How to finish a tree stump carving?

Hello again,
I am almost done with my first tree carving which is a 6 foot 'howling dog on rocks'. It is a cotton wood tree stump and still fresh. What is needed to finish and varnish the stump sculptur so it is save from the elements and weather? I like to keep it as natural as possible so no color.
Thanks for any help.
Marcel

As with any carving you are exposing to the elements there is no protection that you can use on a one time basis. I do many of these stump carvings and as I tell my customers is that they need to maintain the carving or it will deteriorate. It is like anything else if you dont take care of it it will break down. I use Sikkens stain for mine I find it is the best, sure it costs twice what the other stains costs but well worth it. twice a year you should give it a coat of Thompsons Water Sealer it is inexpensive. I always telll them you can control what happens above ground but you cant control what happens below the surface. I always leave about a foot or so at the bottom of the carving so that if it starts to rot out I can cut it off and mount it elsewhere. It is also a good idea to do this in case you want to move and then you can take it with you.
Colin

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Colin, I was on another forum and an individual was talking about a product called 'Bristol finish' He liked it and said it held up extremely well for several years, he said it was a two part polyurathane.....something you might check into?

http://www.bristolfinish.com/

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

That stuff looks good! And wouldn't you know, no stores listed for Arizona? Don't they know about our deep water ports? LOL

Dave,
Just finished sending them an email and there is a place in Toronto that sells is and they have also said they would ship it direct from Florida. Thanks for the information I am definatly going to give it a try.
Colin >

Dave they still haven't heard that California dropped off into the Pacific

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

[don]

not yet Randy http://earthquake.usgs.gov/

[squbrigg]

Hey Marcel, are we going to get a look at your Howling Dog carving? I'd like to see that!

Bob