The two-inch murtis of Bade Baba are made of bronze. They have a patina finish, which is protected with a coating of nontoxic wax.

This patina finish is produced by a chemical process. The wax coat applied to the murti following the patina process helps to avoid your exposure to the various chemicals used and also to prevent the surface of the murti from becoming discolored. Over time, the acids in fruits and vegetables, skin oil, and even the oxygen in the air can affect the patina’s color. For this reason, you must clean the murti on a regular basis.

The instructions below will help you to maintain the murti’s natural beauty for years to come.

• Wear a pair of clean, dry cotton gloves or use a clean cotton cloth each time you handle or dust the murti. This will prevent the salts and oils from fingers and palms from leaving residues that can create uneven stains on the murti’s surface over time.
• Do not wear rings, watches, or bracelets when cleaning the murti as the metal can scratch its surface.
• Dust the murti with a soft brush or cloth. If you use a paint brush, the metal part should be wrapped in tape.
• Regular dusting of the murti helps maintain its pristine surface.
• If needed, on rare occasions you may wash the murti as follows:
• Use a mixture of mild liquid soap diluted in distilled water. A soft cloth or sponge reaches most of the body, and a soft brush or cotton swab is good for details.
• Do not soak the murti in water. Minimize the amount of time that soap and water are in contact with the bronze by rinsing the murti promptly after washing.
• Dry the murti thoroughly with a soft, clean cotton cloth.
• Each time the murti is washed with soap, it must be rewaxed.
• The recommended wax for use on the murti is Renaissance Wax, which is a blend of food-grade waxes and is noncorrosive to bronze.
• Rewaxing according to the following directions will avoid wax buildup:
• With a brush or soft cloth, apply a single, thin, even coat of wax to the murti. The wax will dry almost immediately. Once it does, buff the murti with a soft, clean, dry cloth and/or a clean brush.
• If you use brushes, be sure that a different brush is used for applying the wax than the one used for buffing.
• Once the wax is applied, the solvent evaporates, leaving an inert coating of wax.
• Due to the chemicals used in the patina finish, do not ingest the water that has come in contact with the murti.

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