How to Care for Your Hand Casting So It Lasts a Lifetime
Simple, practical tips to keep a hand or foot casting looking new: where to display it, how to dust it, and how to protect it from sun, humidity and knocks.
A hand or foot casting is made to last for generations. A little care keeps the finish bright and the details sharp. These hand casting care tips work for baby, couple and family casts, whether they are in a frame or on a stand.
Where to display your casting
The right place is the easiest way to protect a cast.
- Away from direct sunlight. Strong sun can fade painted and metallic finishes over the years.
- Away from moisture. Avoid bathrooms, kitchens and walls near water pipes, especially during the monsoon.
- Somewhere stable. A shelf or wall where it will not be knocked by children, pets or doors.
- Not above a stove or heater, where heat and smoke can discolour the finish.
A framed shadow box is the best protection: the glass keeps dust and hands away from the cast.
How to clean a hand casting
- Dust gently with a soft, dry paintbrush or a clean make-up brush. Brush along the fingers, not across them.
- Use a soft, dry cloth for the frame and glass.
- Never use water, sprays or cleaning liquids on the cast itself. They can damage the paint.
- For the glass, spray cleaner onto a cloth, never directly on the frame.
Protecting metallic finishes
Gold, silver and bronze finishes look their best when they are kept dry and handled as little as possible. In humid cities, a closed frame helps a lot. If your cast is on an open stand, dust it regularly so dust does not settle in the creases.
Handling and moving
- Hold the frame or base, never the fingers of the cast.
- When moving house, wrap the frame in bubble wrap and pack it upright in a box, marked "fragile".
- Keep the original box if you received one: it is the safest way to store or move the cast.
Small chips and repairs
Even with care, accidents happen. Small chips in the paint can often be touched up by the studio that made the cast. If the cast is damaged, contact your studio before trying any glue or paint at home; the wrong product can make the repair harder.
Make it part of your home
A casting is meant to be seen. Many families hang it in the living room or nursery, at eye level, where it starts conversations and brings back memories every day.
Looking for a new keepsake, or a gift for family? See our hand impression packages or browse the shop for casting kits.
