[Woodcarver] Finish for cottonwood bark carving

[Matt Kelley]

At the moment, I have four waxes in the shop:

Briwax Light Brown and Dark Brown -  these are good products but I find them too dark for my bark carcings.

Minwax Paste Finishing Wax -  this is similar in color and texture to Johnson's Paste Wax, although Minwax might argue for better quality.

I've been tinkering with a sample of Renaissance Micro-crystalline Wax -  this is an almost pure white museum-quality paste wax.

The bulk of my carvings get the Minwax Finishing Wax, although a few are getting the Renaissance Wax.   I put the wax on right out of the can with a small stiff brush, working in well, particularly on exterior bark.  With the Minwax I usually apply a pretty liberal coat, typically going back over surfaces a second time.   I generally try to let that sit overnight, then buff up with one of those rotary horsehair buffing brushes that Big Dog Larry stocks.  This gives me a nice soft sheen, which I prefer -  I stay away from glossy-looking finishes by choice.

M
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Matt Kelley: Woodcarver, E-zine Editor, W3E Manager

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On Feb 7, 2012, at 5:46 PM, psherman wrote:


> Matt. When you say paste wax. What kind of wax are we talking about and do

> you apply it cold or do you heat it up first?

> 

> And if you heat it up. How do you do it?

> 

> Thanks.

> Pat sherman