Stained Glass Care & Maintenance
Why does stained glass needs to be maintained?
If not protected, tin/lead solder will naturally oxidize when exposed to open air. When solder oxidizes it will lose it's shine, becoming grey & dull. The pic above is an example of what the elements can do to stained glass if it's not protected.
This can be easily avoided by using a carnauba based wax or polish to seal out the elements. We recommend doing this every 1-2 years depending on humidity level the stained glass piece resides in.
All of our pieces come already sealed & polished by us using Liva polish at our studio before you get them, but unfortunately that polish doesn't last forever. We strongly recommend re-applying the polish to your stained glass investment on an annual basis.
Just follow the 3 easy steps outlined below to keep your glass piece shiny & protected:
STEP 1: Clean & Dry:
STEP 2: Apply Carnauba Polish:
STEP 2: Apply Carnauba Polish:
Clean the glass surface & solder using a soft cloth or non abrasive sponge with warm soapy water. Dawn dish soap is what we use & it works great. Always be careful to only scrub the front of the stained glass & not the backside of the glass. Scrubbing the backside could damage the protective coating & colored paint on the backside of the glass. Once done, rinse off any soap & gently dry the piece using a soft towel.
STEP 2: Apply Carnauba Polish:
STEP 2: Apply Carnauba Polish:
STEP 2: Apply Carnauba Polish:
Once your piece is completely dry, apply your polish with a soft clean terry cloth. It doesn't take a lot of polish to get the piece waxed, you don't want to soak the piece with it.
Put the polish on your cloth, then squeeze the cloth together so it's absorbed into the cloth, but not soaked with polish. You just want to leave a thin film of polish on the piece. Using circular buffing motions with a mild amount of pressure, work the polish into every nook & cranny of the solder. As you buff it in, you will notice that your cloth may get some dark markings on it. This is good. This is the polish removing any oxidation that has accumulated on the surface of the solder.
Your main objective is to seal & protect the solder from air exposure. The glass really doesn't need protection, but it will also be left with a lasting high gloss shine. Once you've applied the polish allow it to dry for 15 minutes, or until it becomes a dry hazy film on the glass & solder.
We exclusively use Liva Stained Glass Polish & highly recommend it. Liva polish is specifically designed for stained glass. It does a fantastic job of removing oxidation & leaving a long lasting & protective shine on the glass & solder. Click the picture for a link to it on Amazon.
FYI: This is not a paid link, we just recommend it because it does the best job.
STEP 3: Buff & Polish:
STEP 2: Apply Carnauba Polish:
STEP 3: Buff & Polish:
Once the polish has dried, it's time to buff off it with a clean & soft terry cloth. Again using circular motions with a mild amount of pressure, buff every nook & cranny to remove any excess polish & reveal the shiny solder & glossy glass underneath.
By following the 3 easy steps here, your piece is protected & will remain as striking as the day it was created! :)