[Woodcarver] Re: oxidizing of cherry wood

[Ivan Whillock]

Bob, I've carved a lot of cherry wood through the years and never had a situation where the color didn't eventually even out.  

In fact, I recently completed a cherry wood carving for a customer that had laid uncompleted for many years.  Out in the sun, the color evened out in a short while.  After finishing, the new carving was undetectable from the old.

Therefore, out of curiosity, I'm wondering how much time elapsed between the first part of the carving to the last?  

Another possibility is the staining that may have taken place from your hands as you worked.  Many beginners rub over their carvings again and again, removing chips, testing the texture, even enjoying the feel of the wood itself.  That all adds body oils, etc. to the surface which colors it.  I've seen beginners' carvings "body-oiled" to a dark patina.  

If it's a project that you like, instead of abandoning it, why not try cleaning it, say with mineral spirits, to see if the surface evens out that way?  Also, a cherry stain should both bring out the grain and even out the color for you.

(As an aside, a good hint for all carvers is to remove chips by blowing them away or using a brush, avoiding going over the carving with the fingers as much as possible.  And, of course, keeping the carving covered between sessions is always a good idea.)


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bob & Barbara Davison 
  To: woodcarver at six.pairlist.net 
  Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2005 9:15 AM
  Subject: [Woodcarver] Re: oxidizing of cherry wood


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  Thank you for your replies. I might have to write this one off to experience, because it would take a while to re-work the oxidized area. I will make a new carving and take greater care this time to protect it from UV while I am carving, as suggested by Ivan. I will also look into the UV protective properties of wood finishes.

  Bob D



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