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PATT CONSERVATION
Treatment Proposal
Date: March 4, 2026
City of Culver City
Attn: Sam Lee and Sally Unsworth
Public Art
9770 Culver Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232-0507
RE: Conservation Maintenance of City Hall Plaques, City Seal, The Lion’s Fountain, A Moment in Time, Town Plaza Plaque, Cougar’s I and II, and the Cross Currents Entry Fountain
Overview:
The proposed conservation maintenance is intended to remove accumulated dirt, mineral deposits, and corrosion products from the artworks while stabilizing their surfaces and restoring protective coatings. These treatments will improve the overall appearance of the sculptures and plaques while slowing deterioration caused by environmental exposure, water, and public interaction.
Maintenance will be carried out using conservation-grade materials and reversible methods whenever possible, following ethical guidelines and best practices.
Any unforeseen condition issues discovered during treatment will be documented and discussed with the client before proceeding.
1. Cougar I and Cougar II, Gwynn Murrill
Materials: Bronze
Location: Southeast Corner of Slauson Boulevard and Hannum Avenue; adjacent to Westfield Culver City Shopping Center (6000 Sepulveda Boulevard)
Proposed Treatment:
1. All sculptures will be documented with written notes and digital photographs before, during, and after treatment.
2. The sculptures will be dry dusted with compressed air and soft bristle brushes to remove loose particulate.
3. Any corrosion will be removed using sharpened wooden sticks and scraping implements. If necessary, the previous wax layer will be cleaned of embedded particulate using mineral spirits and cotton cloths.
4. Both sculptures will be washed with Orvus WA, a biodegradable pH-balanced detergent diluted in distilled water.
5. The sculptures will then be rinsed with distilled water and dried with towels.
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6. They will be heated with a large propane torch in sections, expelling trapped moisture and preparing the surface for a layer of clear paste wax.
7. Several layers of clear paste wax will be applied to the heated surface of the bronze using brushes and cotton cloths.
8. Once cool to the touch, the sculptures will be buffed to a shine with buffing brushes and soft cotton cloths.
9. The Identification Plaque will be cleaned and waxed and the surrounding mounting area will be cleaned of debris.
Cougar I and Cougar II
Conservator Fees - $150/hour $900
Technician Fees- $115/hour $690
Materials $50
Reports and Documentation $150
Total $1,790
2. A Moment in Time, De L‘Esprie
Materials: Bronze
Location: Town Plaza, south side the Culver Hotel
Treatment Proposal:
1. The sculpture will be documented with written notes and digital photographs before, during, and after treatment.
2. The sculpture will be dry dusted with compressed air and soft-bristle brushes.
3. Any corrosion will be removed with sharpened wooden sticks. If necessary, the previous wax layer will be cleaned of embedded particulate using mineral spirits and cotton cloths.
4. The sculpture will be washed with Orvus WA, a biodegradable pH-balanced detergent diluted in distilled water.
5. The sculpture will be rinsed with distilled water and dried with towels.
6. The sculpture will be heated with a large propane torch in sections, expelling trapped moisture and preparing the surface for a layer of clear paste wax.
7. Several layers of clear paste wax will be applied to the heated surface of the bronze using brushes and cotton cloths.
8. Once cool to the touch, the sculpture will be buffed to a shine with buffing brushes and soft cotton cloths.
9. The Figure’s hands will then be “taped off” with blue painters tape and plastic will be draped over the entire sculpture except the newspaper.
10. All tarnish will be removed from the newspaper using 800-1000 grit sanding papers and metal polish.
11. The Newspaper will then be washed to remove residues.
12. Black Paint will be applied to the recessed areas of the newspaper and then acetone will be used to remove paint from the raised sections of the newspaper.
13. The acetone will also degrease the bronze and prepare the surface for lacquer.
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14. Once the paint is dry, the newspaper will be coated with Incralac brand lacquer. (Incralac is a conservation-grade metal lacquer with corrosion inhibitors and UV filters.) The lacquer will be sprayed in several thin layers (approximately 5-10).
15. The information plaque will also be cleaned and waxed.
A Moment in Time
Conservator Fees - $150/hour $1,200
Technician Fees- $115/hour $920
Materials $100
Reports and Documentation $150
Total $2,370
3. The Lion’s Fountain, Douglas O. Freeman
Materials: Bronze
Location: Town Plaza between the Culver Hotel and the Arclight Cinema Note: It is expected that this maintenance will need to be performed twice a year due to the sculptures exposure to hard water and public interaction.
Treatment Proposal:
1. The sculpture will be documented with written notes and digital photographs before, during, and after treatment.
2. The sculpture will be dry dusted with compressed air and soft-bristle brushes.
3. Any corrosion will be removed with sharpened wooden sticks.
4. The mineral deposits will be removed mechanically (using sharpened wooden sticks) and chemically (using mineral spirits and naptha). Often his tail, feet, and lower half of the outfit need to be systematically heated and cleaned with mineral spirits in order to remove all mineral deposits. The entire previous wax layer will likely need to be removed.
5. The sculpture will be washed with Orvus WA, a biodegradable pH-balanced detergent diluted in distilled water.
6. The sculpture will be rinsed with distilled water and dried with towels.
7. The sculpture will be heated with a large propane torch in sections, expelling trapped moisture and preparing the surface for a layer of clear paste wax.
8. Several layers of clear paste wax will be applied to the heated surface of the bronze using brushes and cotton cloths.
9. Once cool to the touch, the sculpture will be buffed to a shine with buffing brushes and soft cotton cloths.
The Lion Fountain
Conservator Fees - $150/hour $1,200
Technician Fees- $115/hour $920
Materials $50
Reports and Documentation $150
Total $2,320 X 2 (Twice a year) = $4,640
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4. Town Plaza Plaque in front of rose garden west of the Culver Hotel Treatment Proposal:
1. The Plaque will be documented with written notes and digital photographs before, during, and after treatment.
2. The plaque will be washed with Orvus WA, a biodegradable pH-balanced detergent diluted in distilled water, then rinsed and dried with cotton towels.
3. All tarnish will be removed from the tops of the raised letters with scrubbing pads and high grit sanding papers with a sanding block. Metal polish such as Brasso and Flitz will be used as needed.
4. Once the majority of tarnish has been removed the surface will be polished back to its original shine with cotton buffing pads.
5. The Plaque will then be washed a second time to remove any residue (metal shavings and polish).
6. The bronze will be lightly heated with a small propane torch to remove trapped moisture.
7. Color matched brown epoxy paint will be applied to the background of the plaque with brushes.
8. Once dry, Acetone will be used to degrease the raised letters and remove any overpaint.
9. The base will be covered with plastic and blue tape.
10. The plaque will be sprayed with Incralac (a conservation grade lacquer designed for bronze and brass sculptures in outdoor environments with UV and corrosion inhibitors). The lacquer will be applied in 8-10 thin coats with approximately 10 min between each coat.
Town Plaza Plaque
Conservator Fees - $150/hour $450
Technician Fees- $115/hour $345
Materials $50
Reports and Documentation $150
Total $995
5. City Seal
Materials: Bronze
Location: Outside Council Chambers, City Hall (9770 Culver Blvd.), on the ground Treatment Proposal:
1. The Seal will be documented with written notes and digital photographs before, during, and after treatment.
2. The Seal will be washed with Orvus WA, a biodegradable pH-balanced detergent diluted in distilled water, then rinsed and dried with cotton towels.
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3. All tarnish will be removed from the tops of the raised letters with scrubbing pads and high grit sanding papers with a sanding block. Metal polish such as Brasso and Flitz will be used as needed.
4. Once the majority of tarnish has been removed, the surface will be polished back to its original shine with cotton buffing pads.
5. The Plaque will then be washed a second time to remove any residue (metal shavings and polish).
6. The bronze will be lightly heated with a small propane torch to remove trapped moisture.
7. Color matched brown epoxy paint will be applied to the background of the plaque with brushes.
8. Once dry, Acetone will be used to degrease the raised letters and remove any overpaint.
9. The base will be covered with plastic and blue tape.
10. The Seal will be sprayed with Incralac (a conservation-grade lacquer designed for bronze and brass sculptures in outdoor environments with UV and corrosion inhibitors). The lacquer will be applied in 8-10 thin coats with approximately 10 min between each coat.
City Seal
Conservator Fees - $150/hour $1,500
Technician Fees- $115/hour $1,150
Materials $100
Reports and Documentation $150
Total $2,900
6. City Hall Façade Plaques (2) plus one at first floor entry way to main building Materials: Bronze
Location: 9770 Culver Blvd
Treatment Proposal:
1. The Plaque will be documented with written notes and digital photographs before, during, and after treatment.
2. The plaque will be washed with Orvus WA, a biodegradable pH-balanced detergent diluted in distilled water, then rinsed and dried with cotton towels.
3. All tarnish will be removed from the tops of the raised letters with scrubbing pads and high grit sanding papers with a sanding block. Metal polish such as Brasso and Flitz will be used as needed.
4. Once the majority of tarnish has been removed, the surface will be polished back to its original shine with cotton buffing pads.
5. The Plaque will then be washed a second time to remove any residue (metal shavings and polish).
6. The bronze will be lightly heated with a small propane torch to remove trapped moisture.
7. Color matched brown epoxy paint will be applied to the background of the plaque with brushes.
8. Once dry, Acetone will be used to degrease the raised letters and remove any overpaint.
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9. The base will be covered with plastic and blue tape.
10. The plaque will be sprayed with Incralac (a conservation grade lacquer designed for bronze and brass sculptures in outdoor environment with UV and corrosion inhibitors). The lacquer will be applied in 8-10 thin coats with approximately 10 min between each coat.
Plaques
Conservator Fees - $150/hour $600
Technician Fees- $115/hour $460
Materials $50
Reports and Documentation $150
Total $1,260
7. Cross Currents Entry Fountain
Artist: Don Merkt
Materials: Stainless Steel and Concrete.
Location: Transportation Facility Courtyard
Treatment Proposal:
1. The fountain will need to be drained several days prior to our work.
2. The sculpture will be documented with written notes and digital photographs before, during, and after treatment.
3. The basin interior will be covered with plastic drop cloths.
4. All loose corrosion and deposits will be removed with sharpened wooden sticks and scrapers. Plastic and wood implements will be used instead of metal to avoid scratching the surface.
5. The minerals that are more strongly adhered will be treated with heat and a poultice of vinegar to soften them; they will then be removed with scrub pads and scrapers.
6. The areas of spalling corrosion will be treated with a controlled application of phosphoric- acid–based corrosion removers.
7. Once the minerals and corrosion have been removed, the artwork will be further cleaned with distilled water, Orvus Detergent, and nylon or hair scrub brushes.
8. The surface will be dried with cotton towels.
9. Clear Paste Wax will be applied to the surface to reduce the adherence of minerals over time and provide a sacrificial layer to remove at the next maintenance.
Cross Currents Entry Fountain
Conservator Fees - $150/hour $1,200
Technician Fees - $115/hour $920
Materials $100
Reports and Documentation $150
Total $2,370
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Estimates
Costs are inclusive of labor for a conservator and technician, insurance, materials, travel, and documentation, including photography and written reports.
Sculpture Annual Cost
Lion Fountain $2,320 X 2 (Twice a year) = $4,640
A Moment in Time $2,370
Cougar’s 1 and 2 $1,790
Cross Currents Entry Fountain $2,370
City Seal $2,900
Town Plaza Plaque $995
City Hall Plaques $1,260
Total $16,325