‘Like stripping off its outer layer of skin’: Expert warns polishing Statue of Liberty would be ‘damaging’

An AI-generated video showing the Statue of Liberty being polished to a shiny bronze color has captured millions of views on social media. The video shows the famous monument being restored to what appears to be its original metallic state. However, experts have warned that attempting such a restoration in reality would cause serious damage to the structure.

The viral video, which garnered over 10 million views on X, presents an interesting visual but one that misunderstands the nature of the statue’s green appearance. The distinctive green color that the Statue of Liberty displays today is not dirt or tarnish that needs cleaning. Instead, it is a protective layer that has formed naturally over more than a century of exposure to New York Harbor’s harsh environment.

According to Newsweek, art history expert Erika Doss from the University of Texas warned that polishing the statue would be like “stripping off its outer layer of skin.” She explained that the green patina is what protects the statue’s very thin copper covering, which measures less than 2.4 millimeters thick. In some areas, the protective green layer is more than a millimeter thick, meaning it makes up a significant portion of the statue’s surface protection.

Why the green coating protects the statue from damage

The National Park Service, which maintains the Statue of Liberty, has consistently rejected proposals to polish the monument. A spokesperson explained that the green patina acts as a shield against the extreme conditions of New York Harbor, including high winds, salt water, and air pollution. When copper is exposed to these elements, it naturally oxidizes and develops this protective coating over time.

The chemical process behind the green color involves several stages. Initially, the copper reacts with oxygen to form copper oxide, which appears reddish-brown. Over years of exposure to moisture, carbon dioxide, and other atmospheric elements, this layer transforms into various copper compounds, including basic copper carbonate. These compounds create the distinctive blue-green appearance while forming a stable barrier that prevents further corrosion.

Removing this protective layer would expose the underlying copper to immediate weathering and corrosion. The statue would likely begin developing the same green patina again within a few years, but the process of polishing would make the copper skin even thinner and more vulnerable to damage. The restoration would also require repeated applications of sealants and coatings, taking months to complete.

When the Statue of Liberty was first erected in 1886, it displayed the natural copper color similar to a penny. By 1906, just twenty years later, the surface had transformed into the green protective layer visitors recognize today. This transformation was a natural and beneficial process that has helped preserve the monument for over a century. Understanding how viral content can sometimes mislead viewers about complex topics highlights the importance of expert knowledge in evaluating such proposals.