to someone teaching the medium in question to get a referral, rather than to someone in the department office.
• Contact local art museums and ask if they know of a restoration specialist they can refer you to. This is a particularly good idea if your piece is valuable or by a noted artist.
• Do an Internet search for artists and/or restoration specialists in your area. As with me, you might find a local artist willing to attempt the repair.